Roon + Tidal Vs. Apple Music for Phantom 108d/b

Roon Software Discussion
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Hi Everyone,

I recently bought a Devialet Phantom I 108 dB and currently use Apple Music Lossless (24-bit/96-192 kHz) on my Mac Studio. I’m testing Roon + Tidal HiFi Plus and noticed that Roon sounds louder, punchier, and more detailed than Apple Music at the same volume. On the other hand, Apple Music is quite convenient and great for everyday use, no need to keep the server up. I am thinking about getting a Roon Lifetime sub, but in a bit of a dilemma.

But here’s the dilemma:

Roon + Tidal ≈ Approximately $269/year in India
Apple Music India ≈ Approximately $22/year in India with Apple One Individual subscription.

For Phantom owners, is the sound quality improvement and Roon integration truly worth paying this much more? Or does Apple Music Lossless already deliver close to the same experience?

Would love feedback from Devialet Phantom 108db users who’ve compared both setups.

Thanks! :musical_notes:
Chandrashekhar B

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Only you can decide that for yourself. It’s your ears, your system, and your money.

EDIT: Don’t pay that much for something because someone else says it sounds better to them.

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Qobuz is even better but I have all three. I just use Apple Music for car mostly.

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Yes, there is minor difference especially with Hi-Res music but I am here to know opinion of fellow and experienced Phantom owners.

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Paging @AceRimmer

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Curious, how are you connecting to the Phantom with the Mac Studio?

Airplay?

If it’s louder it may appear to sound better. Only if they’re level matched within 0.2dB would you get a better comparison.

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Wi-Fi, My Mac Studio is server running Roon.

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Apologies, I mean how are you connecting to the Phantoms with Apple Music. Based on what you say it’s Apple Music Lossless on the Mac Studio.

How do you get the music playing on the Phantoms with Apple Music? Are you using Airplay.

If it’s Airplay, it’s quite possible it’s lossy airplay and not lossless at 16/44.1.

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I am using Airplay only from my Mac and iPhone. I am currently on Roon + Tidal trial, decision has to make. When I am around desk Roon is quite convenient as I don’t have to select Phantom to airplay music every time, on the Go Apple Music is great in car and elsewhere.

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Ok.

With Airplay you can tell if you have lossless or lossy Airplay by the :check_box_with_check: on the Airplay selection pane.

Airplay Lossy

IMG_1947
IMG_19471320×913 26.6 KB

Airplay Lossless

IMG_1946
IMG_19461320×970 28.1 KB

With Roon, The Phantom is Roon Ready.

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IMG_19481320×682 78.5 KB

Audio settings

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Considering the images you’ve shared, my AirPlay seems lossy!

IMG_9A21F9E5FB8A-1
IMG_9A21F9E5FB8A-11290×1817 99.3 KB

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I have a Devialet Phantom 98db pair. I prefer roon to apple music because of the dsp of roon. I use a equalizer based on audio science review settings and speaker distance measurements because of my listening position. I think you will find the music exploration using roon and tidal much superior as well. I use the listen later feature a lot. I also have apple music but use it infrequently.

2 Likes
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Yes, it is.

In this case the comparison between Apple Music and Roon (Phantom set as a Roon Ready Endpoint) is like comparing apples and oranges.

I would use Roon in this case and set the Phantom as a Roon Ready endpoint.

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Great album by the way :+1:

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Linking threads

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Thank you so much for clarifying. I appreciate your time and efforts :orange_heart:

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Makes sense, man 108db sounds like a bomb. Bass will make body giggle. I will soon make it stereo pair.

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