Naim and Roon

I don't want to discuss the justification why it's a must that I need Roon (integration of physical library with virtual Tidal library, classification, informations, classical compositions, etc.), but, why only "new" Uniti Series could receive Roon capability ? Technically isn't possible to see a 272/250DR receiving a Roon capability too ? 

I use MinimServer (for UPnP) in conjonction with a petty AirportExpress/Airplay for Roon support, that top at 16/44 SPDIF signal in my 272. I'm looking around for a better solution like DigiOne/Aries/etc. that will push a better signal, and to do 24/196, but even that, it will not be possible to pass a DSD to 272 input SPDIF. Anyway, it's a streamer, isn't it, so why pay for a machine and use it as a DAC/pre only.  I'll not flip a 272/250DR for a NOVA/250DR just to have the Roon capability. I'm in a dead end if NAIM doesn't implement Roon in current classic series too. If Naim plan and/or are ABLE to support Roon for classic series, I'll patiently continu to use a temporary solution, else, will need to look elsewhere, and this is the last thing I want to do.

A chap at CEDIA commented 

One other thing that was pretty cool, at least for me, is seeing that the Naim Muso units will finally become Roon endpoints sometime over the next year

I can't  imagine it's just the muso (the poster owns a muso) and may well extend to older Naim products if this is a Roon rather than a Naim initiative à la the Roon  /Devialet implementation.  

If there is anyone at CEDIA drop to the Roon booth and get some more information please. 

.sjb

Sloop John B - I seem to recall somewhere you had ordered an ultrarendu, how is it in your system ?

It's  sitting waiting patiently to be slotted in once renovations are completed. 

.sjb

Before we get Roon, let's get the basics sorted across the Uniti range!

I still don't have a clue what this Roon thing is. I've even looked at the website and am none the wiser.

Sloop John B posted:

It's  sitting waiting patiently to be slotted in once renovations are completed. 

 

.sjb

Please post your thoughts when you had a chance to compare Raspberry Pi and Ultrarendu! I am very curious how DIY compares to "state-of-the-art".  Cheers!

Drewy posted:

I still don't have a clue what this Roon thing is. I've even looked at the website and am none the wiser.

Drewy, Roon is the best way to enjoy a music collection. It cannot be described in a couple of sentences, but an example or two may convince you to try it. 

Selecting on the first track of e.g. a string quartet will play all of the quartet, not just the selected track. The words of many tracks are available. If your download includes a PDF, you may open it while listening. This is becoming much more relevant. For instance, last week I took advantage of a Qobuz offer of the Ring Cycle at €53, and it came with a PDF of the entire libretto, photographs etc, just like my original LP version. You can also see the technical specs of what you are listening to, from source to end.

My residents association recently held a barbecue and a (live ) three piece jazz combo was playing in the background. One of my neighbours recognised the Sax player, and it turned out that he was probably the best known in Ireland. When I got home, I tossed his name into Roon and came up with 6 albums in my collection on which he features ( Van Morrison, Mary Black, Tanita Tickaram).

Does anyone know any other package which can do likewise? In essence, Roon runs an ultra fast index to your music, which allows you to discover more about your collection than any alternative.

I have seen some pejorative comments which imply that this is just a bit of flummery.  It is anything but.  You need to try it!

Ritchie Buckley I presume? Excellent saxophonist, picked up his album after a Mary Black gig earlier in the year.

Amazing who shows up at your local barbecues!

.sjb

I'm just on my first week of a 14 day trial of Roon before committing to a subscription at £90 ($119) per year.

Basically think of mojo/Q/uncut magazines filled with only your music collection. As you browse you have the option to play, and while you play you can read about and cross reference your entire collection. Over time I think you will discover music you'd forgotten you had, as Roon delves into your collection like someone who pops round and rifles through your music.

+1 for discovering how, or when the Musos may become Roon endpoints 

So far a I can ascertain Roon is like google only 500 quid.

Roon are about to release some sort of streamer box, which might be a good option for Naim users who want the service. 

