Lumin U2 or Aurender N200

Thanks @mclinnguy the fact that it’s forward sounding is alarming to me. I can’t have that with my electronics. I need cables that are as neutral (I try to avoid using this term usually) as possible. But the statement the reviewer made about the Stealth USB is kind of intriguing. I’ll ask how it compares to Audience. 
In my experience with Audience I like their USB, speaker cables and power cords. I have not had good luck with their interconnects in any iteration of my system, and I tried OHNO, AU24SE, AU24SX, FrontRow. Not impressed. I much prefer my Nordost Tyr 2. 

@mclinnguy 

Roon’s integration with folder views is a significant step for those who prefer a more hands-on approach to library management, especially when paired with devices like the ACS. It bridges the gap between metadata-driven organization and traditional folder browsing, offering both flexibility and convenience.

Coming back to your question, between software choices, I do like Roon’s user-interface and deep metadata integration but it wasn’t an easy transition. I have been in Aurender eco-system for over 10 years and Conductor app remains an excellent option for users who value a simpler, device-focused experience. 

Beyond the excellent Roon UI, I wasn’t quite sold on the SQ initially when compared with Conductor. The comparisons was made between my Merging +player and N20 and later with N30SA. And Conductor always sounded better, more natural and fuller until early this year. I believe it was around March or so, Roon made a substantial leap in SQ and closed the gap between the two. I went back n forth over the course of next three-month period to fully understand what was going on. If there were any differences between the two software, they were subtle at best with no apparent disadvantages. Both software sounded equally immersive and natural through my Merging DAC. 

For my specific needs, ACS is indispensable. You get Roon’s advanced playback and discovery features alongside the ACS’s SOTA iOS app, library management, ripping and ultra quiet storage / playback capabilities. 

@lalitk I wonder what that leap in sound quality was due to. I’m assuming you’re still using your N30S?
I’ve spent weeks of critical listening with my N200 / Bricasti M3 combo comparing Roon to Conductor. No luck for me. I actually ditched Roon - cancelled my subscription for now.

May be the superior OCXO clock in the N30S is the equalizer in your case? Since I’m running my digital front end with USB and my N200 isn’t as good as your N30S, the effect in my system is much more prominent?

Don’t get me wrong I love Roon. I just wish it sounded as good as the Conductor. I’d be using Roon only. 

@audphile1 

To my understanding, software updates to Roon app contributed to bump in SQ. They are constantly updating the software (mostly ironing out bugs) but the updates around March 2024, when I noticed Roon sounding significantly better than my previous accounts. As a result, I sold my N30SA back in July. 

What were you using to compare Roon. Roon did not sound good through my N30SA  compared to Conductor. 

@lalitk I used my N200. Prior to buying the N200 I was using the network card in the Bricasti DAC as Roon endpoint. N200 sounds way better Roon or not. I first started using Roon back when I was still streaming with Mac Mini probably 2018-2019 
So are you using your Merging DAC as a Roon endpoint? Or us your Merging stack the core as well?