Sound Quality of new roon versions (builds)

[Malcng]

I only ever noticed minor changes in SQ with Roon updates having been running Innuos Squeezelite emulation. I got an Extreme in almost a year back now and subsequent to that, one of the updates sounded really off. I checked it out and noticed that all of my carefully imposed settings had been reset to default - most notably the advanced settings in Device setup as well as all the DSP modules being re-introduced after I had deleted them. It seems that, under certain conditions, a fresh install can be imposed instead of a simple update. It is worth checking this if you are noticing a significant difference in SQ after an update. Once I reset everything back to my preference, it sounded a lot closer to how I recall it being prior to that update.

 

[still-one]

I have been using Roon for over 6 years now and have never heard these so called changes when Roon has updated their software. It is also rock solid in my set-up. I have no idea what some of these users do to mess up their set-ups.

 

[bryans]

I have been using Roon for over 6 years now and have never heard these so called changes when Roon has updated their software. It is also rock solid in my set-up. I have no idea what some of these users do to mess up their set-ups.

I must admit I don't get caught up in all of these so called changes. But clearly it is a hot topic to some.

 

[HughP3]

I have been using Roon for over 6 years now and have never heard these so called changes when Roon has updated their software. It is also rock solid in my set-up. I have no idea what some of these users do to mess up their set-ups.

Agree i have not heard any difference either. System warmup way more important for me

 

[Steve Williams]

Agree i have not heard any difference either. System warmup way more important for me

well I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has heard the Roon change in SQ with many builds, so much so that even with a life membership I have listened to Roon perhaps 2x in the past 3-4 years. The last time I used Roon was when IIRC Christoph mentioned that turning off a few things in the Roon menu actually made the sound better (which it did). Roon is top heavy with code which as I think I understand it, is the problem for changes in SQ. I don't use HQP but rather play everything "native". The changes were clearly audible with several Roon updates

 

[Elliot G.]

Agree i have not heard any difference either. System warmup way more important for me

My system keeps getting better and its not Roon but Wadax has no roon issues . I think sometimes people are looking at the wrong thing and maybe its the implementation in the particular item you have rather than the Roon software. Wadax and Roon are rock solid.
Ive done a lot to my system in almost the last two years that I have owned the Wadax system and I have never felt like Roon updates dramatically changed anything.
Just one mans opinion

 

[matthias]

Wadax has no roon issues

I suppose it will be the same with Taiko when the Taiko router, switch and network card have been released.

Matt

 

[Steve Williams]

I suppose it will be the same with Taiko when the Taiko router, switch and network card have been released.

Matt

and lets not forget XDMS which is the reason I longer use Roon

 

[Taiko Audio]

I suppose it will be the same with Taiko when the Taiko router, switch and network card have been released.

Matt

Just the new networkcard / switch combo does indeed accomplish that. Or XDMS, obviously. The router is more of a general improvement for any network connected device.

 

[Macattack]

Happy ROON user who did notice better SQ when I started using Squeeze Player in front for the ROON core on my Antipodes K50.

 

[Windows X]

Different streamers in different systems will have different level of resolving. Back in CD times there's also people who say there's no audible difference between CD transports too so this is nothing new.

As for Roon sound changes, it started to reach acceptable level at version 1.8. 2.0 has different ups and downs but still acceptable until recently. I got updated to 1202 and that's where it goes off beyond my threshold.

It seems the last OK build for 2.0 is build 1182. I put some RAAT files form 1182 into 1202 package and sound seems OK now. If you prefer better sound quality without this trick, maybe you can try Roon legacy 1.8. I heard some people downgraded to Legacy with happy results.

Regards,
Keetakawee

 

[PYP]

Different streamers in different systems will have different level of resolving. Back in CD times there's also people who say there's no audible difference between CD transports too so this is nothing new.

As for Roon sound changes, it started to reach acceptable level at version 1.8. 2.0 has different ups and downs but still acceptable until recently. I got updated to 1202 and that's where it goes off beyond my threshold.

It seems the last OK build for 2.0 is build 1182. I put some RAAT files form 1182 into 1202 package and sound seems OK now. If you prefer better sound quality without this trick, maybe you can try Roon legacy 1.8. I heard some people downgraded to Legacy with happy results.

Regards,
Keetakawee

Agreed that different streamers provide different sound with Roon in general and, apparently, with the various Roon versions. The streamers have software updates too, of course. Just completed a software update for the Grimm MU1, then the Roon update (to 1211), so I'm not sure what is causing what. Doesn't matter, the sound is wonderful. Best so far in my setup.

I wonder what the streamers that work well with Roon have in common. Especially since their approaches are so different (for example: Wadax, Taiko, Grimm).

 

[Windows X]

Agreed that different streamers provide different sound with Roon in general and, apparently, with the various Roon versions. The streamers have software updates too, of course. Just completed a software update for the Grimm MU1, then the Roon update (to 1211), so I'm not sure what is causing what. Doesn't matter, the sound is wonderful. Best so far in my setup.

I wonder what the streamers that work well with Roon have in common. Especially since their approaches are so different (for example: Wadax, Taiko, Grimm).

I think the difference would be about the approach of audio reproduction. Some highend systems sound really good with strong sound characteristics making subtle changes harder to notice but still sound great.

Some systems sound really good with very low coloration and so they're more sensitive to subtle changes. For system with strong characteristics, they often have ultra expensive cables. And very low coloration one often use DIY / mid-end cables that doesn't give much of 'high-end sound'.

