Cancelled Roon Trial - what a bummer !

My suggestion is to write to the Roon support / sales team and ask for an extended free trial, quoting your reason as above: Roon seem to have a generous policy with the goal of allowing potential customers to come to an informed decision about their potential purchase. There are other tales of two trials with different equipment, or a second free month due to an unplanned interruption, so you could certainly ask. 

Regards alan

I would contact Roon because I had a similar situation and they extended my trial for another 2 weeks. 

Agreed, Roon are pretty responsive and I’d be surprised if they didn’t offer you another trial if you explain the situation. 

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

rjstaines posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

I went for the lifetime after my free trial, $499, and my entire system, speakers, server etc. costs a lot less than just your new streamer! I think if you have an ND555 and ATC100’s you’ll manage... and it will be extremely helpful if owning 8,000 rips (get the biggest NUC you can). 

rjstaines posted:

So, a couple of weeks ago, after reading so many good things about Roon, but hitherto rejecting the idea of spending £100 or so on music management software, my ND555 arrived, with Roon 'built in'.  I decided it was now time to see what all the fuss was about and, with some guidance from folks here on the forum, I started the 14 day free trial.

After three days had gone by, my decorator called me.  Back in January, we had a water leak from the room above the lounge where my audio system sits.  The water made its way to several points in the ceiling and came dripping through, but missed my (then) brand new ATC100's by just 3 ft.    The Naim stack is on the other side of the room, thankfully.  So, water through ceiling and down walls = insurance claim for redecoration**

My appointed decorator suddenly had a cancellation and could fit me in straight away, leaving me the weekend to get everything to the centre of the room... and in the case of my Naim kit, right out of the room and harms way. 

With thoughts of unfamiliar fingers through drivers, with just me and the decorator to move them, the ATC100s (at 65kg ish) had to stay put, but heavily cloaked in bath towels, polythene sheet and decorators' fabric sheeting.

My Roon trial ends today (Tues 18th Sept). The decorator ended last Friday.  I have a variety of uninteresting complaints that make shifting stuff a slow or impossible process.  SWMBO, who being an avid tennis player with muscles in all the right places (for a tennis player),  usually helps with, or actually does all the shifing around the house, but she has come down with (her words) man-flu.     So the room is still in a mess, none of the audio system is connected, and my opportunity to check out Roon is ended.

Thinking back to those three days I had to look at Roon (along with brand new ND555, don't forget), I remember being a little confused about finding stuff, a little surprised at all the cross references to similar stuff when you did find it, and a little bit amazed at what this Roon was able to do...  but was I  £100 or so amazed ?  I'm just not sure, so I've cancelled the trial... what a bummer, with 8,000 albums in my music catalogue, I'm sure it had a lot of potential.  Sure, but not £100 certain  

Anyone got any thoughts ?

Roger

 

PS ** - I had previously taken advice from this forum on home insurance and switched to John Lewis.  I can thoroughly recommend them. Service was impeccable, and I was assured, in writing no less, that ALL my audio kit  (incl 500 series) was covered & would have been covered had the water downfall have damaged them.

In the grand scheme of our hi fi systems, we waste a lot more than £100 every so often.

I'm finding that browsing my music collection IS more satisfying with Roon than with the Naim app and Asset, so I've spent the money for a 12-month subscription.  

rjstaines posted:

...Anyone got any thoughts ?

Roger

 

PS ** - I had previously taken advice from this forum on home insurance and switched to John Lewis.  I can thoroughly recommend them. Service was impeccable, and I was assured, in writing no less, that ALL my audio kit  (incl 500 series) was covered & would have been covered had the water downfall have damaged them.

Roger - others have suggested it, but contact them.

I had an extended trial after purchasing the Nova - I decided last Christmas as I started a few days holiday (after a few glasses of vino) that I enjoyed Roon enough to buy a 1 year subscription - literally within minutes of paying for this subscription I managed to knock a glass of wine onto my MacBook Pro which was the Roon Core - basically it killed it.

