Roon’s “rather sizeable sound quality penalty” as worded by Lotus Hifi. The article https://www.lotushifi.co.uk/the-tidal-contros/ says something about Roon which concerns me, as I have purchased a Contros and I also have a lifetime Roon subscription. I have been trying to learn more about their statement but cannot find any info relating to how Roon might penalise the sound quality, compared to a native app such as Linn. Do you know what they are talking about? Can you make any comment about whether Roon will affect the sound quality in any way? Thank you.
AceRimmer
(Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!)
3
I moved this to the Roon Software Discussion software discussion area as it is not a support topic.
Thank you
If you have a search of the forum you will see that there are occasional threads where some decry Roon sound quality and others don’t.
In the end as there are no measurements for sound quality it is entirely in the ear of the beholder.
Personally I think that very few manufacturers would sign up for a service that they think degrades the sound of their product. When those manufacturers include DCs and Linn, you’ve got to wonder who’s in the right.
To measure the “sound quality” of a bit-perfect software player, all you need to do is verify that the bits it streams are the same as the bits it reads from the source. It’s been done, and it checks out. And this should conclude yet another useless thread about the difference in SQ between software players.
Since you have both Roon and the other thing, can you do some kind of comparison yourself?
If there is a glaring difference I’d be very interested to know. I’m also a Roon lifer - but (given cost limitations) if there’s a source which is drastically better I want to investigate
I’m sure we’ve all ditched/chopped plenty of other more expensive hardware/software items than Roon evolving (?) our systems - trying to scratch the unscratchable itch
Sorry, looked it up, shouldn’t have called it the thing
At USD60K it should be very good, and pales the cost of a Roon Lifer (and it’s waaaaay out of my league)
However, it does do Tidal et al (no Roon) so I’d still like to hear the verdict from the OP on how it compares to whatever his/her Roon is running on - I am ready with my couple of quid to slap down on the required lottery ticket
I’m not trying to be funny here; things move on and they cascade down - if the Contros really is a game changer I’m very happy to know there’s a bright future to look forward to
For those with deep enough pockets, maybe the convenience of Roon for casual listening/searching with a Contros for serious listening is a compelling argument - I know I’d give it a go
Hello.
The Contros is “Roon ready” though it takes a lot of digging to find that info.
Current hardware:
Auralic Aries G2.1 digital streaming transport;
PrimaLuna EVO 100 DAC;
PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp;
Musical Fidelity M8-700M, 700 watt monoblocks;
Tidal Contriva Diacera SE speakers;
Pair of REL No. 31 subs.
Roon is running on an Intel NUC.
With the current hardware I can hear no difference between Roon and Auralic’s LightningDS app, I use Qobuz as source along with my CD collection which I have ripped to a NAS.
I am going full Tidal with electronics, also getting the Ferios monoblock amps.
I think the biggest issue is you seem to put all your trust into a publication stating there is a difference?? Do you have any suspicion publications might have vested interest in protecting their advertisers?
Roon is measured as bit perfect, so where is the difference - noise propagation, output device quality/implementation? This would be easily measured.
Until there are measurements, this is all subjective and highly subject to vested interests & sighted influence.
