I’m not sure how RAAT should solve my problem. Currently, the lack of DLNA support in roon is my problem.
But… to be more precise…
I don’t plan to subscribe for Tidal, Spotify etc. My amp should only manage the core music tasks, thus getting basic input and delivering great sound for multiple audio and video inputs.
Absolutely true, you shouldn’t wait for all the streaming techonologies to be integrated into an amp ;-).
And, for sure, Sonos is not a suitable product for me. I don’t need wireless active speakers, but really good speakers ;-). I don’t like the idea of being rather limited to a single manufacturer.
I only like to have a more… straight foward music system feeding my amp.
The current roon client is a good start to get rid of iTunes. But it still lacks important functions regarding cd ripping, file conversion, and file transfer for different/mobile music hardware. I hope they will integrate these. If so, roon would be a true music managing tool. And I have no problem to use a dedicated Mac or PC to organzie my music. But it shouldn’t be necessary for playing the music.
Archiving is very simple - just link roon client to an NAS - accessible by any other tools you like.
So, once having built the archive all the music is simply there - for anything you like - structured into folders, files, and some meta data.
My Synology NAS easily connects to my DLNA - yes Dee-eL-eN-A - amp. Airplay no problem either. And with DSaudio client on my iPad it is real fun browsing and playing this archive. Without any additional hardware ;-). Works very well. Try to accomplish things with what you already have, and keep it as simple and as open as possible. Avoid duplicate functions, use what is there already.
As to Spotify, Tidal… canceling subcription would erase/cut access to any subscription based music you listened :-(. Thus, no real archive.
But, what I like is the “Tidal shop”. It allows buying albums of titles you like - in HiRes - permanently. Real archive.
Integrating the Tidal shop into roon client would be great :-).
I need roon for organizing music, not for playing it ;-).
Currently, roon seem to concentrate on all the RAAT hardware. They shouldn’t forget about the central task of organizing music.
A final comment on rather DIY RAAT endpoints like Pi boxes. I simply want to enjoy music. I don’t want to get worried of how or whether certain boxes would really meet my needs to finally have a good listening experience.
Building a suitable and working music system should not end up in getting computers to work - NO FIDDLING!