I e-mailed Roon and explained this - they refunded my subscription in full and said they'd be happy to offer another free trial if I wanted to once I'd sorted out another suitable computer - they then gave me another trial a few months later and I then re-subscribed.

 I was very impressed by their customer service.

** Good to hear about John Lewis insurance.

rjstaines posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

If I would be in your shoes - would just go for the live long thing.

Alley Cat posted:

rjstaines posted:

...Anyone got any thoughts ?

Roger

 

PS ** - I had previously taken advice from this forum on home insurance and switched to John Lewis.  I can thoroughly recommend them. Service was impeccable, and I was assured, in writing no less, that ALL my audio kit  (incl 500 series) was covered & would have been covered had the water downfall have damaged them.

Roger - others have suggested it, but contact them.

I had an extended trial after purchasing the Nova - I decided last Christmas as I started a few days holiday (after a few glasses of vino) that I enjoyed Roon enough to buy a 1 year subscription - literally within minutes of paying for this subscription I managed to knock a glass of wine onto my MacBook Pro which was the Roon Core - basically it killed it.

I e-mailed Roon and explained this - they refunded my subscription in full and said they'd be happy to offer another free trial if I wanted to once I'd sorted out another suitable computer - they then gave me another trial a few months later and I then re-subscribed.

 I was very impressed by their customer service.

 

** Good to hear about John Lewis insurance.

Interestingly that MacBook Pro had a deathwish - I actually got it from John Lewis and forgot to add the reasonable accidental damage extra to the warranty - I had it in the back of the car one day wrapped in a blanket (yet to buy a cover), and didn;t expect Mrs AC to yank at the blanket as she opened the door - my verbal tirade in expectation of the MBP hitting concrete in a hotel car park had me in the doghouse for weeks - a few dents, screen cracked top right but otherwise worked.  It was a shame as it was a 2015 model I snapped up for the USB 3.0 ports when they move to USB C.

I think the amount Roger has spent on hifi hardware is completely irrelevant in the context of this discussion. £100 is £100, and to throw it away on any product that doesn’t appear likely to give utility is an unjustified waste of money. By all means get another freebie trial period if possible, but I suggest if it were going to have ‘grabbed’ Roger, it would have done so in 3 days.

Bert Schurink posted:

rjstaines posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

If I would be in your shoes - would just go for the live long thing.

Agreed it's a small outlay in the context of even humble Naim offerings.

It's funny how little things help too - for example I just started up an album on the Nova via the Naim app, but iPhone is a few metres away - typing at the computer I can still control Nova volume via Roon even though I'm listening to something from the NAS not playing via Roon.....Little things as I said.

They may have it already but I'd quite like to save filters say for hi-res only, MP3/AAC 256/128 excluded, lower quality duplicates excluded - not sure if that is possible

My one annoyance is the 'radio' function often kicks in when I don't want it to.

rjstaines posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

I’ve seen a lot of references to the cost of Roon in these forums, and I find it very perplexing.  In the context of the average person who uses, at best, a cheap Bluetooth speaker, Roon is clearly a non-starter.  The value just isn’t there for them.  But on this forum where people spend thousands of their local currency on their gear, the concern with the price of Roon seems strange, but I guess it’s because it’s software, which has less perceived value than hardware.

I’ve just spent the past five months living away from home for work.  I took a modest Roon based system with me and left my Naim gear and vinyl at home.  So I’ve used it really extensively and I like it more all the time.  Is it perfect?  No.  But it’s easily the best digital music interface I’ve ever used and it keeps getting better. 

I wish it worked natively with my NDX, but the Sonore UPnP bridge software takes care of that. 

Alley Cat posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

rjstaines posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

If I would be in your shoes - would just go for the live long thing.

Agreed it's a small outlay in the context of even humble Naim offerings.

It's funny how little things help too - for example I just started up an album on the Nova via the Naim app, but iPhone is a few metres away - typing at the computer I can still control Nova volume via Roon even though I'm listening to something from the NAS not playing via Roon.....Little things as I said.

