Why would I need Roon?

@djones. Good to know. I only recently bought the Node so I’m feeling squeamish about ditching it yet. 

Ok...finding new music...I hadn’t thought I needed that, but an interesting angle. Information on tracks is a an important plus.

Thanks for the additional information.
I’m probably being cranky because I feel like every time I turn around there’s another *subscription* on my visa bill, and this adds on top of other services.
Ok, got that off my chest — I’m very prickly when I think I’m being nickel-and-dimed, but you’re truly evincing some major benefits to Roon. Seems worth a try.
That said, the alternatives look interesting, such as the Bryston. But…I just bought a Node…so…[scratches head].
Again, with the Node, I plug a thumb drive in the back and I have a lot of files right there in the player.
But, as folks have said, the interface is not as good…
Ok, I need to research what you’ve all said. Been driving all day.

Just confirmed what @jaytor said. I cannot make do with just my Bluesound Node2i. I’d still need a PC server running soon. A Node2i does not run the Roon “Core” application.

"Roon is a server and client based system so always requires the core server part to be running on a pc or Nas type device.”
https://community.roonlabs.com/t/seriously-how-to-use-my-node-2i/97094/11

This means that if one has bought one of the most popular, affordable streamers out there, one still needs more to use Roon. This is something I hadn’t considered.

If I am wrong about this, please tell me.

@soundchsr 

OP - I believe you can run Roon on your PC and then use the Node2i as the endpoint. That way the PC does all the work but the endpoint is away from the noise of the PC so it should sound better (in theory, according to Roon).

I have a friend that does that. He uses a fanless linux computers, built with a kit and very simply; one stores and processes the files then they're sent via an optical cable to another computer that serves them up to his system. It's pretty amazing.

I've just put a system together, so I may be exhausted and will come back to this, but in my present state of mind, the notion of having another processing unit in addition to the Bluesound Node makes me think that I just bought the wrong streamer. I mean, how complex does it have to be to serve up a digital file? I bet I change my mind after a while, but for now, it feels like a lot.

Thanks soundchasr. Pi sounds like an interesting direction.

@djones now that you bring sound quality into it I am a bit more motivated and I'm not that uncomfortable with installing software or running it. I tried audirvana on my Mac and thought it sounded better.