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Does ROON sound different?

I am about to buy a new music streamer/transport (432 EVO Aeon), which recommends using ROON as a network platform. I have never used ROON, because I did not like the sound of the old Solos server, from which ROON derived. I have done a lot of reading about ROON, including a chapter in Robert Harley's latest edition of his "Complete Guide ...". He seems to really like ROON and does not mention any impact of sound. However, many members of various audio fora seem to disagree, claiming that ROON has a certain "house sound" that blurs contours and softens treble. I can understand this, if one uses the ROON hardware as an endpoint. But that's not what I try to do, as my new Aeon is ROON-ready and will be the endpoint, and I would only subscribe to the ROON software environment.

So my question is: has anybody experienced a coloration from using ROON, either as it's own hardware endpoint (Core), or - as in my case - as the digital platform. What does ROON "sound" like, if there is such a thing?

Thank you all!

128x128reimarc
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,550 posts
 

Agree different things will sound different, but in any case, sound quality is a cornerstone of Roon, not an issue.  

kennymacc
478 posts
 

Well, I use the dedicated Roon Music Server, the Roon Nucleus Plus (4TB), and it sounds absolutely incredible in my audio system.  Happy listening.     

ohlala
1,240 posts
 

With a sonictransporter to Bricasti renderer via ethernet the difference between jplay/mconnect and Roon is small. I would say Roon is a bit softer in the upper midrange and images do not stand out in such relief as jplay. That is for better or worse, though, as I sometimes prefer the slightly more relaxed Roon sound. I do not know what is the actual difference, so hard to say which one is "right". Maybe if I had a soft sounding system I would think the jplay is for sure better, but I don’t.

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