2. digital
  3. 180253-1997

Basic Roon Question

Lots of starts and fits in my digital journey . . . I keep migrating back to 100% vinyl listening due to inferior quality and user experience. I can set up a turntable like nobody's business but I'm an IT neophyte. 

I have no interest or budget to seek vinyl-quality sound, or to burn CDs, or build a digital library. A friend has brought over a server in the past so I am aware how local files can sound pretty darn good. But it's not for me. The convenience of streaming with Roon's interface is what appeals, and I'm looking to give digital another go.

Since I don't plan on storing music do I still need a Roon Core? Will a Roon-ready player work OK for streaming Qobuz on its own without causing frustration over app/speed/etc. issues?

I have some Roon-ready players in mind and believe my home network is robust enough. And I have an ethernet port nearby to support it. The one review I've read where Steve Huff was using an Innuos Zen Mini by itself as a Roon streamer was not very positive. However, it was a review intended to trumpet the Roon Nucleus (and did involve local files). I'd like some further insight and any you can share is much appreciated! Thanks

riz1
linnvolk
90 posts
 

It is true you don't need Roon to stream Qobuz.  I listen in the car to Qobuz directly because Roon is not (yet) an option there.

I do not do this at home and would not want to do without Roon there.  I find the Qobuz user interface clunky and very difficult to navigate--not at all intuitive.  While creating playlists is do-able on Qobuz alone, modifying a playlist on Qobuz appears to not be possible (or maybe I just have not figured it out after burning a good bit of time trying).  Roon provides a considerably easier and more pleasant overall experience.  If Qobuz alone were the only streaming option, I would probably just go back to playing CDs.

To me, Qobuz alone is like trying to get from LA to Hawaii in a rowboat, while Roon (with Qobuz streaming) gets me there on a cruise liner. 

YMMV.

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

No, you don't need roon to stream qobuz.  I stramed it for a while without roon.  It was clunky.  I found roon to be a good upgrade.

riz1 OP
42 posts
 

Thanks for all of the input. Linnvolk makes the case that's behind my preference for Roon. I've tried the Cambridge, Lumin and Lindemann apps and they were "serviceable." I haven't tried the Bluesound, Auralic or Aurender apps which might be better. I'm going to pick one of those products on a trial basis and check out their app along with Roon, if Roon will work on them without a Nucleus/Core product which it sounds like it should. I'm on hold with Bluesound customer service now to get their take on it. Thanks again!

Post removed 
lollipopguild's avatar
lollipopguild
132 posts
 

I recently trialled Roon through my Zenith Mk3, and much preferred the sound without Roon.  Having looked at a number of similar threads to this one, I believe this is consensus.  

With Roon I did notice a drop-off in detail, and a warming.   And while I like warm, digital systems I felt the effect of Roon to be too much.  The DSP facility which is packaged with Roon, however, I did like.  The Roon apps, both Win and Android, are very well put together and have many features.  Innuos's OS is not as good, though for me it's good enough.

I expect a lot depends on your streamer, though the overhead of hosting an additional Roon Core, on top of Roon's subscription cost, is not worth it, in my opinion.

More to discover