Roon Streaming Service actually Degrades the sound

I’ll add my $.02.

It would appear to be equipment dependent. In my case, I was a subscriber to Roon and, out of curiosity, tried streaming the same file using Lighting DS (Auralic’s software).  I dropped Roon the same day.  Incidentally, I was running Roon Core on a higher end Mac Mini solely dedicated to it with a solid state drive and 16GB ram.  I wasn’t using Roon to upsample or process in any way - it was a true straight shoot out. If I had been, perhaps I would have gotten different results.  Regardless, the reduction in sound quality was unacceptable.  I have heard indirectly that Auralic has tried to address this recently such that Roon might sound better now on my gear. I no longer have interest in spending the $ to find out as LDS works well too. 

So, as in all things audio - YMMV. 

Sure glad I do not use streaming as a source for critical listening or use a server.

I stream for finding new music and artists. I want my stream to sound good but I am not going into the weeds looking to match the sources I have in analog and cd. 
 

Not interested in chasing that dragon. 

@jerryg123

I don’t quite understand your post? Not too long ago you started a thread asking, ‘Wondering what improvements I can made to my streaming end’

If you’re not interested in learning ways to improve streaming sound then why post here or even start a thread? I’m sorry to say but there no magic wand available that will transform your Node 2’s sound to analog or cd sound. 

sonic79

26 posts

12-10-2021 2:58am

Does this streamer maker have objective proof Roon degrades sound quality? Actual measurements that prove degredation of the signal?
 

Objective measurements are a tool to get better sound quality but they don’t constitute better sound quality. Measurements do not represent sound quality in its totality. In the end if it sounds better, it is better. Or if it sounds worse, it is worse.

Yours in music,

Ted Denney III

Lead Designer/CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

I’ve done A/B comparisons between Roon and using the Lumin app that works with my Lumin Streamer / DAC.  I’ve used 2 different cores, both laptops that when being used as the core we’re running no other programs, they were hardwired to the modem.  I’ve had both cable internet and now fiber optics, highest speed / bandwidth tiers available.  

As another member mentioned in this thread, I wouldn’t say the sound is degraded when using Roon but it doesn’t sound as open, full bodied.  The highs are a little harsher and the mid / lows a little less defined.  Not a huge difference but enough of a difference that I use the Lumin app which I’m not a big fan off.  Roons interface, ability to play albums in order, create personal playlist / stations based on your musical tastes is way better.  Along with the DSP functionality which is awesome.  
 

Unsure why there is sound quality difference, guessing both the Lumin app and Roon are providing the same bit quality.  I’ve been on the Roon forum and a Lumin representative is active and adamant both provide the same level of bit quality.  
 

Maybe if I went all in and had a dedicated standalone core but I can’t logical understand how that would provide any better performance than a adequate laptop running nothing else but Roon, no way Roons requirements should overload the laptops capabilities with no other programs running that I can see.  If sound quality is better with just the Lumin App and nothing else in between the streamer / DAC seems like putting a core in the middle of that and having it potentially lowe the quality / performance is silly.  

I’m not knocking Roon at all, I think it’s a great product.  Those however that are stating anyone who hears a difference in SQ when comparing Roon to other available streaming options are wrong, my ears say different.  Could it be my set up absolutely it could but on paper my set up is more than enough to provide optimal performance for Roon to sound its best.