@@13thnotehifireviews7 You are welcome. I actually unsubscribed from Roon but on the strength of this video I've re-enabled recurring billing! So a big thank you.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Hello, I would like to know if Roon is better than Jriver Media Center in terms of sound quality in the case of use with a PCM and DSD compatible ASIO sound card. I use the same sound card as you with Neumann KH 120 A. 😉
@@gcb1954 I've still got the NAD M10 on long term loan which I'm using with my own KEF LS50 Meta's. What is good with NAD is they are good value for money in the audiophile sphere against brands like Naim or Cyrus. Much like Cambridge Audio.
The production value of your videos is through the roof, but the real reason I watch them is for clear, simple, and honest information. Pretty graphics or not, I’ll keep watching. Thank you.
Thank you so much Thomas. Really appreciated. Hopefully it has something to appeal to all. I don’t want my videos to be about me, and a man in front of the camera like some TH-cam channels because that makes me uneasy and I don’t like the idea of being seen to present self importance etc. Sometimes I watch some well known YT channels and I think it isn’t about the hifi but the person presenting because people sometimes live vicariously through others online. I hope all the effort I put into making it creative, whilst very enjoyable for me, at the same time shows the hifi and music is the reason we do this, not the person who does or presents it. It has an aim to reach a wider audience , not be alien but inclusive, and not be such it can only be understood by regular viewers.
Superb review. I had downloaded Roon as a free trial and didn't know where to start or really if it was worth anything to me in terms of music enjoyment. You have made a persuasive case. I will experiment in earnest now. Thank you so much for the time you put into this review - it is so professional.
I'm very late to this discussion. The video is just stellar, so please take a bow. My own take on Roon is that it CHANGED my thinking about my audio system/s. I went from having a Node 2.1 patched into my KEFs (LS50 wireless round 1), to picking up a Mac M1 mini to serve as a dedicated Roon Core. My big surprise is that, to me, everything sounded much better streaming from the Mini to the KEFS instead of using the USB out on the Mini to the KEFs (USB B). Clearly, I don't need many interconnects with my set up thanks to Roon's RAAT backbone. The Node 2.1 has been moved to serve as my headphone connection (with my Sony Headphones--the version you reviewed). Since they are powered, the sound is amazing. Anyway, Roon is just a great way to deliver great music around my home. And your video hammers on this critical point. And yes, I'm a life-time subscriber--I went from "Free Trial" to Lifetime in 2 weeks.
First class review. Really clear. I am with you on Roon and Roon Radio. Love how it integrates the NAS etc.with Qobuz - totally seamlessly. Have discovered *so* many new artists (to me) as a result of the software. And there is much more. Bought a lifetime sub within a month or two as we couldn't imagine being without it. Quite pricey - yes - but worth every c. Greetings to one and All
I didn’t want to make it too involved like the one Hans did but just the main things I take from it, and I thought it important to show where the mouse moves too in the screen clips. Plus all those graphics with the brain as core and arrows and outputs all had to be done in after effects. I did them myself except ones where I said credit to Roon. The innuos was drawn graphically in inkscape and I had to 3d rotoscope track the screen to the moving Mac in the start sequence using mocha in after effects. This video took 100-120 hours, but I love it. lol. 😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I too enjoy Hans b's reviews, though they are very serious and matter of fact, drawn from his Engineering background, I recognise that as an Engineer myself, but your light hearted user perspective works, which in turn is why I enjoy both your websites written content and its visual sister, here on the Tube.
@@alex_g_wood Thanks Alexander, I think it's middle of May we can visit other people's places with the lockdown rules (I thought it was when the shops opened today) but I'll definitely remember to make contact nearer the time and look forward to it. In the meantime thanks for your nice words re my videos.
The best roon info video on the net. More please. I took the Roon free trial then cancelled it but then after going but 24 hours later I subscribed. I've ordered a basic NAS for storing my ripped CDs but I'm a bit nervous now as at 03:58 you say yours is for lesser quality music. Can you explain ?
Cheers, need more customer support to keep these coming. Please donate and sign up to patreon to support me and answer questions as I don’t make lots of money and nor can I sustain this yet!
Dedicated to Richard Wagner, Timewind is a 60-minute electronic expedition that is broken up into two half-hour tracks, "Bayreuth Return" and "Wahnfried 1883."" Love it! Thank you!
Thank-you. Some of the earlier stuff is so good like all the electronic pioneers eg vangelis. A track called ‘to the unknown man’ as in this video at the end (a cover). I think it’s the simple well musically written music that is often the most effective. Like that vangelis Chung Kuo track i used on my Denafrips Venus II video. So effective and emotive music. What a talented guy vangelis is.
Hi Simon. Good review about room but I'm still not convinced that I need it, especially when Spotify hi-fi arrives. It's the cost of having both that puts me off, especially when Spotify have a very good interface to start with and it's so easy to work round. At the end of the day I am only interested in listening to and discovering new music and Spotify already helps me do that.
