Coming from LMS Squeezebox, I am trying out Roon. After some frustration because there are just too many albums which had not been identified and the rather basic way the Squeezebox Endpoints are functioning. I wanted to give up and never look back. So I was back in LMS world, but missed something. Like the old saying - once you’ve gone Roon, you’ll never go back. So I revisited Roon.
For a person with a non-classical collection and loads of newer stuff, I guess Roon is a no-brainer. It does what it is advertised to do. For a classical and Opera collector, it is a totally different matter (sadly) if 90 % were recognized, I would be over the moon, but reality is rather different.
Also the Metadata source does not seem to have the info on newer releases, or remasterings of Albums. In a great many cases, they still have old covers and the release date and info is wrong.
Having put a lot of work into my collection and having scanned most covers myself or gotten them from other sources, I can happily use my own. Itunes has great metadata and covers etc. it would be great if Roon had the same quality of data,
Even with my own tags the way that everything is linked together in Roon is a truly remarkable experience. There is this software that works with LMS calles MUSO, it is absolutely great for classical music, but one can only use it on a PC, not an iPad etc.
Getting everything to run smoothely with Roon will probably be an everlasting project. But in a way I am hooked. It is a bit like going to a real (analog) library and looking for an item, but on the way finding stuff that is interesting, but you had not thought of. So it actually makes you realize what you have got in your collection and have not listened to in ages.
There is huge room for improvement, but I really like what is possible. So I guess I might just stick with it.
Three goes before I bought a years sub. Now approaching two years. Don’t regret it a bit. Is it perfect? No!. But it’s still best in class for me. Eagerly awaiting BlueSound audio sync fix.
It took me a lot of thinking and testing. Roon is definitely a step further than LMS Squeezebox or other systems I know. Far from perfect for classical, but still so much vbetter than what was possible for me using iPeng and LMS before. I will miss the freedom of moreless being able to use any Streaming service I wanted, but I guess everything comes at a price.
As for the price, I took the plunge and am in for life now. Grooming and maintaining my library will take up so much time, so it is a decision for life - so really no turning back. The idea of using it for 1/2 years and tossing all the effort I put into it, would be to frustrating. So this is now officially the most expensive software I have ever bought.
But, in the past weeks I have really listened to more music, especially also stuff I had forgatten I even had. The linking between recordings really does make a huge difference. I have nearly 4000 albums at the moment and only 400 reviews - having more and better Metetrdata plus more identications would be great.
Obviously Roon is a niche product mainly aimed at people with how should I put it “modern” taste and is noct really catering to the classical crowd. Yes we are probably a niche within the niche - but getting classic buffs into the boat would probably be a good idea businesswise. Since we usually invest quite a bit in hardware and want to listen to our library in good sound. Well I hope the Roonies will put some more effort into making classical collectors experience better.
As for now I am happy with my choice and am looking forward to a bright future with Roon.
Congratulations on your decision and move. In my case it was maybe not the most expensive SW purchase decision to become a lifetimer but definitely among the most expensive ones. On the other hand I haven’t used any of the other expensive licenses or subscriptions as much as I enjoy and use Roon, i.e. almost daily.
You have a significant number of albums, but you will be surprised (later) at how much progress you will make when you look back on it. This is a wonderful community and the developers are always participating and seem to be concerned about the customer’s feedback. I’m sure you already realize that or you probably would not have already made the commitment to a lifetime purchase.
When you get some free time, I’d love to get some recommendations for some classical music selections from someone that has such an extensive library and that truly enjoys the genre.
Yes sure I would gladly give you some ideas on music / recordings I like, that might be good for your collection. I will start a thread in the Music section. Thanks Mike for that idea