They may have it already but I'd quite like to save filters say for hi-res only, MP3/AAC 256/128 excluded, lower quality duplicates excluded - not sure if that is possible

My one annoyance is the 'radio' function often kicks in when I don't want it to.

Radio is easily turned off if you look at your now playing queue. 

Thanks WILCOFT - so I thought - I did so previously but it returned with a vengeance after a software update and I couldn't find that option only ones in preferences to prevent radio from certain sources - most likely my error - I'll look again.

I'm very impressed to say the least... I was being persuaded by several posts to apply to Roon for another trial and was thinking about how to word this when into my inbox dropped this email:

Hi Roger,
No problem! I just reopened your free trial and added 30 days -- be sure to let us know how it's going on our community site. If you need to download Roon again you can do so from our downloads page, just click the following link and scroll down to the package you need: https://roonlabs.com/downloads.html
If you run in to any trouble during your trial, you can get in touch with our support team using these instructions.

Best,
Kevin P
Roon Labs

At first I thought "How on earth, do they read the Naim forum?"  and then remembered I'd filled in the 'why are you cancelling your trial ?'  about an hour ago.  So, I'm impressed on two fronts:

• their customer service speed
• the fact they actually read feedback !

Can't wait to get all my equipment back on the racks and playing... should take 3-4 days because everything has to fit in together in the room.  I'm thinking the good impression I got in the first three days with Roon, together with their customer service attitude has already made them another sale...

Why not? as some have observed in comparison to the total cost of the set up.  Maybe I'd forgotten to mention that this array of Naim & ATC goodies is largely funded by a mortgage and a loan (both at good rates, I hasten to add).  I feel the sharp intake of breath as I publish this post, but my dealer says I should try to ignore this.

Roger

With 8000 albums in your collection ( I only have  3000) a lifetime Roon subscription is 6p per album roughly . Use the Discover feature for a week and on that alone I think you will be signing up

Bert Schurink posted:

rjstaines posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Quick answer, Bert, is  $119  

If I would be in your shoes - would just go for the live long thing.

Your extravagence with my money is matched only by your willingness to give freely of your time on our forum, Bert  

Bert Schurink posted:

Yeah like the others would just write them - I guess they would welcome an honest request. But another face of the medal is. Why not just buying it - as you seem to be impressed with the short demo.

I wouldn't want it as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Bert, do you count a NAS as a computer?

Everyon’es extravagance is relative. Personally, I see your 500 system as an extreme extravagance, but others come over and see my humble DAC V1/110/Rega’s as an extravagance compared to their paint splattered Yamaha receivers and Polk speakers. And they don’t even see half my system (the microRendu, LPS-1, NUC Cisco switch etc) as it’s round back the V1 and/or in a closet!

What drew me to Roon is how inspiring it is to “rediscover” your own library of music. And the Tidal integration is excellent (supposedly Quboz coming though I would imagine Quboz needs to figure out their US biz first). Ultimately, I think it’s a small price to pay compared to all of the other crap surrounding this hobby. I hear you on budget, but honestly, if you’re running a 500 level system, you’re not going to get much sympathy from around here over an extra $119/year! That’s approximately 8-10 cds, but with 8000 in your collection already, you probably don’t need those, but rather a really good software program to make them more useful.

I’m also thinking Roon is about due for a major update, probably more UI stuff this time, so it’s only going to get better. If you are able to have the server in a different room, I highly recommend a NUC 7i5 or 7i7 for ROON ROCK, and an inexpensive linear power supply for it and you’ll be golden. I got my NUC pre-built for $340 (7i5, 128gb SSD and 8gb RAM) though they generally run closer to $500 depending. Or you could just get a Naim Core for 8X the price - if you’re into extravagance.

I wouldn't be without Roon and I barely scratch the surface of what it can do now, let alone the stuff that will come in the future.

