2. digital
  3. 180253-1997

Basic Roon Question

Lots of starts and fits in my digital journey . . . I keep migrating back to 100% vinyl listening due to inferior quality and user experience. I can set up a turntable like nobody's business but I'm an IT neophyte. 

I have no interest or budget to seek vinyl-quality sound, or to burn CDs, or build a digital library. A friend has brought over a server in the past so I am aware how local files can sound pretty darn good. But it's not for me. The convenience of streaming with Roon's interface is what appeals, and I'm looking to give digital another go.

Since I don't plan on storing music do I still need a Roon Core? Will a Roon-ready player work OK for streaming Qobuz on its own without causing frustration over app/speed/etc. issues?

I have some Roon-ready players in mind and believe my home network is robust enough. And I have an ethernet port nearby to support it. The one review I've read where Steve Huff was using an Innuos Zen Mini by itself as a Roon streamer was not very positive. However, it was a review intended to trumpet the Roon Nucleus (and did involve local files). I'd like some further insight and any you can share is much appreciated! Thanks

riz1
riz1 OP
42 posts
 

Thanks Bob it's good to hear from someone with direct experience. Thanks for sharing. 

I'll take a look at Plex thanks mapman

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,878 posts
 

@carlsbad already answered roon question

 

One thing I would like to add though is you don’t necessarily need roon to play Qobuz and local files. If your music is on the external hard drive pretty much any streamer features a usb input to plug it in.
The only downside with local files without roon is the album artwork goes missing for some albums.
If you’re looking for a user friendly interface the Bluesound Node, Aurender (not roon ready) or Auralic all feature easy to use UI.
Lumin streamers sound great but the UI is less intuitive than the streamers I mentioned above.

 

 

 

 

erik_squires
16,039 posts
 

Roon can now stream your personal library to your phone now, but I don’t trust their security at all, so no way I am enabling it. :)

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

yes if one wants to keep roon as simple as possible, get an innous zen mini - it can be the core as well as be the endpoint with dac analog output as well

very handy one box solution for a simple one endpoint roon system

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,582 posts
 

You only think your network is robust enough until you use it a lot. Tonight my wife got knocked off her tele yoga which requires multiple streamer reboots for me. I enjoy local files and I don't care who knows it.

Sounds like you don't have any.

More to discover