Hi Steve, I think your view is probably similar to a number of people but if you are like me before when I was dubious about it, that’s probably (like me before) from not knowing how it works and the use you can get out of it. The way Roon offers Roon radio and search lists is like no other in finding music, as I’ve said loads of times. I’d recommend putting it on a pc as a trial, show it your NAS or whatever and plumb in streaming services Qobuz or tidal, and you’ll see how much music it will find you, as well as how much you find from its clickable links. Then either cancel it or carry on, but you probably won’t want to go back to how you were before. Bw Simon
@@13thnotehifireviews7 your right in saying that it's not knowing anything about roon that is probably stopping me from exploring it. When Spotify hi-fi arrives it will probably be around £15 a month, which is fine, but an extra £13 on top would be an issue not so much for me, but the wife and I can understand her issues with it. It might be something to look at in hopefully the near future when businesses start operating again, with all the lockdown issues. We are only living on one wage at the moment so that is a driving factor financially. It would be interesting to see how much better roon recommends similar music to that of Spotify. That would determine whether or not it is worth the extra cost.
Thanks for this. I am not familiar with Roon (as a user) but I do think it will be "just the ticket" as a support feature for my future music research via streaming. I love discovering new music that is, of course, to my liking, and with today's streaming offerings? - I have to pinch myself. My first introduction to good sounding music was back in the 50s. Yup, I am that old but to be honest - I wouldn't have it any other way. Until streaming came along - researching and finding good music was always an expensive venture if I wanted to own it. I can't tell you how many CDs I've purchased for that one song while the rest of the tracks held no interest. Streaming eliminates these types of past but once necessary costs and more importantly - offers high quality music files that are in vast abundance all at the click of a mouse. The fellow below voiced his opinion relevant to expense (pointless I don't get) but for myself I see the Roon offering as a high-end, reasonably priced tool that fits the musical landscape I plan to build and explore. Thanks again Simon - your TH-cam material is always educational and enjoyable!
Nice review Simon, very informative. Having recently discovered your channel, I do appreciate your high production values. The slick visuals but also the accompanying music, both the selection and the playback quality. It always seems to have a noticeably higher dynamic range and clarity than whatever random clip preceded it, music/hifi related or not. Not sure what your secret sauce is there, but it's all good!
Thanks very much Jacob. I just ensure its CD quality in the editing software and the volume levels similar. I render in 25fps and higher frame rates for the after effects stuff to make it nice and smooth like 60fps, so no judder. If I clip from other videos it can be less smooth because Im left with whatever quality and frame rate that video is in.
Can I install the Roon Core on a separate Partition from My operating system? My OS is on C: drive like most. Can I install the Roon core on a different partion such as D: or E:? keeping it with my music on the E: partition or does it need to be on C:? Thank you for all your great video's.
u deserve the highest praise for your video which are first class and make me just want to explore more music that maybe werent my cuppa tea but uopen my mind to things. ive been sit on the fence about streaming as i have a lifetime collection of vinyl and cd and box sets but maybe i need to get in the real world now lol thank u. Simon. u my favorite you tuber and look foward to quality cheers from aussie land p,s u a gem and desreve a million subs u get thre one day shine on. darko the other i like ex pat in germany
Thank you Gerard, it's comments like yours which make me carry on doing this as the support and feedback means so much. From a damp and dreary Pommie land atm - going to the shops on the first day they are open in the UK now after lockdown. Horrah. 😁👌👍
Roon is in its own league but as a retired senior with fixed income, $130/year seems too much. I saved my money and bought an Eversolo DMP-A6, love the way it presents my FLAC/CD collection and for $13/month enjoy a subscription to Apple Music which gives me access to thousands of albums and has its own radio station feature for listening to similar music. No roon server for me!
Newbie here. Recently found your channel. I love music and want to stream it. Trying to build my hifi system. Currently have BW 702 S2. Looking to add Hegel H390 and Roon. I see that you like both the Hegel and Roon. Here’s where I am confused, I keep reading that Hegel H390 is no Roon ready and I would have to Airplay to Roon, but lose sound quality. How do you use Hegel with Roon and keep HiFi sound quality? You do great reviews and I trust your advice. I also have the new iMac I plan to load Roon on. Lastly, what do you think of my BW speakers? Did I make a mistake buying them? They sounded great in the showroom, but with a better receiver than I currently have.
You realy have a laidback format of presenting your toughts, I love it. It´s you and J Darko. It`s a formative and no bullshit reviews. Thank you. If you have the time to review the new Ifi streamer. Probobly more people than me ho has an external DAC and don´t want in your setup. But maybe I´m better wihtout? Streaming Qobus from my mac thrue an optical cable. I know I can´t gett Hi-res. I don´t have a peoblem with that. Most of my files are in flac or lossless. Otherwise I´m a qobus man when it comes to streaming. Do we realy need a streamer? Thank you for good work. Lasse
Thank you Lars, really appreciate it. I try not to be too full of myself and don’t take HiFi too seriously. Doing some 3D modelling on the Hidizs dongle dac atm. Love it. 👍😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Have to dongle dacs. One X-duo and a Astel and Kern. With my Thiie audio Legacy 3. I can´t hear any difference. But whenn I putt on my 6xx or elecx dropp. It´s like night and day. And have a Denafrips Aries 2 and a SMSL, the weird one. But looking for something better. We see. THX for the answer. Keep on.
