I agree with whoever said, "what a great thread!" above. I'm a Roon user/lover too. My only regret is that I did not sign up for the lifetime subscription back when it was less expensive than it is now. Perusing the multiple contrasting opinions here, it is clear that there are as many variables that affect one's need and satisfaction with Roon or any other music player, as there are variables in audio systems themselves. My favorite thing about Roon is the quantity of metadata available and all the linked information for further exploration. I love most having an LP or CD cover in my hand and reading every word in the insert or on the back as I listen. Of course, no audio player really replaces that, but Roon comes closer than anything else I have ever found. It is not perfect - none of them are - but it is my favorite so far. I am a two-channel person only. I am not streaming Tidal or Qobuz. Rather, I am all digital. (Someday I'll add vinyl.) All of my music is ripped to external hard drive in lossless format. I have over 4Tb of music, the majority of it classical (for whoever above said Roon wasn't good for classical music???) I have an M1 Mac Mini that is essentially my "music server." running to my Emotiva DAC (which doubles as a pre-amp.) The MacMini is my Roon core and I have Roon Remote set up on a Macbook Pro, an iPad and on my iPhone. So far, I have never run out of things to explore when listening through Roon!
a remarkably basic question about Roon
I'm considering trying out Roon and, despite hours spent on their too-busy website, I'm still not entirely sure what it would do for me. (Trying to get through their "support" section is an exercise in misery all around.)
Here's my clueless question. I currently stream music through a Bryston BDP. I use the Bryston software, "Manic Moose," on my laptop or phone to create playlists, move between digital sources (flash drive, Qobuz, radio), and as a remote control for volume, song choice, etc. The Bryston software isn't at all elegant but it's functional.
So, if I get Roon, would I be doing the same thing from the Roon app on my laptop or phone? Would I be completely bypassing "Manic Moose"? and doing everything on the Roon app, including such things as volume and song selection? I understand that Roon is an effective organizer of music from multiple sources; is it also a "media player?? (I have a traditional two-channel set-up and don't do multiple rooms.) The Manic Moose software is clunky enough that I'd consider swapping it out for Roon, if that's in fact what I would be doing.
Thanks!