Who is Roon?

This thread has been a very interesting read.  I had been strongly considering an investment in the Roon "lifetime" subscription because I've become so very frustrated with JRiver.  My online research of Roon seemed to indicate most people really like it for streaming and say it handles their stored libraries well.  I've held off because I hate subscription-based software business models, wasn't thrilled with $900 for a "purchase" (way more than MS Office, which actually does work) and do not stream anything except terrestrial radio station websites through my browser.  

As a work-around experiment, I recently gave JRiver one last installment to "upgrade" to version 33 over the holidays.  Same damn problems:  Will not rip CDs into my internal SSHD library and will not retrieve metadata on my mid-2012 MacBook Pro running a fresh install of OS X 10.13.  It won't even recognize a folder (album) ripped on a different Mac computer and then copied into the library.  Shows and plays in Finder and in Windows Files but neither JR27, 28 nor 33 saw/see it.  And their forum "help" flatly isn't.

I'm going to try installing JR33 on both my 2016 Mac Air and 2024 Mac Air to see if the newer system architectures can resolve the ripping problem using an external DVD drive through the laptop to an external SSHD.  I'm not hopeful but have to try.

Another work-around was importing the library to Apple Music, and it simply does not recognize the artist-album-song file organization in the near-terabyte size data set.  Everything is 44.1 KHz, 16 bit (WAV extension), with a few higher resolution PCM items.  Excepting only a few that were downloaded, Music categorizes as individual song listing only and I've yet to find a way around that. 

Never had that problem with iTunes.  The only reason I tried JR was to get higher PCM resolution for some stuff I got through an AgoN sampler, a Linn holiday collection and later on, some vinyl digitized through a TASCAM DA-3000.  iTunes required a MIDI interface reset and computer reboot to change output resolution.

Now that I learn that this Harmon International / Samsung product does not offer factory support, I don't care how well it's reviewed.  I will not plunk down that kind of coin for something without a factory warranty period, period.  For the same reason, I have zero interest in their "free" trial (TANSTAAFL).  My thanks to all of you for the warning/guarantee.  Roon clearly appears incapable of providing me with the functional and happy digital listening I'm seeking.

Roon has been great for me...allows me to stream my music library or internet radio to multiple rooms...and gives you "liner notes' on everything. I have not yet played with the DSP functions...but that may be in the future.

@effischer 

My gosh you're going through a lot of agony with all these details.  roon and I think immigration may be worth monthly basis and come to terms with how you feel about it before going for a Life commitment.

Marriage provides the same opportunities where you never know what you're getting into and then it is too late.

I don't understand people who design interfaces for processors, tvs, streaming platforms,   it is as if they never really try it or put it out there for A Focus group review.  The underlying cake can be quite good and then it gets screwed up with frosting that's awful.

Roon is a game changer. Period. Now tracks can be added to Qobuz playlists which to me was missing.
@phishhhhh4 What? Support is excellent and often a roon moderator will answer. This has been my experience twice.
@effischer I initially dismissed Roon. I gave it a second try and that was that. Like many software based things once the workings get known it’s easy. And there’s a you tube video too as well. Nothings perfect but if anything comes close it’s Roon. FYI, All things considered, the roon labs community crowd is a lot more civil and helpful than the Agon can be.

"Roonies"?

"Rooners"...better....;)

How about Roonmates?