Nice review. I used Roon a few months ago but after the first paid month I cancelled. It is a sweet app, but I couldn't get past paying £13 monthly for what is essentially an interface. it is a modest sum, but then you add Spotify and something like Qobuz/Tidal and it gets a bit toppy in terms of a streaming cost. Truth be told I didn't really give it enough time and so will be renewing my subscription today on the basis of your review. I am a bit of a collector of computer hardware and bought a MS Surface Pro 7 last year. A lovely fanless core i5 PC/tablet but I bought on a whim and hardly use it, preferring a Chromebook for media browsing and a Linux desktop PC for work. Roon actually runs quite nicely on the Surface acting as core and remote app. Buy a large micro SD card (I added a 512gb) to hold your local files and fit to the Surface Pro. End point in my case is a Node 2i connected to a Cyrus 8 Dac via spdif. An all wireless solution so you need a robust wireless network but works very well.
Thank you. Interesting comments re installation for Roon. I had the 6DAC a while back before I started this channel, which I owned and sold through a big Cyrus upgrade path - pre qx dac then dac Xp signature, the node 2i is a cracker. Then I saw the light on Hegel and sold my Cyrus signature gear. Some of that Cyrus gear is reviewed on my channel if it’s of interest.
Hi James,it’s a Roon ‘end point’ (airplay 2) which is what I mentioned ie doesn’t have to be ready or tested but can be a Roon player . Roon ready is in pipeline for Hegel . But you can still send their amps cd quality streams over airplay 2. Regards Simon
@@13thnotehifireviews7 out of interest, how long do you plan to keep paying for the monthly subscription and what happens when it surpasses the lifetime sub. Assuming you keep paying for that long
I don’t pay now as I get Roon free like most HiFi reviewers but I did pay for a few years for it. I still think it’s wise to not pay for lifetime as things will prob change in 5 years
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Thanks, i will take that underadvisement. Final question and regarding discovering new music. As it seems Spotify will never be baked into the Roon software, do you think Spotify users lose out on a key feature? it looks like I need to move to Tidal to take full advantage. Thoughts? Thanks
Thanks very much Irene. 👍😀 One way around the new server cost if you don’t want to run it on an existing pc or Mac, is to maybe buy a used NUC. They are cheap as chips for audiophile use.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Thanks for the tip Simon. I will look in to it. 👍😎👍 All savable money are directed towards a NAD T778 right now. It can be a tad tough to be an audiophile and single parent to a couple of wee ones, but Im getting there. 😅 Thanks again.
Excellent review, your videos are top notch. Roon looks like an excellent product. BUT... I have been doing the same for years, for free, using various combinations of NAS, Kodi servers and streaming clients. Roon is doubtlessly better featured and integrated for most users, but there are free alternatives.
Thanks peter. But Roon are not communicating why it is better really because people still see it in the same light as free alternates. Roon radio and interface and it definitely isn’t.
No matter how hard I try, I just can't get my head around how I could benefit from this system at home. Maybe I just need to invest in a much bigger music library 👌
I'm about to get the NAD M10 and just discovered Roon. How does Roon work with the Dirac filters when using M10? Any issue? Is it more reliable when using Roons dsp ? Eg using the measurements from dirac to use inside Roon? I might not understand the intricacies of this.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 If I keep the M10 yes that would be easiest. But if I don't keep the M10, I'm not sure how to use the exact settings from Dirac in Roon. But like you said, maybe I can find more info on that online with more digging. I'm going with the NAD so this may or may not be revisited in the future. Thanks for help. I have a feeling I'll just prefer the form factor of the M10 vs any other type of multiple piece setup, aside from a tube amp.
Roon is worth for people who have multiple endpoints and those who have multiple music sources particularly if you have your own library. To have multiple sources is a bit fad to me - if you have streaming service with 80 million songs why would you need to own private library? Anyway in other cases its dubious - yes it looks nice but not 10-13 a month nice. Some streaming services are capable of recommending similar music according to your taste - Spotify, tidal. Sure tidal comes at premium price compared to fairly simple Qobuz - Qobuz + Roon would still be more expensive than Tidal premium. RAAT is handy though and there are devices that don't support MQA directly but support Roon but I doubt anyone would go with Tidal + Roon. Shame there isn't integration with Apple Music (probably apple to be blamed) no Amazon music, no TH-cam music. If it had it then more people would opt for it for the sake of integration of multiple sources in one place. I would.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 interesting that there are some albums not available - must be very niche music? point stands its a very niche product for few and as such is priced accordingly. If it was more mainstream - and it could be if they included other streaming platforms - it would cheaper, much cheaper and no brainer choice. Otherwise hard to justify the price if you run only single endpoint, single source, and your streaming service already gives you good AI for discovering music. Im surprised really they don't want to make it more mainstream. Support for Roon is fairly mainstream.
I agree with you it’s high price for mainstream but for audiophiles who spend a chunk not so . It fits a market of audiophiles which is niche and why the price is high - supply and demand. I doubt they will add Spotify - I think from memory Roon is 100k subs ish whereas Spotify many tens of millions using Spotify app , so that picture paints many words
@@13thnotehifireviews7For example I want to know what is the best Hi Res recordings for Beethovens last movement of 3rd Symphony will Roon present all different recordings of the same piece music showing from CD quality to various DSD recordings or will it just show the piece of music Roon actually has in its storage so it will be a hit or miss affair as to actual recording quality?
Do I understand correctly that what Roon refers to as an Endpoint is simply the last device in which the data is in a digital form? In other words, an Endpoint in Roons description is the dac that converts digital to analog, is that correct?
