What does Roon do?


I'm an old tube guy and haven't really got a handle on digital, media streamers etc, although I do stream Spotify from my PC and iPhone to my hifi set up via a BluMe Bluetooth receiver / DAC. I keep seeing reference to Roon on this forum and its link with Tidal, which seems to be an alternative to Spotify. But what does Roon do and what do you need to connect it (if that is the right word ) to a preamp with no usb or HDMI ports, RCA only? Can you only use it with Tidal or can it work with Spotify? I need help in simple to understand language from you experts out there.
mazian

Showing 1 response by rikkipuu

I too am trying to figure out what Roon is or does.  I activated it on my Innuos music server on Sunday and started the free trial.  I was using iPeng to manage the server and play Tidal.  I am not using the Roon DSP.
With Roon music from either the server or Tidal is more euphonic and harmonious.  I need to go back thru the set up to see if I have the MQA set to on.  Maybe I am getting some unknown DSP.  My DAC does not support MQA.  It is different and so far I like it.
Before Roon I was streaming Tidal from a Wyred 4 Sound upgraded Sonos Connect's digital COAX to my DAC or thru the Innuos's Tidal integration.  Tidal always sounded good but easily never as good as music from the music server  Now Tidal sounds amazing and I mean amazing.
For me it is an incredible value given the costs of hardware and music files.  I won't be purchasing digital files to listen to.  Tidal's library is huge.  I am going to try Qobuz soon.