Both approaches sound great in different ways when done right. So, maybe Roon update won't show much changes in system with strong characteristics is my assumption about this. Either way, enjoy the music and happy listening.

Regards,
Keetakawee

 

[Windows X]

After March 2023 and new Roon update caused weird issues again. Not only sound quality issue got changed but reliability got affected too. After a lot of troubleshooting, I decided to rollback to version 2.0 build 1182 which is known to be last stable 2.0 version before things got worse in 1202 and so on. And those issues disappeared.

I thought coming back to version 1.8 was right answer for Roon users. At least you won't feel troubled by new updates that may change sound or cause strange issues with new toys they're trying hard to appeal like Roon ARC and CarPlay that most audiophiles don't use and can't be turned off.

Anyway, I've just got time to try JPLAY uPNP app today. Its user interfance is sleek and comfortable and sound quality from JPLAY app made me determined to not ever use Roon if I were to demonstrate my system again. You should try JPLAY and see if it can work with your streamer / streaming dac better.

 

[Mrmb]

I hope every roon user here has deleted all the filters in the dsp section
Not only disabled but completely deleted.
If not, please do and comment afterwards

As several have already done, I wanted to thank-you for this advice! Who would've thought...!?!

 

[christoph]

@christoph

its all moot as XDMS lands in May

Just stumbled over this posting of yours and had to laugh a little, you didn't say what year back then

 

[Alrainbow]

Roon sounds differently on what software is used as an example
If Linux it’s faster in decay this makes me feel it’s more detailed
if varying windows it’s very different yet again. the main board and how much memory is used , specs and memory
all attribute to changes
Lastly I feel a good fresh install does wonders as well and turn off all scanning.
toy can see it coming if toy look in tasks manger cpu and memory usage.
a good buddy turned me into this as well memory management tools.
if we consider it’s all Math we hear Millions of coding lines all taking place

 

[Windows X]

After further investigation, I think I found the reason why sound on Roon keeps changing in 2.0 release. The main reason is Roon ARC that keeps listening to port forwarding uPNP protocol to Roon mobile feature. Well, that adds extra layer of interference compared to Roon 1.8 but still bearable for me.

After they added CarPlay, they made some changes in RAAT trying to support CarPlay feature and some changes in RAAT made sound quality dropped like hell in version 2.0 build 1202. After that it got a bit better and somehow recent build 1234 got worse but not as bad as build 1202.

If you think about it, computer audio server tries to minimize utilization and footprints as much as possible and Roon does everything opposite of it. To think music player application will consume all RAM, frequently raise high CPU utilization for the sake of getting fancy UI and has nothing to do about audio playback.

Back in CD ripping era people would prefer ripping with lowest read speed possible with least interference while ripping and audiophile player apps back then are the same too. Now Roon is too bloated for audiophiles who use highend system. They changed their direction to appeal more casual but luxury target audience with Roon ARC and CarPlay.

I really hoped that Roon will listen to feedback from customers who use serious systems but it seems devs are on the side of "bits are bits" which is very sad realization that I didn't expect until recent exchange I made with them. I should have done more research about their past.

 

[StreamFidelity]

Well, that adds extra layer of interference compared to Roon 1.8 but still bearable for me.

I totally agree with your statement. Every activity when reading or writing data tries to use the CPU with a high prioritization. Roon adds a lot of electrical noise. Roon increases the latencies. But there is a solution: HQPlayer.

I use Roon on a NAS (Server) where my music files are also located. Because Roon has the best user interface for me. On the other side HQPlayer has much better algorithms and runs on a fanless audio PC.

I wrote something about it here: Audio PC & Control PC

 

[Windows X]

I totally agree with your statement. Every activity when reading or writing data tries to use the CPU with a high prioritization. Roon adds a lot of electrical noise. Roon increases the latencies. But there is a solution: HQPlayer.

I use Roon on a NAS (Server) where my music files are also located. Because Roon has the best user interface for me. On the other side HQPlayer has much better algorithms and runs on a fanless audio PC.

I wrote something about it here: Audio PC & Control PC

I agree that Roon has better user interface and many audiophiles are willing to compromise having sound quality dropped down for better user experience. If you use HQPlayer with its own remote app (that actually work as remote without affecting audio signal mixing non-audio information from network into packets), it will sound significantly better than Roon + HQPlayer.

But changing from Roon to something like this? Some audiophiles couldn't accept that and may already bought Roon's lifetime license when it still sounded better like in early 1.8 builds.



There's always effect to digital audio in every chain even if you isolate Roon core in different computer. Upgrading computer for better sound quality in Roon core like LPS and network cable are enough proof about it.

I also share similar fate since Roon 1.8 started to sound more acceptable to me and I tried my best to optimize Roon to reach to acceptable sound performance and enjoy better user experience. It wasn't as good as my usual reference platform but close enough for better UI.

However, it got worse in 2.0 and I tried to compromise with Roon even with isolating to separated endpoint device in my system. But after 2.0 build 1202, that was the last straw. CarPlay ruined everything and RAAT from transport is the culprit. Even sending to endpoint or use HQPlayer won't fix it. A lot of my friends complained about it it and Roon's stance is "bits are bits".

Fortunately, my friend's company JPLAY has launched JPLAY app and its user experience is pretty close to Roon but offers much better sound quality that I can also use with my reference platform too. I will never go back to Roon that does everything wrong with computer audio again, ever.