No it’s where the music reaches the stage it’s output so far as that Roon end point. So a DAC like chord qutest , a streamer like Cambridge audio cxn v2 or all in one streaming amp like an nad m10
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Please excuse my not understanding. Tell me if I’m getting any closer. The Chord Qutest is a standalone DAC and only a DAC yet it is an endpoint. The Cambridge CXN V2 is a DAC but includes networking capabilities including a streamer, and it is also an endpoint. The NAD M10 is a DAC with capabilities somewhat similar to the Cambridge, including a streamer, and it also includes amplification, and it is also an endpoint. The common denominator of these three is the DAC. But the DAC isn’t an endpoint. The streamer can’t be an endpoint because the Chord Qutest is an endpoint and it doesn’t have a streamer. So, what exactly is an endpoint?
It’s just where the music comes to an end so far as the journey of Roon is concerned, ie so far as the Roon software and protocol. Yes the streamer or dac can be the end point. Really simple. So as the chord Qutest is the end point DAC, if I then feed the music into another device which isn’t recognised by roon, then the Qutest stays the end point output. It’s essentially the device in the software I show in the video - my rme dac I use and the Qutest too.
I’m a new ROON subscriber and I use it primarily to play back flac files from my M1 Mac Mini. However, I haven’t figured out how to integrate Apple Music. You mention in this video that it’s possible. How do you do that?
Don't think I did Brent. I was probably talking about Airplay which is different to Apple Music, without watching back. As far as I understand it, you can integrate Tidal and Qobuz into Roon but no support for Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon etc.
Philip was originally from Greece, and a musical institution and because his German origins allowed him the original German surname, Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg ....’everybody’s talking about pop music’. it got him into the German Krautrock musical scene. When one of his Mountbatten relatives got blown up by the IRA around a concert, he had to give it up, so he went into public service and spent years doing good work for good causes.
Thanks for your opinion Tony. It is worth trying if you haven’t and I’m a convert, as I said in the video. Roon radio with its very smart AI algorithm, and the layout, are big reasons for Roon. It’s the utility of Roon and what it brings in finding new music is the benefit.
Always enjoy your videos, but your cred lept up for me with your use of "Push the Sky Away." Personal for sure, but a weird compliment frorm me nonetheless ;-). Great explaination otherwise.
Software that gives you access to what you already have and charges you as much as Netflix, giving you no extra content! It does a good job of linking your music streaming service account library and that on your personal server, but until they revise the pricing, it's just not value for money.
Thanks for your comment. I’d say Roon doesn’t give you what you have - search ability and Roon radio. Also it’s unfair to compare Roon pricing with Netflix. Netflix has 200 million subscribers, Roon around 100,000 so of course it will be different economics and pricing. If Roon had the subscriber numbers of Netflix it would be paid for by advertising maybe or cost a fraction of what it does.
It has a reputation of being the best in the business and I agree. That server was/is clunky. Considering some audiophile prices are merging on the crazy, when something is really good but the prices are relatively cheap but at the same time not mass market prices considering the market audiophile software works in, I’m all for it. I guess you didn’t factor that one in? 😉
This is a brilliantly shot and edited video. The review is first class too. Really impressed.
Thankyou very much. Definitely the idea . Takes lots of work but enjoyable to make too
@@13thnotehifireviews7 You are welcome. I actually unsubscribed from Roon but on the strength of this video I've re-enabled recurring billing! So a big thank you.
@@13thnotehifireviews7
Hello, I would like to know if Roon is better than Jriver Media Center in terms of sound quality in the case of use with a PCM and DSD compatible ASIO sound card.
I use the same sound card as you with Neumann KH 120 A. 😉
You've stepped up your game on the production. I appreciate the way presented this review. New subscriber.
Thank you , loads of effort in this one but I love it
By far the best description of Roon I’ve seen. Great production too.
Wow, thank you very much!
I hadn’t really considered Roon before, but might have changed my mind.
@@gcb1954 trying the free trial is a no brainer really.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Very true. I have a NAD C368 with BluOS & use Tidal with MQA.
@@gcb1954 I've still got the NAD M10 on long term loan which I'm using with my own KEF LS50 Meta's. What is good with NAD is they are good value for money in the audiophile sphere against brands like Naim or Cyrus. Much like Cambridge Audio.
The production value of your videos is through the roof, but the real reason I watch them is for clear, simple, and honest information. Pretty graphics or not, I’ll keep watching. Thank you.
Thank you so much Thomas. Really appreciated. Hopefully it has something to appeal to all. I don’t want my videos to be about me, and a man in front of the camera like some TH-cam channels because that makes me uneasy and I don’t like the idea of being seen to present self importance etc. Sometimes I watch some well known YT channels and I think it isn’t about the hifi but the person presenting because people sometimes live vicariously through others online. I hope all the effort I put into making it creative, whilst very enjoyable for me, at the same time shows the hifi and music is the reason we do this, not the person who does or presents it. It has an aim to reach a wider audience , not be alien but inclusive, and not be such it can only be understood by regular viewers.
Thanks for indepth explanation but easy to understand for someone who has only just heard of Roon.
Thanks for that excellent review Simon. Well done!
Thankyou Very much Hawk999!😀👌👍
As a new user of Roon (2-week free trial phase) I am very glad I watched your video. Absolutely the BEST👍👍. I am hooked with the Roon interface.
Cheers very much. I’ll keep using mine.
