I used to think JRiver sounded better when hosted from my Win10 machine. In fact, many thought and maybe still do think JRiver sounds better. But issues like track skipping, cutting off the final 20 seconds of songs, etc, etc led me to purchase a Roon Lifetime sub. Last weekend, I decided to try JRiver again after using Roon for over a year straight. I didn’t have the issues I had previously with songs cutting off, annoying bugs, or whatever. And it sounded really, really good. So I kept playing song after song. Several hours later, I decided to A/B it against Roon. I am very happy to report that they actually sounded the same. Or close enough that I could not discern any real difference. It was a very pleasant surprise indeed.
7 Likes
I bought a lifetime sub. for Roon as soon as it became available and never looked back. Every time I get to spend more than a few minutes with it I find another example or two of why it is such a great package.
Is it perfect? Probably not but I am not complaining one bit.
As Brian said we all have way more money invested in junk in the closet that will never get used or sold than the cost of Roon. 
9 Likes
Agreed. I can’t seem to find a reason why a software server would sound different than other, should both be working normally. Up until the streamer (first peace of hardware actually connected to the playback chain) it is only data being moved around.
I too did blind with room, minimserver, jriver and bubbleupnp (which act as a serve for qobuz). No difference whatsoever.
The ou difference comes with HQPlayer, when upsampling os DSP’ing. HQPlayer in “bit perfect” (upsampling set to none) sounds exactly like standalone roon to me (once you level march)
2 Likes
For sure Roon has issues. Its very very dependent on network quality. They do have bugs time to time. But progress is made by introducing new features, and that usually comes with a cost of bugs. Worked in IT for 30+ years, the one thing that is constant is change and bugs.
Before I moved the core it went through 3 cheapo switches and the last one in my media room. The sonore was connected to that via a media converter. Skips never happened, and it was rock solid. Only time I have issues is usually DSP on DSD, it kills the processor. DSP to me is the killer app part of Roon. Even asked Roon how does it work and posted here asking Ted and he agreed that is how it should be done before it hits the DS DAC. Love it. Most issues with roon is network related and people get very frustrated, especially the ones with top level Streamers like a Luman, or the two big A’s (spelling horrible). They just work out of the box and when you add Roon it gets complicated fast, so I get it.
Glad to see your SQ check confirmed no real difference.
After a while, it will be understood that roon is as functional as crinoline.
1 Like
I had to look up crinoline. Learnt something new today!
so what does that make the AirLens
The sheriff has come, I’ll go away 
haha i’m no sheriff or fanboy
seems roon and airlens go hand in hand, so just curious about the analogy
Not even remotely sure I’d get one. My RoPieeeXL Pi streamer + Pi2AES HAT + HQPlayer into my Denafrips Pontus II sounds great, so the AirLens would need to be a giant step up to justify its purchase.
1 Like
I still harbor a preference for JRMC over Roon for playing my library files. It’s often a close call though.
Once I get done fiddling with my recent room/equipment location reconfiguration, I’ll do some more A/B-ing.
Just to be clear, I much prefer my library files over Roon streaming files from Qobuz and Tidal when comparing what are ostensibly the same recordings.
I’ve stopped comparing. I decided a while ago to optimize my digital around Roon.
5 Likes
Do you have a link to this roon dsp analysis and Ted’s response?
Its a few pages down. I ask the question at the top and then post what Roon replied with something I really did not follow and Ted said its done right.
1 Like
Brian, can you elaborate on this? I thought Von Schweikert Audio did try some years ago to do some production in China, but brought everything back to the U.S. in short order.
It’s what my dealer 18 years ago told me. Yeah old info from when I got my VR4 Gen III SE speakers which I swapped out for sopras last year. So you very well may have more up to date info on VSA. Just pointing out many companies outsource the box, buy parts other manufacturers make. FR30 seems to be all their parts by design.
Right, that’s in line with the timeframe when VSA tried that. It lasted about a year or two. Since then, to my knowledge, VSA fabrication and construction is all done in the U.S. Damon Von Schweikert coincidentally spoke about it at the recent FLAX show.
1 Like
Due to Innuos software changes, I’m using usb from my Innuos streamer (Zen Mk3). It is well implemented, with a dedicated linear power supply. It sounds no different to ethernet output (i.e. galvanically isolated). Usb done well is fine.
I’m using a Chord C-USB cable, costs about $60, although it cost me about $7 when I got it 10 years ago.
I must admit I don’t see the point of this device, I have almost 30 Roon Ready devices and galvanic isolation is easy to achieve (using ethernet output like Innuos, integrate the streamer and DAC, make the whole thing wireless). But we shall see when it comes out.
1 Like
I agree. The Bridge II works fine for me. The only change I have made to my system is the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2. Unplugged the USB cable from the Directstream Dac, plugged into the Matrix and connected the Matrix to the DAC with the i2s hdmi cable. Am able to listen to DSD256. It appears that the only reason to get an Airlens is if you buy the new DAC which is not going to have a bridge and therefore will require a streamer.
2 Likes
Then you are not using the bridge any more. I think that’s the point of the Airlens for us PSAudio DAC owners. Its native i2s, and you get rid of the streamer, a cable, and a DDC. in return and add a streamer with great isolation. People with a DAC with only USB, not so much a benefit. Probably better off with a Sonore.
2 Likes
Will there be a I2s input on the Airlens for my NuWave phono or I will need to get the Mk2 DAC to get use of the galvanic isolation? I have a Directstream DAC Sr.