What exactly is ROON?

@manhattan1

There are many options so I suggest you continue your review.

+1, As posted above, I also suggest you consider Audiovana for the reasons described below. I have been using it for many years and agree it is excellent

“Audirvana is a high-quality audio playback software designed for audiophiles to enhance their listening experience. Founded in 2011 by Damien Plisson in France, it optimizes sound quality by minimizing CPU activity, shortening the signal path, and supporting high-resolution audio formats up to 32-bit/384 kHz. It works with various file types like FLAC, WAV, DSD, and more, and integrates streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz.

Audirvana offers features like metadata editing, a user-friendly interface, and the Audirvana Remote app for control via smartphones or tablets. It supports playback through connected devices or streaming via UPnP and Chromecast but lacks AirPlay support. It is available for macOS, LINUX and Windows.

Audirvana improves sound quality compared to other players through several key features:

• Exclusive DAC Access: Audirvana bypasses the operating system’s audio processing by taking exclusive control of the DAC. This eliminates unnecessary sample rate conversions, jitter, and mixing with system sounds, ensuring a cleaner audio signal.

• Optimized Playback Path: It minimizes CPU activity and follows the shortest software path to the audio output, reducing interference and preserving the integrity of the audio signal.

• Dynamic Range and Clarity: Users report enhanced dynamic range, deeper bass, sharper highs, and more natural vocals when compared to native players like Qobuz or Apple Music. Instruments are better separated, and soundstage is improved.

• DSP Options: Audirvana allows for advanced digital signal processing (DSP) through plugins, enabling further customization for connected devices.

These optimizations result in a more detailed and immersive listening experience, often likened to upgrading hardware components like a DAC.

Audirvana’s digital playback process is unique due to its proprietary technology that prioritizes audio quality by optimizing every step of the playback chain:

• Bit-Perfect Playback: Audirvana bypasses the operating system’s audio mixer, ensuring the audio signal remains unaltered and transmitted directly to the DAC for playback without loss or interference.

• Direct and Exclusive DAC Access: The software takes exclusive control of the DAC, avoiding unnecessary sample rate conversions and ensuring precise audio output tailored to the DAC’s capabilities.

• Shortest Signal Path: It minimizes processor activity and uses the shortest possible software path to reduce noise and interference during playback.

• Kernel-Level Programming: Audirvana leverages low-level programming (e.g., WASAPI, Kernel Streaming) for both macOS and Windows, enhancing system efficiency and sound fidelity.

• Advanced Upsampling: The software uses high-quality algorithms like SoX and R8Brain for upsampling, allowing the computer’s powerful CPU to handle complex processing, relieving the DAC from additional tasks.

These features collectively ensure a clean, high-resolution audio experience that preserves the integrity of the original recording”.

I use Audiovana on my Infigo Audio IS-1 Streamer that uses LINUX. I use my Apple iPad with the Audiovana Remote to control it. I stream from QoBuz and everything works perfectly. I hope this helps.

I have no experience with Roon.   

 

 

 

@oberoniaomnia

I am sorry you had an issue with Audiovana playlists. I also had an issue with their playlist and posted my issue on the Community Audiovana forum. please see link below. I received their response in about 24 hours and was told what I needed to. In my case, it was my error, and, everything is working now. I used the Audiovana community forum several times and promptly received a very useful response. I hope this helps.

https://community.audirvana.com

This forum is meant to help Audirvāna users find answers and share their experiences. If you have a question, please search for it 🔍 or browse the related topics using the various tabs. You can create a new post/question using the button + New Topic.  

@mahler123 

Thanks.  Music servers that have Audirvāna pre-installed or are compatible include:

• Antipodes Audio Music Servers (e.g., K22 and K40) with some limitations for setup.

• 3D Lab Music Servers.

• Fidelizer Audio Servers, which are fully tested and integrated with Audirvāna.

• Infigo Audio IS-1 Streamer, which includes Audirvāna software.

Additionally, Audirvāna supports UPnP-compatible devices, making it usable with a wide range of streamers and speakers like KEF Wireless HiFi systems and others certified under the “Plays with Audirvāna” program.  

As noted above, my Infigo Audio IS-1 Streamer already has the Audiovana LINUX version installed.  I use my Apple iPad with the Audiovana Remote to control it.  I stream from QoBuz and everything works perfectly.   There may additional music servers that have Audiovana installed but I am not aware of them.