Superb review. I had downloaded Roon as a free trial and didn't know where to start or really if it was worth anything to me in terms of music enjoyment. You have made a persuasive case. I will experiment in earnest now. Thank you so much for the time you put into this review - it is so professional.
Thank you for your really great comments Peter. Glad you liked it. It’s a no brainer to try really on the free trial.
thank you. you convinced me it is Roon time.
Simon many congratulations on a very well put together and comprehensive review.
Thanks Adrian
I'm very late to this discussion. The video is just stellar, so please take a bow. My own take on Roon is that it CHANGED my thinking about my audio system/s. I went from having a Node 2.1 patched into my KEFs (LS50 wireless round 1), to picking up a Mac M1 mini to serve as a dedicated Roon Core. My big surprise is that, to me, everything sounded much better streaming from the Mini to the KEFS instead of using the USB out on the Mini to the KEFs (USB B). Clearly, I don't need many interconnects with my set up thanks to Roon's RAAT backbone. The Node 2.1 has been moved to serve as my headphone connection (with my Sony Headphones--the version you reviewed). Since they are powered, the sound is amazing. Anyway, Roon is just a great way to deliver great music around my home. And your video hammers on this critical point. And yes, I'm a life-time subscriber--I went from "Free Trial" to Lifetime in 2 weeks.
Thank you Catherine and thanks for sharing your experiences too. 😀👍👌
First class review. Really clear. I am with you on Roon and Roon Radio. Love how it integrates the NAS etc.with Qobuz - totally seamlessly. Have discovered *so* many new artists (to me) as a result of the software. And there is much more. Bought a lifetime sub within a month or two as we couldn't imagine being without it. Quite pricey - yes - but worth every c. Greetings to one and All
Thank you very much for your terrific vote of confidence Anthony.
FANTASTIC work on your part
Thanks very much James
Amazing review Simon. Keep up the quality work.
Thank you very much !! 😀👌
ROON is a difficult presence to capture and describe, you nailed it in one. If I wasn't a subscriber already, I would be looking.
I didn’t want to make it too involved like the one Hans did but just the main things I take from it, and I thought it important to show where the mouse moves too in the screen clips. Plus all those graphics with the brain as core and arrows and outputs all had to be done in after effects. I did them myself except ones where I said credit to Roon. The innuos was drawn graphically in inkscape and I had to 3d rotoscope track the screen to the moving Mac in the start sequence using mocha in after effects. This video took 100-120 hours, but I love it. lol. 😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I too enjoy Hans b's reviews, though they are very serious and matter of fact, drawn from his Engineering background, I recognise that as an Engineer myself, but your light hearted user perspective works, which in turn is why I enjoy both your websites written content and its visual sister, here on the Tube.
@@alex_g_wood Thanks Alexander, I think it's middle of May we can visit other people's places with the lockdown rules (I thought it was when the shops opened today) but I'll definitely remember to make contact nearer the time and look forward to it. In the meantime thanks for your nice words re my videos.
The best roon info video on the net. More please. I took the Roon free trial then cancelled it but then after going but 24 hours later I subscribed. I've ordered a basic NAS for storing my ripped CDs but I'm a bit nervous now as at 03:58 you say yours is for lesser quality music. Can you explain ?
Cheers, need more customer support to keep these coming. Please donate and sign up to patreon to support me and answer questions as I don’t make lots of money and nor can I sustain this yet!
Dedicated to Richard Wagner, Timewind is a 60-minute electronic expedition that is broken up into two half-hour tracks, "Bayreuth Return" and "Wahnfried 1883.""
Love it! Thank you!
Thank-you. Some of the earlier stuff is so good like all the electronic pioneers eg vangelis. A track called ‘to the unknown man’ as in this video at the end (a cover). I think it’s the simple well musically written music that is often the most effective. Like that vangelis Chung Kuo track i used on my Denafrips Venus II video. So effective and emotive music. What a talented guy vangelis is.
Hi Simon. Good review about room but I'm still not convinced that I need it, especially when Spotify hi-fi arrives. It's the cost of having both that puts me off, especially when Spotify have a very good interface to start with and it's so easy to work round. At the end of the day I am only interested in listening to and discovering new music and Spotify already helps me do that.
Hi Steve, I think your view is probably similar to a number of people but if you are like me before when I was dubious about it, that’s probably (like me before) from not knowing how it works and the use you can get out of it. The way Roon offers Roon radio and search lists is like no other in finding music, as I’ve said loads of times. I’d recommend putting it on a pc as a trial, show it your NAS or whatever and plumb in streaming services Qobuz or tidal, and you’ll see how much music it will find you, as well as how much you find from its clickable links. Then either cancel it or carry on, but you probably won’t want to go back to how you were before. Bw Simon
@@13thnotehifireviews7 your right in saying that it's not knowing anything about roon that is probably stopping me from exploring it. When Spotify hi-fi arrives it will probably be around £15 a month, which is fine, but an extra £13 on top would be an issue not so much for me, but the wife and I can understand her issues with it. It might be something to look at in hopefully the near future when businesses start operating again, with all the lockdown issues. We are only living on one wage at the moment so that is a driving factor financially. It would be interesting to see how much better roon recommends similar music to that of Spotify. That would determine whether or not it is worth the extra cost.
@@steverees1936 how's that Spotify hifi working out for you, Steve?
