ROON Survey

James Tanner · « **on:** 23 Jun 2016, 03:29 pm »

Hi Folks,

Just wondering how many of you use ROON and if you have any comments.

james

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 04:05 pm »

I do not have it, but I did play with it. I like it a lot, it can basically do everything, but... I think it is too expensive. I have no problem paying $500 for hardware because when the company goes belly up I will still have the hardware, but if a software company goes down... Then what?

Pneumonic · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 04:31 pm »

After grabbing stats as my speaker choice and going discless, the addition of Roon has been the best audio decision in my 40+ years in this hobby.

Where going discless has allowed me to rediscover my music library, Roon has allowed me to organize, and delve into, it in near perfect and seamless fashion.

Grit · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 05:15 pm »

I'm waiting for the BPD-2 to support Roon before I use the sparse 2 week trail that Roon offers.

However, I love the idea/concept of Roon. Anything that provides a beautiful, graphical interface and is easy to use on both a computer, tablet, and cell phone will absolutely get my vote. I cringe a bit at the price for Roon, but if it works, I'd pay for it.

vonnie123 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 05:26 pm »

I am a Roon user. I love the interface and after about six weeks of use I upgraded to a lifetime membership. I purchased a Sonone microRendu to use as a Roon endpoint, and also purchased the HQPlayer program for use with Roon in NAA mode. I am an original version BDP-1 owner, and can use Roon with the BDP-1, although only in squeezelite mode. Music files are stored via USB to my iMac core / SSD Raid drive. Hope Bryston gets the software dialed in so my Bryston Media Player can also be used as an Roon endpoint, in Roon RAAT mode. I know Bryston is working on it, but will the BDP-1 be included in the Roon RAAT upgrade, or is the focus limited to the PI and BDP-2 players?

Roon organizes, manages, and presents your music library light years ahead of anything I've seen. It integrates with Tidal exceptionally well too. Better yet, the program is constantly evolving to improve its delivery.

I also use JRiver/JRemote, mPad, and Sonos music controllers.

gustavog · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 06:47 pm »

I have Roon's lifetime subscription with Tidal and now enjoy listening to music much better. So much that my BDP-1 lies abandoned on the equipment rack. Never looked back.

It is amazing the difference that a truly usable, rich interface does make. I also enjoy the linked extras: credits, lyrics, reviews, all on the fly.

ccklone · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 07:12 pm »

Hey Now,

I tried Roon and I couldn't get it work with my Sony UDA-1 during the trial period last summer. The Roon fellas actively troubleshot my problem and in the next release they had a fix for my situation. It was within a couple of weeks when first discovered. They extended my trial period for another month because of the issue. When I downloaded the revision, everything worked. I was hooked and signed up for a lifetime subscription and have not looked back. My iPad Mini 2 has the Roon app and it is just great. I love it.

Now, I have Tidal and HQPlayer integration with an NAA (network audio adapter) and upsampling everything to DSD256 and my computer audio has never sounded so good and the experience Roon provides is a joy. I find it very enjoyable reading about artists and albums. Though some of the curation is biased, it is no fun to find out what you liked is not to the reviewers liking, but screw 'em, I still enjoy it. I likes what I likes

.

Another issue I had with HQPlayer was that I could not play ALAC files, but because they go through Roon with HQPlayer integration, I can play my 20,000 (1.8TB) of ALAC files through HQPlayer now. That was a terrific added benefit of the Roon/HQPlayer integration. With seamless integration of Tidal, my music library is just huge now. For me it has been the best thing since sliced bread.

--
Finest kind,
Chris

RonCH · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 07:35 pm »

Hi James,

I use it and I think it's brilliant.

I run it into your bda3 via USB from Roon Bridge on a SolidRun CuBox-i2eX. I reckon it sounds good too. The Roon server runs under Docker on my NAS.

I like the UI design and Tidal integration a lot. Additionally I've got a Naim Muso in our bedroom, and the switching of zones is useful.

I personally think that Roon running on Bryston would be a good think. But I guess there's no hope for my BDP-1..... It would give me an excuse to buy a BDP-2....

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 07:41 pm »

I would use ROON only if

1) it works with BDP-1 Loony Loon
2) it works with MPad on my iPad (no desktop)

On paper, it looks terrific.

James Tanner · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 07:48 pm »

Quote from: RonCH on 23 Jun 2016, 07:35 pm

Hi James,

I use it and I think it's brilliant.

