I was wondering if there’s a simple physical remote control (with buttons and all), that lets me skip tracks, rewind, control volume etc.
I am fine choosing an album or playlist on my tablet, but it is so inconvenient to look at a display for simple tasks like skipping a track.
It feels like we lost a lot of comfort with these so called smart devices.
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It’ll depend entirely on the endpoint. If it’s the tablet itself you might be able to find a suitable Bluetooth audio remote (volume, play/pause, skip, etc). A quick search of a well-known internet retailer offers quite a variety.
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Sorry I should have been clearer on the setup.
The setup purely runs the remote app. The streamer is RaspberryPi based and feed äs a classic DAC/Amp setup.
It feels like you’d need a remote-light endpoint inside a physical remote that somehow knows what endpoint you are referring to.
You can easily add an IR remote to the Raspberry Pi.
http://community.roonlabs.com/search?q=Flirc%20ir
If you run Ropieee, just add a sensor and remote, and configure in the Web interface.
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If your RPi is functioning as an endpoint for Roon, then RoPieee with and OSMC or FLIRC remote would work. Ropieee also works with Airplay, spotify, plexamp, UPNP/DLNA, squeezelite, and HQplayer. Have a look here: Getting Started | RoPieee
I use an Adafruit OSMC RF remote on a RPi3b with Digi+ pro hat and a display to control Roon that feeds my DAC/amp headphone setup and a pair of powered speakers. When setup properly I can skip forward/reverse, play/pause, stop and control the volume.
This is the remote I use: OSMC Remote Control - The Pi Hut
Not available for pre-order in the UK, though. Which could be a blessing as the product doesn’t seem to have favourable replies in their forum.
Even if you used this, or another universal remote, you’d still need an RPi running an IR sensor and software.
Thanks a lot for these suggestions, I’ll give these a go, although it looks like a bit more effort than I hoped for. So probably something for the colder seasons.
My Pi streamer is the one from ProJect, so will need to have a look how locked down that is.
(also trying to setup a Linux Desktop as an endpoint in the meantime, which is driving me nuts)
Or make life simple with a WiiM Pro complete with Remote.
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All you need is the Roon Bridge easy-install script to get up and running.
I did, thank you. Just trying to figure out, if and how I can you use an easy effects sink as my output “device” or if that is no working together with Roon
Nope, just the remote is all that is needed. Pre order will start once kickstarter backers have all received their pledges. They are about half way at the moment.
I’ve seen some of your posts about these remotes but I forgot the details. Am I remembering correctly that you bought the version 1 and the version 2 and, in both cases, they promised a lot more than they ended up delivering and then they moved on to the next hardware version?
How is that possible if the streamer, i.e., Raspberry Pi, doesn’t have an IR reciever? You’ll still need something to recieve and interpret what is sent.
Unfortunately you are correct.
I purchased from the very beginning and each time the software wasn’t mature enough for someone who didnt wish to tinker. This has improved since then if the videos and user feedback is to be believe. Remote 2 and remote 3 are both current.
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Unfolded circle created a roon integration that runs on the remote. Communication is done via the network.
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Interesting. Their track history makes it a tough sell for me. I’ll keep an eye on it, though. Thanks for the info.
And the ~£500 asking price for remote and dock. 
I would like a remote for Roon, Naim, and Roksan devices, but I’m not seeing many options, and the SofaBaton and SwitchBot don’t have glowing reviews. Maybe HomeAssistant* is an option?
*I’m running HA on a NUC8i3 plus Coral Edge TPU solely for Frigate NVR.
I have a couple Remote 2s from Unfolded Circle. If looking to perform a basic control of Roon zones it does it very nicely, but definitely a tinkerer’s remote if hoping to replace all remotes in the house.
Software is getting much better and number of integrations steadily climbing thanks to the user community. I have completely replaced my harmony remotes. I’ve had to lean into Home Assistant to talk to certain devices that don’t have native integrations on the remote as of yet, but thankfully it works well with home assistant. So if your home assistant can already control the devices you wish to have a remote for, then the Remote 2 or 3 will also work.
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It would be really great if there was some RF remote, so I can walk around my house and control the system without my phone or a tablet.. Just like Roku devices have…
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