One advantage of Roon is that it is hardware independent in the sense that it eliminates the use of proprietary apps for accessing content so a hardware change doesn't require having to use a different manufacturers app. That and the fact that Roon's interface is superb.
Would I benefit with Roon?
I use a Bluesound Node 2i with a power supply upgrade in my main system and a Vault 2i in my second system. The Vault has about 800 CDs and my old iTunes in it. They are both on the same LAN so I can access either and listen anywhere in my home. I stream mostly Qobuz, Amazon Music, and various streams through Tune In. I like the Bluesound App (on two computers in two locations) a lot, but find that it gets clunky and has to be rebooted from time to time.
Would I benefit with Ron?
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Initially I wasn’t sold on ROON, another subscription, costs etc. After using it for over a year, Id be hard pressed to go back. The way it manages my music is on my NAS is outstanding and gives you a tremendous amount of control over the metadata. The information that I can read about the albums I stream is way more than just entertaining and is something I now rely on and enjoy. The way it interfaces with Quobuz is amazing using the ROON radio function. I haven’t used its DSP but that’s just another bonus. What finally pushed me to go with ROON was how buggy the blu os software was getting. It was driving me crazy. So going from blu os to ROON would be a huge upgrade in my opinion. |
+1 @dinov Having used Roon at first with a laptop and then w/ a Roon nucleus please be aware that the Roon nucleus is the far better way to go. The new Nucleus One will be $500 and the Nucleus Titan is $4000. If you clean up your ethernet (lot's of info on these fora...lots) you just might be amazed. Getting a Network Acoustics Muon, audio grade or enterprise grade switch you are there! Ditch the blue cat 5 too.
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Roon is great if you need that sort of data handling and cataloging etc. I would avoid the Roon nucleus though its not the best made device out there and is way over priced for what you get. there are better options for Roon streaming IMO. if it was me I'd stick with what you have for now as you seem to like the app and that's one of the biggest hurdles to streaming IMO. Upgrading maybe your DAC first if not already done. I would imagine streamers will come down in price as new tech and implementations come available. we are still relatively new into the streamer tech world. Every year there are new ones coming available that have solved much of the earlier issues like bad apps etc. Mind you there are some nice unite available now. |
Roon has changed how I listen to music for the better. It watches what you listen to and suggests similar music. The suggestions have always been good and led me in new directions. The UI is very good. I’ve got a Tidal subscription and 1500 CDs in iTunes. It feels like I’ve got every recording in the world in my personal library. (I don’t, of course, but there’s not much I can’t find.) Roon sometimes calls themselves “Airplay for Audiophiles.” Roon is led by software designers and is very much an engineering based company, IMO. They have written proprietary software for moving the digital sound files thru your network with no loss. But you can run using Airplay, which is how I got stared with Roon. Couple of downsides… You need to have some admin chops to install and Troubleshoot Roon. Roon crowdsources their support. My experience on the rare times I’ve had problems was not good. My fix was to uninstall Roon and reinstall it. Once was with a poorly tested release. Good news is that Roon is generally stable and works great I’m a fan and don’t intend to drop them Roon was recently purchased by Harman and it appears their engineering focus will continue. I do hope they’ll get better at support
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