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Roon….The Gordon Knot of concierge musical services?

Not sure what my options are going forward.  Had my Roon server on a windows desktop and bridged to both my I pad and my I phone. Everything worked OK for the most part but had to uninstall and reinstall every once in a while . I updated my desktop to a new unit with Windows 11 and after some wrangling got both my I phone and my I pad to work.  Then, first the iPad lost the core and then the I phone lost it.  I have read and tried everything I can find about permissions, firewalls, bridges etc.

So here are a number of questions:

Throw good money after bad and buy a NUCLEUS?   I currently am using a LUMIN D_2 which I have been happy with.   I was smart enough not to buy a lifetime membership to Roon so is there another music concierge service that links up to Apple products more reliably?  Would the nucleus fix these problems or just create more “R.R.A.”? (Roon Related Animosity!)

OR…….Should I chuck the I pad and switch to Microsoft Surface tablet?  That still wouldn’t fix my lack of connectivity to my I phone.

I have been running Tidal directly to my LUMIN which works but I really miss the concierge look and apps of Roon.  Just have had it with them technically because they are doing more to ruin my musical experience rather then enhance it.

Lastly, would love to connect with any true budding Audiophiles in S.W. Michigan!
Particularly tech savvy ones.

 

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance here.

 

 

katieb
wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,018 posts
 

Okdodul. It’s all over this forum that for most, the vast silent and vocal majority, Roon sounds better from a nucleus than from a ‘puter. Audio grade Ethernet cables, filters, switches, clocks and all that jazz really boost it up too. Tons of info on Agon forums. 

I had Roon at first on an old laptop and switched up to the better setup. The clunky Lumin software still bests Roon by an audible smidge. The Roon interface and experience is the Mac Daddy. 

Alas to “do Roon right” is a few K but you will get what you pay for. 

What’s windows?
 

p05129
501 posts
 

Most people don’t know how to setup a good quality network in your house. Most people get a modem/router from the IP and they are off and running. I did enterprise networks in the late 80’s/early 90’s and there are configurations that need to be setup to get a good wired and wifi setup in your house. Go wired when you can using the best cables you can afford, and then use wifi if you can’t go wired. For a smaller 2400 sq ft house, I use 4 mesh routers so I get optimum coverage inside and around the house. 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,994 posts
 

@jjss49 

You got me pal! Once in a while one gets by me!

rhg3
205 posts
 

Sorry you’re having such a bad experience. Roon really needs a dedicated computer to run reliably. Many people have had success with an Intel NUC but that is a DIY solution.

Windows is a non starter for me, I don’t think it’s a reliable solution for Roon. A Roon Nucleus is a purpose built solution and is a great option.

I went with Small Green Computer’ Sonic Transporter’. Like the Nucleus, Roon is pre-installed. Works like a champ and I’ve had no issues in the 2 or 3 years that I’ve owned it.

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/audio-server/products/sonictransporter-i5

And I see no reason to ditch your iPad.

p05129
501 posts
 

If you don’t want to do the little computer work to setup a server (setting up osx or linux, configure the disks for music and backups, and preferably using i2s or network to your dac) then buy a music server, but your job isn’t over even if you buy a music server/nucleus. You will still need to backup the music disks and possible add a hard drive or copy music to its internal hard drive.

imo, you will see some of the biggest improvements in sq with the software you use. 

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