Sloop John B posted:

Ritchie Buckley I presume? Excellent saxophonist, picked up his album after a Mary Black gig earlier in the year.

Amazing who shows up at your local barbecues!

.sjb

 

 

Got it in one John! Your screenshot shows another of my favourite features of Roon - the little box in the bottom right corner of the thumbnails, which shows the source of the recording, be it CD, DSD, 24bit etc.

garyi posted:

So far a I can ascertain Roon is like google only 500 quid.

Indeed like a google which has googled your own collection and Inputted it into a database for easy analysis and wonderful rediscovery of your Collection along with multi-room, upsampling, convulution, parametric equalisation, volume levelling, DR measurement, lyrics and Tidal integration. 

Integrates with Sonos, Devialet, squeezebox, Bluesound and soon it looks like Naim. 

.sjb

Its too expensive for what it does. What it does is handled really well by free alternatives, not quite as feature rich on the artist info but that can be googled from gracenote, LastFm or many many other sources, again all for free.

You are paying 500 quid for an interface to the web, that is all.

garyi posted:

Its too expensive for what it does. What it does is handled really well by free alternatives, not quite as feature rich on the artist info but that can be googled from gracenote, LastFm or many many other sources, again all for free.

You are paying 500 quid for an interface to the web, that is all.

IYHO. 

.sjb

garyi posted:

Its too expensive for what it does. What it does is handled really well by free alternatives, not quite as feature rich on the artist info but that can be googled from gracenote, LastFm or many many other sources, again all for free.

You are paying 500 quid for an interface to the web, that is all.

The annual membership of ROON is $119 or around £90 a year.

When you consider the investment many of us have made in our hardware, the cost of ROON pales into insignificance. I have a relatively modest system compared to many, but when totted up i'm looking at £15k.

Alternatively, it's equivalent to just a few Hi Res downloads.

For me personally, ROON has fundamentally changed the way in which I listen to music, resulting in many more hours of enjoyment. The fact that Naim did not embraced ROON and were very noncommittal, led me to look elsewhere. However the recent news if true, will bring me back into the fold and I will be looking to buy one of the new Uniti products for my 2nd system. 

I tried the trial of Roon however became frustrated as to why it insisted on down sampling everything I played to 44.1 / 16bit my collection despite turning all the options off.. 

Leon Wadsworth posted:

I tried the trial of Roon however became frustrated as to why it insisted on down sampling everything I played to 44.1 / 16bit my collection despite turning all the options off.. 

That's certainly is not how it usually works, were you using AirPlay by any chance?

The forum is very informative and supportive with Roon staff constantly in attendance. If you report the issue they usually will give another trial.

.sjb

Hi Sloop John B.

I was using airplay in order to stream to a Uniti Nova. Is there another way round?

Thanks

Leon

Airplay is the restriction there not roon,

Leon Wadsworth posted:

Hi Sloop John B.

I was using airplay in order to stream to a Uniti Nova. Is there another way round?

Thanks

Leon

As Gary said AirPlay is restricted to 44/16 so Roon downsamples rather than give you silence or static. 

From what I've been able to peice  together Naim and Roon are displayed at Roon's booth at CEDIA and the implementation seems to be from Naim's side. So hopefully a firmware upgrade will allow you trial Roon using its RAAT protocol with no limitations in the not too distant future. 

.sjb

Leon Wadsworth posted:

Hi Sloop John B.

I was using airplay in order to stream to a Uniti Nova. Is there another way round?

Thanks

Leon

Allo DigiOne Player

It's great and it streams losses to my nDAC. 

michael1702 posted:

Leon Wadsworth posted:

Hi Sloop John B.

I was using airplay in order to stream to a Uniti Nova. Is there another way round?

Thanks

Leon

Allo DigiOne Player

It's great and it streams losses to my nDAC. 

Sadly no DSD is possible through SPDIF. Annoying when you have over 200 DSD albums or/and need to buy another box, another interconnect.