Thinking about getting Roon but not sure how to start

As per the topic title, trying to establish if Roon would be suitable and / practical for me

Presently using my Linn Selekt DSM; Edition Hub and a Qobuz subscription. Using the Linn app on my iPad and iPhone. (Checked on the Roon website and all are compatible). Occasionally listen to Qobuz on my Linux PC

All my music is streaming and I have a large number of albums stored as Favourites on Qobuz, with the sorting options of;

  • Date added
  • Album name
  • Artist name
  • Release date

Also a number of playlists made up of tracks from the above, plus one of imported tracks from Amazon.

I can confirm that I have no music content stored, so all my music is just streaming from Qobuz.

Due to the number of albums I have listed as Favourites and the Qobuz sorting options I would like to have more control of how albums are sorted, for example;

  • Genre
  • Artist (folder) with all their albums in
  • Date added

This way, it may make searching easier.

Additionally, we listen to Jazz24 on the Linn Selekt using the Linn app for background listening, would we able to do this using the Roon App?

This brings me onto Roon, I’ve searched on this Forum and their website, but still a bit confused, hence, this post. I see from the Roon website that the Linn Selekt DSM; Edition Hub is “Roon Ready" and will work with Qobuz.

Some of the specific questions I have regarding Roon;

  • Will Roon give me greater options for sorting of my Qobuz favourites, even though nothing has actually been downloaded
  • Is Roon just software that’s linked to Qobuz and the Linn app or will I need any additional hardware, as I see it states that you need a Roon Core or Nucleus and trying to understand what these are.
  • Will there be any sound quality improvements
  • What else will Roon bring that I don’t know about
  • Is the Roon / Qobuz / Linn app fairly seamless or are there issues I should be aware of
  • Is Roon worth the extra monthly subscription fee on top of Qobuz
  • It’s appreciated that there would be some learning to do, but is the Roon / App fairly intuitive.

Thanks for your help in advance.

DG…

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Heya,

Many questions. I hope I can answer a few of them.

I don’t have Linn hardware so I can’t compare Roon with the Linn app. However compared with BluOS (for my Bluesound Node X) and StreamMagic (for my Cambridge Audio CXN V2) Roon has far more useful features.

Roon itself requires you to setup a Roon Server. Roon Core used to be the old name for the server.

This server can be installed on a Roon designed Nucleus or any PC or Mac. I have been running my Roon Server on Linux in the past. Nowadays MacOS on my M1 MacBook Pro.

If Roon is suitable for you. That’s a tough one. I have an extensive local collection of music. And subscriptions to both Qobuz and Tidal. For me Roon’s integration of all of them is just perfect. Also the ability to listen to my music on the road with Roon ARC is a huge dealbreaker for me.

However if you only have Qobuz then I am not entirely certain Roon would be necessary for you. I would recommend signing up for a Roon trial. It is free to use for 14 days.

Roon itself is quite intuitive. Although some things might be slightly less straightforward. It seems your Linn equipment is Roon Ready. Which means that Roon will use its RAAT protocol. Unlocking the full potentional of your hardware.

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I can’t tell that Roon will do much for you. The best way to find out is, as stated above, do the 14 day free trial. You will need a computer or NAS to run the Roon server software. The Roon server needs an ethernet cable connection to your network router or switch.

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You might find Roon doesn’t make any difference or in some cases, it sounds marginally worse.

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I have found with Roon (having started relatively later) that the app is great with those particular feature request/s. But I also have blended local media in with the streamers.

Like a lot of things with the hobby, it ain’t cheap and it can sometimes be frustrating. Still, on the whole, the library management (and discovery associated therein) are strong features.

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  • Will Roon give me greater options for sorting of my Qobuz favourites, even though nothing has actually been downloaded

I think you’ll see more flexibility in terms of things like release date, popularity, etc. though don’t quote me!

  • Is Roon just software that’s linked to Qobuz and the Linn app or will I need any additional hardware, as I see it states that you need a Roon Core or Nucleus and trying to understand what these are.

Roon requires a “core” or local server where the magic Roon database is hosted. This can be an existing PC or new dedicated hardware.

  • Will there be any sound quality improvements

Probably not, though Room has built in EQ.

  • What else will Roon bring that I don’t know about

This will answer itself if you try the software.

  • Is the Roon / Qobuz / Linn app fairly seamless or are there issues I should be aware of

Linn becomes a Roon endpoint.

  • Is Roon worth the extra monthly subscription fee on top of Qobuz

Possibly, though everyone should decide this for themselves, hence the trial period.

  • It’s appreciated that there would be some learning to do, but is the Roon / App fairly intuitive.

I think it’s fairly intuitive for something relatively complex.

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Quite often, the 14 day trial is not long enough to really figure out what Roon is all about and if it is worth it. If this is the case for you, sign up for a monthly subscription. If you decide you don’t need it or want it, just cancel. If you decide you want to keep it, switch to an annual subscription to save $30 per year.

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You might also want to have a look at the Roon Mastery Series. It’s basically an explanation of 100 Roon features. It could help you decide if Roon is worth trying and might help in making the most of a 14-day trial.

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Thanks for all the replies.

Looking at where I am with just streaming and with comments on this and some other forums, may just leave things as they are.

A lot of learning, new set ups and extra cost. If I get into downloading in the future, I may re-consider, but for now all is working fine and, if it ain’t broke, etc.

DG…

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I own multiple Linn systems, and multiple Roon servers on Ubuntu Server PC boxes. I’ve done quite a few comparisons between Roon, Qobuz via Linn app, and UPnP/DLNA from a local music server via Linn app while setting up or updating these systems. Zero differences in sound quality.

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Same position like yours, except that I a totally wireless NG Klimax DSM/3, still considering Roon, extra hardware, wired ethernet cables into the listening room are major factors for me.

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Thanks for this and I’ve looked through these.

One question though. If I load ROON to my Linux PC it won’t be dedicated just for ROON, but is also a work / home / general PC. Does it have to remain on 24/7?

DG…

It will need to be turned on when you want to play music through Roon. If you don’t mind having to wait until your PC has booted and the Roon Server has started when you want lo listen through music through Roon, then it does not have to run 24/7.

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As long as you want to listen to Roon it needs to be turned on. You can use your Linux computer for other tasks as well while using Roon. It runs as a background service.

This page helped me install the Roon Server on Linux in the past. The only downside of Linux is that the control part of Roon (the user interface) doesn’t work on Linux. So you’ll have to use a phone or tablet Roon app to set it up.

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Put very well.

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Check out your messages in the Kabin.

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If you get the Nucleus One (as my Linux PC is old and may not run Roon), do you need to install a HDD / SSD if you have no stored music?

DG…

No. An additional HDD/SDD is not necessary if you only use streaming services.

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Thanks for the prompt response. That makes it easier.

I take it that the Nucleus One should be preferably be situated away from the audio equipment.

DG…

Not necessarily. It does have a fan, but it’s more or less silent, by all accounts. And if you want to play multichannel audio, you can do this via its HDMI connector.

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