Favorite Roon Features / What value does it add for you?
CottageChz
Posts: 406
I've given Roon a shot twice now. While it seems like a nice service, I don't think I can really justify the price given my current setup.
So, I was wondering: What are your favorite features, especially ones that may not be evident to a new user? What value does Roon add for you that keeps you coming back? I'm just kind of curious if I'm missing anything that could make a big difference to me. It seems like the software really does a lot, so I could be missing something.
A little about my setup... I have one main listening space with my nice audio equipment, where I use a Lumin D1. I have several other areas with smaller speakers in my house, where I use Apple Airport Express devices to stream music from my phone or computer.
I suspect part of the reason that Roon doesn't seem especially useful to me is that the Lumin software already does a decent job of integrating Tidal and my home music library. That, and a I don't own multiple high-end streamers.
It did seem like Roon was able to play music to the Lumin and the Airport Express devices in sync, which is something I can't do on my phone, because the Lumin does not have Airplay 2. Typically I can only play to multiple Airplay 2 devices in sync, the phone does not let me also choose Airplay 1 devices. Roon seems to be able to do that even though the Lumin isn't Airplay 2, which is pretty cool.
I can see Roon becoming very useful if you have multiple higher-end streaming devices in your house, which run on different softwares... you could presumably control all of them from the Roon interface.
The Roon album art/artist bios/etc. were cool, but typically I'm doing something else when I'm listening to music, like reading a magazine, surfing other places on the web, hanging out with friends, etc., so I'm not sitting there studying up on album and artist details.
Roon radio was decent... I would say it got closer to the type of music I like than, say, Tidal's autoplay or mix features.
So anyway, what do the hardcore Roon people think? What are your favorite features, especially ones that may not be evident to a new user? What value does Roon add for you that keeps you coming back?
So, I was wondering: What are your favorite features, especially ones that may not be evident to a new user? What value does Roon add for you that keeps you coming back? I'm just kind of curious if I'm missing anything that could make a big difference to me. It seems like the software really does a lot, so I could be missing something.
A little about my setup... I have one main listening space with my nice audio equipment, where I use a Lumin D1. I have several other areas with smaller speakers in my house, where I use Apple Airport Express devices to stream music from my phone or computer.
I suspect part of the reason that Roon doesn't seem especially useful to me is that the Lumin software already does a decent job of integrating Tidal and my home music library. That, and a I don't own multiple high-end streamers.
It did seem like Roon was able to play music to the Lumin and the Airport Express devices in sync, which is something I can't do on my phone, because the Lumin does not have Airplay 2. Typically I can only play to multiple Airplay 2 devices in sync, the phone does not let me also choose Airplay 1 devices. Roon seems to be able to do that even though the Lumin isn't Airplay 2, which is pretty cool.
I can see Roon becoming very useful if you have multiple higher-end streaming devices in your house, which run on different softwares... you could presumably control all of them from the Roon interface.
The Roon album art/artist bios/etc. were cool, but typically I'm doing something else when I'm listening to music, like reading a magazine, surfing other places on the web, hanging out with friends, etc., so I'm not sitting there studying up on album and artist details.
Roon radio was decent... I would say it got closer to the type of music I like than, say, Tidal's autoplay or mix features.
So anyway, what do the hardcore Roon people think? What are your favorite features, especially ones that may not be evident to a new user? What value does Roon add for you that keeps you coming back?
Comments
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Cool. Thanks for the response.
I agree that the zone function is very neat... I don't have that many "zones" in my current house. I could see this potentially becoming more useful to me when I move to a larger house someday, or acquire more streaming devices.
And $500 is a lot, but I don't see it as that crazy for a "lifetime" subscription, assuming 1) you utilize the software and its features often enough, and 2) the company does not go out of business or kill the software. If I ever get to the point that I want to use Roon regularly, I am pretty sure I will opt for the lifetime subscription rather than pay for individual years. -
The integration of my files was outstanding. I was quite amazed by this by not having to go in and change file locations or name, etc for a few albums or songs. I also really like how it automatically selects the best quality for the version meaning: SACD>FLAC>MP3. The interface is also really nice. The integration with Qobuz has been really good too. Also, it looks good, works good and I have not had 1 problem in the year I've used it. The sound quality through my DAC without having to use an external streamer is excellent. Many high-quality DAC's are now integrated with Roon. So, if I want to change my DAC, nothing else needs to change. Easy._____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
DAC: Bricasti M1SE
Pre/Pro: Marantz AV8805
Tube Preamp Buffer: Tortuga TPB.V1
Amp1: Nord One NC1200DM Signature, Amp2: W4S MC-5, AMP3: W4S MMC-7
Front: Salk SoundScape 8's, Center: Salk SoundScape C7
Surround: Polk FXIA6, Surround Back: Polk RTIA9, Atmos: Polk 70-RT
Subs: 2 - Rythmik F25's
IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
Power Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, PS Audio
Room Treatments: GIK Acoustics -
I think that unless you have a very large library or multiple different endpoints that you want to connect it might not be work it. The two main reasons I like it is 1) it integrates tidal or Qobuz with your personal library and 2) I can control a bunch of different endpoints.Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
Love Roon ...but the lifetime subscription just went up to $699 (in the cover of night)
no warning or announcementMain Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3
Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded) -
Love Roon ...but the lifetime subscription just went up to $699 (in the cover of night)
no warning or announcement
I love Roon too!
Danny Dulai put this explanation up in the Roon forum a few days ago.
https://community.roonlabs.com/t/lifetime-price-increase-499-699/84339
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Pretty much the answers I expected, but thanks for the input nonetheless!
