Maybe this has been answered already but if all you are doing is streaming via Tidal or Qobuz do you really need Roon?
a remarkably basic question about Roon
I'm considering trying out Roon and, despite hours spent on their too-busy website, I'm still not entirely sure what it would do for me. (Trying to get through their "support" section is an exercise in misery all around.)
Here's my clueless question. I currently stream music through a Bryston BDP. I use the Bryston software, "Manic Moose," on my laptop or phone to create playlists, move between digital sources (flash drive, Qobuz, radio), and as a remote control for volume, song choice, etc. The Bryston software isn't at all elegant but it's functional.
So, if I get Roon, would I be doing the same thing from the Roon app on my laptop or phone? Would I be completely bypassing "Manic Moose"? and doing everything on the Roon app, including such things as volume and song selection? I understand that Roon is an effective organizer of music from multiple sources; is it also a "media player?? (I have a traditional two-channel set-up and don't do multiple rooms.) The Manic Moose software is clunky enough that I'd consider swapping it out for Roon, if that's in fact what I would be doing.
Thanks!
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@pwayland, you're reaching an inaccurate conclusion based on a weak link in your setup, and I would assume it's your NUC, though I don't know for sure. A buddy that owns an Auralic Altair and I have done extensive comparison with my setup which is; an M1 Mac Mini (running Roon/Qobuz and virtually nothing else) feeding a Schiit Yggdrasil (less-is-more version) through their proprietary Unison USB interface. Using the same headphones on both setups (Focal Clear Mg, powered by a Schiit Mjolnir 2 amp) reveals that, if anything, my setup sounds slightly more fleshed out and full-bodied. Bass is tight and tuneful. The differences were small, to be sure, but even my buddy admits that my setup gives up nothing. A previous poster correctly pointed out that streamers are indeed computers themselves. Any "magic" that happens is with the way the DAC handles the data it's being fed. |
@thyname Yes to both, although you have to turn the switch on the back to roon position to allow it to function as an endpoint. @rsf507 Indeed. @shooter41 Interesting. I'm not a headphone guy and don't have any knowledge of those setups, but I appreciate your input. I offered my subjective reviews based on my observations. To say it is inaccurate is really not in the spirit of us all reaching our collective goal of enjoying the best sound. My point is entirely focused on the source upstream. PS audio is a roon endpoint, and pretty much state of the art. The NUC Rock build is recommended by roon as the best solution short of the nucleus so go figure.... Most likely the PS audio Perfect Strean Mk II DAC Zen Stream combination is just that much better! |
@pwayland the statement I take issue with is "My interpretation of these results is that a quality dedicated streamer will be far superior to roon, which is essentially a software attempt at making computer equipment perform high quality audio tasks" and I stand by this as being inaccurate. Your limited test did not give you sufficient information to make a blanket statement like that. I have no doubt, however, that the PS Audio/Zen Stream combo is an excellent one. |
@shooter41 Fair enough. I knew that would be a potentially controversial statement and as such I'm hoping to hear some more A B comparisons to broaden the depth of knowledge. |
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