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Roon confusion

I'm a bit confused about what Roon and its endpoints are doing in certain configurations.  First I should probably summarize the development of  my systems over the past few years.

1. Originally I was running a networked media server with audio and video content.  The video fed several streamer boxes driving TVs.  The audio fed my DAC directly via coax from a sound card.  I used Foobar and eventually JRiver for the audio.

2. Got rid of streamer boxes on TVs and went to Plex for video.  Set up a BlueOS environment for audio.  This entailed 2 Node 2i's on different audio systems and a TV soundbar.  Started using Qobuz, Tidal etc.  CDs started getting dustier and networked audio library fell into disuse.

3. Replaced one of the Node 2i's with Lumin U1 mini on reference system.  Major improvement in SQ.

Now the Roon question arises.  Seems a lot of people are using it with Lumin products and the Bluesound stuff would also work as endpoints.  But somehow it's not clear to me exactly what's going on.  These endpoints are streamers in their own right.  Let's say I make the network server the Roon core and I'm listening to Qobuz.  Is the core working as a kind of master control for the endpoint streamer, telling it to stream Qobuz as directed by Roon?  Or is Roon sending the actual  Qobuz stream to the streamer which just passes it on to the DAC?  Or something else? 

Kinda confusing, hope this is clear.  Comments welcome, thanks in advance.  Cheers,

128x128kletter1mann
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

You mention “core” but I am not sure you understand what it means. And yes, it can sound confusing at first, but it’s really not that difficult.

 

Think of Roon as comprised of three elements:

 

1 - Core. The server. With processing power and memory it needs to “push” music to the endpoints. Can be a general purpose computer, or audio dedicated machine. You do need sufficient processing power and memory IMO to run Roon Core.

 

2 - Endpoint. This is the streamer. Like the Node 2, or LUMIN. Really anything that can stream, and is certified as Roon Ready

 

3 - Controller. Smart phone or tablet. By definition, here is how you control, manage , and play your music.

 

A device can serve more than one role. Or all: such as a laptop that you run Roon Core on, stream (USB out to DAC), and controller (the interface).

 

Hope this helps

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

The endpoints you mention are streamers in their own right so they can act without roon.  But if you want to pay for Roon, they are "roon ready".  So anything shown in roon control program as an endpoint is just streaming (through roon) after the hard work is done in your "core".  Now endpoints can be attached to the core, attached to your laptop that you are using the roon control ap on, or stand alone.  The latter is recommended.  

So if you have, for example a Node, it will show as an endpoint you can select.  When you select it, it will be playing through roon and you can control it with roon.

Jerry

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dbphd
1,624 posts
 

 

 

Thanks for the clear statement, thyname. I’ve been using Roon for several years, and I'm often confused about what’s doing what.

I recently moved Roon core from a Mini to a Nucleus. Roon in the Mini played with my Ayre QX-5 endpoint, but Roon in the Nucleus requires the OS of the QX-5 be updated to certified inodrer to be enabled. Roon in the Nucleus will play via HDMI to the Bryston SP3 with no question about certification -- haven’t tried ethernet to the SP3.

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 

@dbphd Yeah, Roon is constantly evaluating gear from many manufacturers to certify them. Sorta like Apple & Google Stores reviewing apps before they agree to add to App stores. Roon tries to ensure full compatibility, though I don't envy them with that challenge. Roon forums are full of questions/issues that ultimately relate to quirks of end point devices. 

It's not perfect, but hopefully you can get the upgrade to cerfified easily and you'll be all set. Cheers,

Spencer

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