Hi, maybe a naive question as I am new to this…do I need standalone servers for my home and my office or is the ARC app robust enough that I can access my home server when I am at my office and get the full Roon experience?
The ARC app can only play on the device running the app. In contrast, the Roon app can direct play to Roon endpoints on the local network where the Roon server is located. Therefore, you could not have a Roon endpoint in your office and control it with the ARC app.
Ok, I think I am following you. Looking past Roon app vs. Arc (since I will be able to access either), generally speaking, do I need additional servers for other homes or offices or can I access all my music via one or the other of the apps?
Where is your music stored?
You need one Roon Server to service one physical location with all of it’s endpoints. ARC will allow you to access your server on the mobile device the app is installed on. So I use ARC when out in the car or in a hotel room for example. In my office which is in another location, I simply use Plex because it can access all my music on my NAS at home. But if you want ROON in 2 physically different locations you’ll need 2 roon servers.
Thanks for this! I have physically downloaded all my stored music to the Roon server I just bought for my home. It sounds like I can access all of my stored music and playlists via ARC when I am in the car or hotel…my assumption here being that you’re connecting via Bluetooth in both locations. If that is the case, can i simply connect to ARC in my office via a Bluetooth connection to my amp?
Yes, that’s right.
So on my phone, for example or my tablet or wife’s phone I connect to my Roon server then I can play out through the device’s speakers, a set of speakers connected to phone by 3.5mm or over BT - you choose. I’ve got ARC on all my mobile devices.
To access it, you’ll need to enable ARC and set up a Tailscale Account. Set up tailscale on your Roon Server and install tailscale on you mobile device. Whenever you want to access your Roon Server toggle Tailscale on and you can connect. ARC will work on your local network without tailscale but access it remotely the easiest most stable connection will be through tailscale which will create a secure VPN to your server.
Yes, that is possible. Note that ARC requires certain network properties for making the roon server visible to the ARC smart device, and browsing functionality is limited, and some of roon´s unique database and browsing features are not available in ARC. It is not the same experience.
If your needs in the office regarding endpoints are limited to just a phone/tablet connecting via Bluetooth to some loudspeaker system, there might be an alternative: Install a VPN on both your home network and your phone and connect the two. You should be able to run roon remote with full browsing functionality (just limited endpoint/local streaming features), if the connection is fast and reactive.
ARC should ideally work without Tailscale or any other software. You just have to allow the roon server to open ports to the outside world, and provide the home network with necessary conditions. Can be a bit fiddly under some conditions.
Thanks so much…I had a feeling this was where the dialogue would go…thanks so much for confirming! Happy Holidays!!!
I would start out with Roon ARC at the office, but you will end up with a second server and maybe a second Roon subscription. That is, if you want the full Roon experience at the office and better sound quality, higher resolution that Airplay cannot provide. If you have someone at home using Roon at the same time, you would need a second Roon subscription for the second server. Otherwise, you only need one subscription.
My preference is Roon ARC when mobile, in the car or on foot, and a second server when stationary in another home or office, etc.
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