Thanks for this. I am not familiar with Roon (as a user) but I do think it will be "just the
ticket" as a support feature for my future music research via streaming. I love discovering
new music that is, of course, to my liking, and with today's streaming offerings? - I have to pinch
myself. My first introduction to good sounding music was back in the 50s. Yup, I am that old but
to be honest - I wouldn't have it any other way. Until streaming came along - researching and finding
good music was always an expensive venture if I wanted to own it. I can't tell you how many CDs
I've purchased for that one song while the rest of the tracks held no interest. Streaming eliminates
these types of past but once necessary costs and more importantly - offers high quality music files that are in vast abundance all at the click of a mouse.
The fellow below voiced his opinion relevant to expense (pointless I don't get) but for myself I
see the Roon offering as a high-end, reasonably priced tool that fits the musical landscape I plan to build and explore.
Thanks again Simon - your TH-cam material is always educational and enjoyable!
Thanks Charles , that mirrors my experiences and it’s about using the interface to find new music with Roon for sure. Bw simon
Nice review Simon, very informative. Having recently discovered your channel, I do appreciate your high production values. The slick visuals but also the accompanying music, both the selection and the playback quality. It always seems to have a noticeably higher dynamic range and clarity than whatever random clip preceded it, music/hifi related or not. Not sure what your secret sauce is there, but it's all good!
Thanks very much Jacob. I just ensure its CD quality in the editing software and the volume levels similar. I render in 25fps and higher frame rates for the after effects stuff to make it nice and smooth like 60fps, so no judder. If I clip from other videos it can be less smooth because Im left with whatever quality and frame rate that video is in.
Thanks for the great video - my only regret with Roon is that I didn’t start using it earlier. I cant imagine not having a subscription
Thank you very much.
Can I install the Roon Core on a separate Partition from My operating system? My OS is on C: drive like most. Can I install the Roon core on a different partion such as D: or E:? keeping it with my music on the E: partition or does it need to be on C:? Thank you for all your great video's.
Much appreciated Simon...heading now to your site to read further.
Thank you for your nice comments
u deserve the highest praise for your video which are first class and make me just want to explore more music that maybe werent my cuppa tea but uopen my mind to things. ive been sit on the fence about streaming as i have a lifetime collection of vinyl and cd and box sets but maybe i need to get in the real world now lol thank u. Simon. u my favorite you tuber and look foward to quality cheers from aussie land
p,s u a gem and desreve a million subs u get thre one day shine on. darko the other i like ex pat in germany
Thank you Gerard, it's comments like yours which make me carry on doing this as the support and feedback means so much. From a damp and dreary Pommie land atm - going to the shops on the first day they are open in the UK now after lockdown. Horrah. 😁👌👍
Roon is in its own league but as a retired senior with fixed income, $130/year seems too much. I saved my money and bought an Eversolo DMP-A6, love the way it presents my FLAC/CD collection and for $13/month enjoy a subscription to Apple Music which gives me access to thousands of albums and has its own radio station feature for listening to similar music. No roon server for me!
Newbie here. Recently found your channel. I love music and want to stream it. Trying to build my hifi system. Currently have BW 702 S2. Looking to add Hegel H390 and Roon. I see that you like both the Hegel and Roon. Here’s where I am confused, I keep reading that Hegel H390 is no Roon ready and I would have to Airplay to Roon, but lose sound quality. How do you use Hegel with Roon and keep HiFi sound quality? You do great reviews and I trust your advice. I also have the new iMac I plan to load Roon on. Lastly, what do you think of my BW speakers? Did I make a mistake buying them? They sounded great in the showroom, but with a better receiver than I currently have.
Thanks for your comments. I’m offering advice and questions answered like this on patreon
I was able to set mine up via Nuc loving it.
Is it easy to do?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Very easy and i consider myself a tech novice
Great review Simon. I wish I had this 12 months ago when I first ventured into Roon 👍
Thanks very much Barry. How was the cable?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 the cable is fantastic I’m keeping it, it’s made a difference to my sound.
@@barryjoyce9249 that’s good and you were able to assess first too. Happy listening!
Roon charges $13 or so per month? Does that include the music or do you still need to subscribe to another source for content?
Streaming on top
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I’m sorry but do you mean that you pay extra to stream?
@@greenbeginner3353 yes
You realy have a laidback format of presenting your toughts, I love it. It´s you and J Darko. It`s a formative and no bullshit reviews. Thank you. If you have the time to review the new Ifi streamer. Probobly more people than me ho has an external DAC and don´t want in your setup. But maybe I´m better wihtout? Streaming Qobus from my mac thrue an optical cable. I know I can´t gett Hi-res. I don´t have a peoblem with that. Most of my files are in flac or lossless. Otherwise I´m a qobus man when it comes to streaming. Do we realy need a streamer? Thank you for good work. Lasse
Thank you Lars, really appreciate it. I try not to be too full of myself and don’t take HiFi too seriously. Doing some 3D modelling on the Hidizs dongle dac atm. Love it. 👍😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Have to dongle dacs. One X-duo and a Astel and Kern. With my Thiie audio Legacy 3. I can´t hear any difference. But whenn I putt on my 6xx or elecx dropp. It´s like night and day. And have a Denafrips Aries 2 and a SMSL, the weird one. But looking for something better. We see. THX for the answer. Keep on.
