Danny, thank you again promptly getting back to me.
Your answer - diverting to third-party SQ tests - implies that you do not have internal experience comparing Roon/RAAT with other software, such as A+/UPnP. (Correct me if this is not the case).
Your response “However, we’ve actually gone one step further, and tapped the actual bits coming out of the other side… and they are identical (obviously)” also implies that you and/or Roon think that the “identical bits” would exclude the possibility of Roon having inferior sound quality in “networked stuff” compared to other products.
This thread is about sound quality which naturally involves listening to the sound. With all due respect, what is the basis of your statements referring to identical SQ in “networked stuff” in view that you have shared no information with us on your recent listening experience on the subject?
Let me share the relevant part of mines: I am user of Roon for about 9 months, I like numerous features and the convenience of your product. Have tested A+, JRiver, mConnect, they all sound noticeable different on my setup - Mac Mini (I7, SSD); PS Audio DirectSream (connected with Purist Audio ethernet cable through Apple router, WiFi off), VTL MB750, JM Lab Utopia speakers, Purist Audio Neptune Cables, PS Audio P3 regenerator, dedicated circuits for each amps and for the front end. I find JRiver and mConnect the most similar sounding and Roon is on the other end. Without attempting to rank the SQ I find that Roon has the widest and deepest soundstage, however it sounds “thinner” has “emphasized highs”, more overhangs and how another user (woodford) described: “brasher, splashy, hashy, spitty” see Sound Quality change with build 259.
Ironically, what drove me to these tests was Roon 259 build which sounded different compared to the previous release and was not able to revert back to verify what I was hearing Sound quality change and re-installing older builds . After these tests, I can now spot the differences between Roon, A+, JRiver in less than 30s on tracks I am familiar with.
I extend my invitation to you and two colleges of your choice to listen and decide on your own. I live in Austin Texas.
Please allow me to point it out that I find it disrespectful to tell users/clients in this thread: “you can keep your antecedal evidence to yourself until you have an explanation that can be reproduced and experimented on”. (i) first as mentioned above you have not shared with us “a statistically relevant blind test that removes the chances of bias” to prove that Roon has identical SQ in “networked stuff” compared to other products. So, on what ground would you ask a rebuttal evidence?; (ii) the users in this thread did point to A+/UPnP vs. Roon/RAAT which can be experimented on; (iii) asking us to have an explanation does not fit to the posture of us being the user of the product and clients of Roon; lastly you do not need to know why a rotten egg stinks to be able to determine that is rotten.
My reply could sound blunt may be edgy, but I want to get my point through clear: I do not think that Roon has the appropriate focus on sound quality