As for my reactions when handed an iPad with Roon: this is done routinely by my dealer in Boston. I stare at the screen, trying to figure it out, keep swiping, keep tapping and perhaps music will start playing. Then I have to figure out how to control the volume. I can't always find the music I want to listen to. I've tried it, and I don't like it. One of my buddies uses an iPad for his digital. He hands it to me if he leaves the room. I just put it down until he comes back. Engrossing is not how I would describe the experience. I'm sure others love it, and that is fine with me. It does not seem to be for everybody, though. Perhaps it is a generational thing, who knows?
Says the guy who sets VTA for each LP.
The above is very natural to me, as all of us use e-devices, and at some time or the other, much before becoming audiophiles, have plugged in USBs and hard discs and routers.
Similarly, moving speakers, aligning them with laser, solving issues similar to what I had when my downward firing Logan subs were firing sound down to my neighbors below – came very easy to me. Because all this required moving, lifting, listening…natural talents, like using mobile phone and ipad. Similarly, setting up an Aurender s10 back then was easy. Plug and play.
However, VTA, SRA, VTF – freaks me out. Nothing I have done before in life, prepares me for starting off on analog. Lifting weights, running, playing cricket, using computers and mobile phones, my past two non-analog systems – none of these activities have prepared me for how to set up and align cartridges and move tonearms. Plus, each tonearm/cart is different, while all mobile phones and ipads will work the same way. Tidal and Qobuz will be similar. You get one, you get them all.
Even while auditioning my confidence on analog auditions is much lower. There is no way to know if loading, gain, SUTs, arm cart compliance, etc etc have all been accounted for properly. Consistency across systems is the only guideline.
So vinyl guys like you and Marc should be able to set up a streamer and dac with their left hands while the right is adjusting the VTA. Ok, filters. Aurender did not have filters, HQP does, so maybe a bit more work.