Roger, if you do end up subscribing wait until the end of the trial - it may sound like penny pinching but I was under the assumption that when I signed up the subscription would run from the end of the trial period but it starts immediately so you could lose a couple of weeks for free if you sign up too early.

charlesphoto posted:

Everyon’es extravagance is relative. Personally, I see your 500 system as an extreme extravagance, but others come over and see my humble DAC V1/110/Rega’s as an extravagance compared to their paint splattered Yamaha receivers and Polk speakers. And they don’t even see half my system (the microRendu, LPS-1, NUC Cisco switch etc) as it’s round back the V1 and/or in a closet!

What drew me to Roon is how inspiring it is to “rediscover” your own library of music. And the Tidal integration is excellent (supposedly Quboz coming though I would imagine Quboz needs to figure out their US biz first). Ultimately, I think it’s a small price to pay compared to all of the other crap surrounding this hobby. I hear you on budget, but honestly, if you’re running a 500 level system, you’re not going to get much sympathy from around here over an extra $119/year! That’s approximately 8-10 cds, but with 8000 in your collection already, you probably don’t need those, but rather a really good software program to make them more useful.

I’m also thinking Roon is about due for a major update, probably more UI stuff this time, so it’s only going to get better. If you are able to have the server in a different room, I highly recommend a NUC 7i5 or 7i7 for ROON ROCK, and an inexpensive linear power supply for it and you’ll be golden. I got my NUC pre-built for $340 (7i5, 128gb SSD and 8gb RAM) though they generally run closer to $500 depending. Or you could just get a Naim Core for 8X the price - if you’re into extravagance.

 

A very reasoned and helpful comment, Charles, thanks.

David O'Higgins posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

I wouldn't want it (Roon) as I would need to have a computer running on the same networks. But for others they are not considering to live without Roon, so easy or ?

Bert, do you count a NAS as a computer?

As a pick up on this notion, I’ve moved my Roon Core (server) from my late 2012 Mac mini onto my (new) Synology NAS. I chose a 918+ model when updating the 213+ that is now 5+ years old and has just been dropped from the hardware list for future major OS updates. I went with a higher spec (and slightly higher priced) model to get the Intel processor (Celeron; quad core but not i3/i5 A’s is mostly recommended on the Roon forum)  intending to offload some server duties to the box - ie to treat it like a “computer” not “just a NAS” as David suggests.

The 918 NAS is still only running a few things as I take my time to learn more and switch more stuff on (personal cloud, VPN, maybe mail, plus the control and logging service for the Ubiquiti wifi access points are all on the list). It was a bit of a gamble since most on the Roon forum talk about much higher spec processing and memory and disc speed to run the Roon Core ... but for me (modest ripped library of about 300 CDs and mainly using Tidal; no digital processing for upscaling or room correction, etc.) I have not suffered from a slow or flaky experience. I added a SSD cache (which shows higher and higher hit rate while using Roon interactively) but I don’t think it made a big difference.

I have not added an SSD for the indexing file, but as I maintain a small library and mainly navigate on Tidal, it doesn’t feel slow enough to dedicate a slot just for that... if a rumoured future firmware update converts the cache-only functionality of the M.2 NVMe SSD slots, then I’m golden for the speed up over a spinning disc.

Anyway, bottom line: for a basic user, with a modest local library and only a few Tidal discs in my online favourites library, Roon Core running on a Synology 918+ is perfectly fine and can serve one or two endpoints. I’m sure the experience could be sped up and thus improved, but it hasn’t bothered me as is.

Worth considering if a new NAS is in your future and the idea of adding an extra purpose-built box, like a NUC running Roon Rock, doesn’t appeal. Hope this helps someone!

Regards alan

Timmo1341 posted:

I think the amount Roger has spent on hifi hardware is completely irrelevant in the context of this discussion. £100 is £100, and to throw it away on any product that doesn’t appear likely to give utility is an unjustified waste of money. By all means get another freebie trial period if possible, but I suggest if it were going to have ‘grabbed’ Roger, it would have done so in 3 days.

Indeed, and that I seem to recall is an annual cost. Or £500 for life membership is £500...  Importantly, not everyone finds they like what Roon does, or considers it sufficient value for money to buy. However an additional trial makes sense if they’ll give it, just to be sure.