@Dan: Despite the differences you hear, may i ask how you exactly performed the listening tests?
Same Room, same equipment (same DAC) except the used Server machines?
I just want to know who the test set up looks like please.
@Edward I asked how you came to your assumption that the OS matters for Roon?
and why it must be the OS. same question @Dan
So you changed something in the setup and the weakest tools your ears are perfect to notice the differences.
How was the sound levelling between the different set ups assured please just answer that simple question.
When it comes to hearing differences we deal mostly:
1.) with expectation
2.) with test setups, which make no sense at all
3.) assumptions based on the equipment used and never OURSELF
First and most important step for a test:
double blind tests have to be performed to assure a accurate test set up with.
1.) Levelling of the volume at the hearing place have to be assured with max. of 0.1dB difference in any of the used test setups
2.) Same music (part) to be used for all test setups
3.) statistic output of the tests
Sorry guys but i have really attended and performed a lot of these tests on the university with an eye opening outcome (for myself as an audiphile): if there is a noticeable difference in such a test, we were always able to break it down to a bad HW , for instance amplifier-speaker combination involved (clipping, distortion and IT WAS ALWAYS MEASURABLE).
For a starter to read: from Floyd E. Toole:
Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms (Audio Engineering Society Presents)
best regards,
Armin