Nice review. I used Roon a few months ago but after the first paid month I cancelled.
It is a sweet app, but I couldn't get past paying £13 monthly for what is essentially an interface. it is a modest sum, but then you add Spotify and something like Qobuz/Tidal and it gets a bit toppy in terms of a streaming cost.
Truth be told I didn't really give it enough time and so will be renewing my subscription today on the basis of your review.
I am a bit of a collector of computer hardware and bought a MS Surface Pro 7 last year. A lovely fanless core i5 PC/tablet but I bought on a whim and hardly use it, preferring a Chromebook for media browsing and a Linux desktop PC for work. Roon actually runs quite nicely on the Surface acting as core and remote app. Buy a large micro SD card (I added a 512gb) to hold your local files and fit to the Surface Pro. End point in my case is a Node 2i connected to a Cyrus 8 Dac via spdif. An all wireless solution so you need a robust wireless network but works very well.
Thank you. Interesting comments re installation for Roon. I had the 6DAC a while back before I started this channel, which I owned and sold through a big Cyrus upgrade path - pre qx dac then dac Xp signature, the node 2i is a cracker. Then I saw the light on Hegel and sold my Cyrus signature gear. Some of that Cyrus gear is reviewed on my channel if it’s of interest.
I don’t see that Hegel is Roon ready, have they released some new firmware?
Hi James,it’s a Roon ‘end point’ (airplay 2) which is what I mentioned ie doesn’t have to be ready or tested but can be a Roon player . Roon ready is in pipeline for Hegel . But you can still send their amps cd quality streams over airplay 2. Regards Simon
Where does Roon get all those album info and artist bios? Is it limited only to English written info?
I think just English. Gets it from review sites etc.
Awesome review. Thank you
Thank you too. Just about to publish a new one 😁❤️
@@13thnotehifireviews7 can't wait!
@@13thnotehifireviews7 out of interest, how long do you plan to keep paying for the monthly subscription and what happens when it surpasses the lifetime sub. Assuming you keep paying for that long
I don’t pay now as I get Roon free like most HiFi reviewers but I did pay for a few years for it. I still think it’s wise to not pay for lifetime as things will prob change in 5 years
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Thanks, i will take that underadvisement. Final question and regarding discovering new music. As it seems Spotify will never be baked into the Roon software, do you think Spotify users lose out on a key feature? it looks like I need to move to Tidal to take full advantage. Thoughts? Thanks
Wish I could afford it, but,, economy says no.
Thanks for your impressive work and time Simon.
Cheers from Sweden,, 🍻😎👍.
Thanks very much Irene. 👍😀 One way around the new server cost if you don’t want to run it on an existing pc or Mac, is to maybe buy a used NUC. They are cheap as chips for audiophile use.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Thanks for the tip Simon. I will look in to it. 👍😎👍
All savable money are directed towards a NAD T778 right now.
It can be a tad tough to be an audiophile and single parent to a couple of wee ones, but Im getting there. 😅
Thanks again.
@@IrenESorius i spent about 400 US dollars in total setting my Nuc up
@@kofitheakan9328 Thanks for the info. Cheers,, 🍻😎👍
Excellent review, your videos are top notch. Roon looks like an excellent product. BUT...
I have been doing the same for years, for free, using various combinations of NAS, Kodi servers and streaming clients.
Roon is doubtlessly better featured and integrated for most users, but there are free alternatives.
Thanks peter. But Roon are not communicating why it is better really because people still see it in the same light as free alternates. Roon radio and interface and it definitely isn’t.
No matter how hard I try, I just can't get my head around how I could benefit from this system at home.
Maybe I just need to invest in a much bigger music library 👌
I’d recommend giving the free trial a go Matthew and see how you go.
Might do just that 👌
I'm about to get the NAD M10 and just discovered Roon. How does Roon work with the Dirac filters when using M10? Any issue? Is it more reliable when using Roons dsp ? Eg using the measurements from dirac to use inside Roon? I might not understand the intricacies of this.
I would set Dirac in this and then use Roon without dsp.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 If I keep the M10 yes that would be easiest. But if I don't keep the M10, I'm not sure how to use the exact settings from Dirac in Roon. But like you said, maybe I can find more info on that online with more digging. I'm going with the NAD so this may or may not be revisited in the future. Thanks for help. I have a feeling I'll just prefer the form factor of the M10 vs any other type of multiple piece setup, aside from a tube amp.
Roon is worth for people who have multiple endpoints and those who have multiple music sources particularly if you have your own library. To have multiple sources is a bit fad to me - if you have streaming service with 80 million songs why would you need to own private library? Anyway in other cases its dubious - yes it looks nice but not 10-13 a month nice. Some streaming services are capable of recommending similar music according to your taste - Spotify, tidal. Sure tidal comes at premium price compared to fairly simple Qobuz - Qobuz + Roon would still be more expensive than Tidal premium. RAAT is handy though and there are devices that don't support MQA directly but support Roon but I doubt anyone would go with Tidal + Roon. Shame there isn't integration with Apple Music (probably apple to be blamed) no Amazon music, no TH-cam music. If it had it then more people would opt for it for the sake of integration of multiple sources in one place. I would.