I run it into your bda3 via USB from Roon Bridge on a SolidRun CuBox-i2eX. I reckon it sounds good too. The Roon server runs under Docker on my NAS.

I like the UI design and Tidal integration a lot. Additionally I've got a Naim Muso in our bedroom, and the switching of zones is useful.

I personally think that Roon running on Bryston would be a good think. But I guess there's no hope for my BDP-1..... It would give me an excuse to buy a BDP-2....

Hi Ron

Yes I was interested in the fact that you have to have ROON loaded on a computer which must be running in order to use ROON and I was told it is really resource heavy so they do not recommend putting it on your NAS. Obviously it seems to work OK on your NAS?

james

Stercom · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Jun 2016, 09:56 pm »

ROON is extremely easy to setup, organized my music library very well and looks great!

glynnw · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 12:29 am »

I have been using JRiver for about 6 years and really like it, but I am still considering Roon. While I can use my Kindle to operate it, I prefer the PC screen because it lets me do a lot more things. When using Roon on a tablet, do you still have access to change tag data as well as link to lyrics, Wiki, UTube, etc?

vcwatkins · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 01:30 am »

Quote from: gustavog on 23 Jun 2016, 06:47 pm

I have Roon's lifetime subscription with Tidal and now enjoy listening to music much better. So much that my BDP-1 lies abandoned on the equipment rack. Never looked back.

It is amazing the difference that a truly usable, rich interface does make. I also enjoy the linked extras: credits, lyrics, reviews, all on the fly.

Same here. Love Roon. Addicted to Roon. Haven't enjoyed music this much since college days. BDP-1 sits idle while hope for Roon integration slowly fades.

wilsonij · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 12:57 pm »

Quote from: CanadianMaestro on 23 Jun 2016, 07:41 pm

I would use ROON only if

1) it works with BDP-1 Loony Loon
2) it works with MPad on my iPad (no desktop)

On paper, it looks terrific.

Ditto !

wilsonij · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 01:14 pm »

Oh and I'm not keen on having to power-up and leave on a computer in order to listen to music. I made the switch to a NAS many years ago to avoid that for file/music storage so it feels like a backward step.

I did find this - http://blog.rieke.tv/roon-server-on-nas - which suggests using a NAS is possible, though I've not tried it nor do I know what kind of limitation it would bring.

Having said all of the above, I agree with previous posters that the Roon experience is excellent and, if it could seamlessly work with the likes of the various Bryston BDP's, then I'm sure all parties would benefit.

Ian

jtwrace · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 01:16 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 23 Jun 2016, 07:48 pm

Hi Ron

Yes I was interested in the fact that you have to have ROON loaded on a computer which must be running in order to use ROON and I was told it is really resource heavy so they do not recommend putting it on your NAS. Obviously it seems to work OK on your NAS?

james

I have RoonServer on my Synology 1813+ and it all works great. Roon is by far the best piece of audio software I've ever used. The integration of your library coupled with Tidal is amazing. This all while using the Sonore µRendu.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 01:24 pm »

Why would you get Tidal if you have Roon, or why would you get Roon if you have Tidal? Both are streaming services, correct?

jtwrace · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 01:27 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 24 Jun 2016, 01:24 pm

Why would you get Tidal if you have Roon, or why would you get Roon if you have Tidal? Both are streaming services, correct?

No, Roon is library management; Tidal is a streaming service.

RonCH · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 03:33 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 23 Jun 2016, 07:48 pm

Hi Ron

Yes I was interested in the fact that you have to have ROON loaded on a computer which must be running in order to use ROON and I was told it is really resource heavy so they do not recommend putting it on your NAS. Obviously it seems to work OK on your NAS?

james

Hi James,

I have it running on a 2012 Synology 1512 NAS ( with 3 GB of RAM ). I have a 14000 track library and it works well. As I said I runs it under Docker, and it runs well. The Linux Roon Server doesn’t seem to be too resource hungry.

I’m not really sure where you’re going with your question, but if I owned a BDP2 ( instead of my BDP1) then I would have installed Docker and tried to run Roon Server on it. It might be an interesting experiment.

If you like to try it here’s a thread I started: https://community.roonlabs.com/t/roon-running-in-docker-on-synology/9979

Regards

Ron

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Jun 2016, 03:45 pm »

The new Salkstream gen 3 has it built in.
http://www.salkstream.com/streamplayer.php?model=StreamPlayer+Gen+III
I am not interested in running a separate computer just to be able to use Roon. I think this is a very strong selling point for Salk.

Would love to see this in the Pi.