Roon radio is a killer feature and organisation of albums plus you can’t get a lot of my cds (about 1000) on streaming services
@@13thnotehifireviews7 interesting that there are some albums not available - must be very niche music? point stands its a very niche product for few and as such is priced accordingly. If it was more mainstream - and it could be if they included other streaming platforms - it would cheaper, much cheaper and no brainer choice. Otherwise hard to justify the price if you run only single endpoint, single source, and your streaming service already gives you good AI for discovering music. Im surprised really they don't want to make it more mainstream. Support for Roon is fairly mainstream.
I agree with you it’s high price for mainstream but for audiophiles who spend a chunk not so . It fits a market of audiophiles which is niche and why the price is high - supply and demand. I doubt they will add Spotify - I think from memory Roon is 100k subs ish whereas Spotify many tens of millions using Spotify app , so that picture paints many words
Does Roon Hi Res recordings, if so is their a specific list of HiRes recordings?
Not sure I understand the question. Can you clarify?
@@13thnotehifireviews7For example I want to know what is the best Hi Res recordings for Beethovens last movement of 3rd Symphony will Roon present all different recordings of the same piece music showing from CD quality to various DSD recordings or will it just show the piece of music Roon actually has in its storage so it will be a hit or miss affair as to actual recording quality?
Stargazer Stargazer if you contribute to cost of my site via PayPal or patreon if not already - even if small way I’d be happy to do that for you
Do I understand correctly that what Roon refers to as an Endpoint is simply the last device in which the data is in a digital form? In other words, an Endpoint in Roons description is the dac that converts digital to analog, is that correct?
No it’s where the music reaches the stage it’s output so far as that Roon end point. So a DAC like chord qutest , a streamer like Cambridge audio cxn v2 or all in one streaming amp like an nad m10
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Please excuse my not understanding. Tell me if I’m getting any closer. The Chord Qutest is a standalone DAC and only a DAC yet it is an endpoint. The Cambridge CXN V2 is a DAC but includes networking capabilities including a streamer, and it is also an endpoint. The NAD M10 is a DAC with capabilities somewhat similar to the Cambridge, including a streamer, and it also includes amplification, and it is also an endpoint. The common denominator of these three is the DAC. But the DAC isn’t an endpoint. The streamer can’t be an endpoint because the Chord Qutest is an endpoint and it doesn’t have a streamer. So, what exactly is an endpoint?
It’s just where the music comes to an end so far as the journey of Roon is concerned, ie so far as the Roon software and protocol. Yes the streamer or dac can be the end point. Really simple. So as the chord Qutest is the end point DAC, if I then feed the music into another device which isn’t recognised by roon, then the Qutest stays the end point output. It’s essentially the device in the software I show in the video - my rme dac I use and the Qutest too.
I’m a new ROON subscriber and I use it primarily to play back flac files from my M1 Mac Mini. However, I haven’t figured out how to integrate Apple Music. You mention in this video that it’s possible. How do you do that?
Don't think I did Brent. I was probably talking about Airplay which is different to Apple Music, without watching back. As far as I understand it, you can integrate Tidal and Qobuz into Roon but no support for Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon etc.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 ok thanks!
Who was the old bloke at the end and what was the connection to Roon?
Philip was originally from Greece, and a musical institution and because his German origins allowed him the original German surname, Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg ....’everybody’s talking about pop music’. it got him into the German Krautrock musical scene. When one of his Mountbatten relatives got blown up by the IRA around a concert, he had to give it up, so he went into public service and spent years doing good work for good causes.
Great content... Thanks!
Thanks very much! 😁
great information
Thanks very much
Great work👏👏👏
Thank you very much
Even with your very detailed explanation of Roon, I still see it as pointless and expensive
Thanks for your opinion Tony. It is worth trying if you haven’t and I’m a convert, as I said in the video. Roon radio with its very smart AI algorithm, and the layout, are big reasons for Roon. It’s the utility of Roon and what it brings in finding new music is the benefit.
is it worth having roon if only stream from qobuz and tidal ?? wont really hold any cd's
I think so because it is still the way of searching and roon radio that are benefits.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 would i need a full nucleus to be the core or can i simply do this from my laptop ?
See comments / explained in video Glyn.
Always enjoy your videos, but your cred lept up for me with your use of "Push the Sky Away." Personal for sure, but a weird compliment frorm me nonetheless ;-). Great explaination otherwise.
Thank you. Nick cave lives in Brighton U.K. near me, love him. See him walking about sometimes.
Software that gives you access to what you already have and charges you as much as Netflix, giving you no extra content! It does a good job of linking your music streaming service account library and that on your personal server, but until they revise the pricing, it's just not value for money.
Thanks for your comment. I’d say Roon doesn’t give you what you have - search ability and Roon radio. Also it’s unfair to compare Roon pricing with Netflix. Netflix has 200 million subscribers, Roon around 100,000 so of course it will be different economics and pricing. If Roon had the subscriber numbers of Netflix it would be paid for by advertising maybe or cost a fraction of what it does.
Yup ROON is almost as well produced as your vids.
Thanks very much Michael as always, hope you liked this one.
so this is basically a fancy version of Logitech Media Server for $15 a month?
It has a reputation of being the best in the business and I agree. That server was/is clunky. Considering some audiophile prices are merging on the crazy, when something is really good but the prices are relatively cheap but at the same time not mass market prices considering the market audiophile software works in, I’m all for it. I guess you didn’t factor that one in? 😉