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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 22, 2019 6:53:38 GMT -5
I received Roon's notice of their new "Valence" software. So far as I can tell, it's an extension to, or a replacement for, Roon Radio that uses algorithms to scan internet radio stations and your own music collection (TIDAL or Qobuzz too, if you have them) to recommend new content, based on your listening preferences. It also claims a better-optimized core that requires less resources to provide the same (or faster) performance. The whole works is based on Microsoft's "dot-net" technology.
The above paragraph is based on a quick scan of the links provided in the announcement email, and may or may not be totally accurate.
So if I understand Roon correctly, their 1.7 version software (Valence) will be free to subscribers, will improve performance, and will offer (hopefully defeatable) heuristics to choose new music for the listener.
Sounds like a win-win to me but for one thing. Microsoft DotNet compiled programs do not run on Apple OS-X. So will Valence be ported to OS-X? Will the promised performance improvements function on Apple products? Or is Roon (again) dumping all over their Apple customers? If the latter, it's time to abandon the Apple platform (as a Roon host), go to a different hardware platform, and quit blowing against the wind. The Roon Valence intro page is deliberately quiet on these questions.
Boomzilla
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 22, 2019 7:12:27 GMT -5
1.7 has been pushed. Try it and see if it works on your Apple.
The app works perfectly on my iPad and iPhone.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 22, 2019 9:53:07 GMT -5
It's a nice update to Roon Radio.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 22, 2019 9:57:15 GMT -5
I plan to make sure mine updates tomorrow. Was too busy to check it yesterday and today.
Mark
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 22, 2019 9:59:44 GMT -5
The update is one of Roon's smoothest yet, although the database re-scan can take a while depending on the size of your library.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 22, 2019 11:31:49 GMT -5
Boomzilla - Please read the release notes (key phrase is "when running on Roon OS"). You're not running Roon OS, so this sentence is moot. Starting with Roon 1.7, when running on Roon OS, Roon will use the Microsoft .NET Core Runtime, which offers higher performance and improved memory efficiency. Library management aspects of Roon typically run 30-40% faster, use less power, and generate less heat. This also enables larger music libraries on the same hardware. Roon OS has always been the best way to run Roon for most users, but as of this change, we are confident that it is the best option for everyone, regardless of library size. Roon on Roon OS is now more efficient and performs better than Roon on any other platform or product.
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 22, 2019 11:49:36 GMT -5
OK - Is "Valence" only for Roon OS?
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 22, 2019 15:59:34 GMT -5
OK - Is "Valence" only for Roon OS? No. It is part of 1.7
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 22, 2019 16:25:37 GMT -5
Don't get hung up on Roon OS. I'm running 1.7 on a mid-powered Win 10 desktop PC, and it works great. It'll work fine on your Mac.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Nov 22, 2019 17:11:01 GMT -5
From that wording it seems pretty clear that "when running on Roon OS, Roon will use the Microsoft .NET Core Runtime". It seems likely that, when running on other platforms, it will use something else (probably what it currently uses).
However, from the rest of the wording, it seems clear that they would very much prefer for all of their customers to switch to Roon OS.
You can feel free to infer that, at some point in the future, they may stop development on other platforms, or not. From my experience with other software companies I would suspect that they probably will not actually discontinue support on other platforms for quite some time - if ever. (After all, they do have paid-up lifetime subscriptions to service.)
However, eventually, they will probably simply stop updating the product on other platforms, while continuing to release new versions and features on the preferred platform. (This may also mean that, the next time there is a major MacOS or Windows update, they don't bother to offer a new version of Roon to go with it.)
Boomzilla - Please read the release notes (key phrase is "when running on Roon OS"). You're not running Roon OS, so this sentence is moot. Starting with Roon 1.7, when running on Roon OS, Roon will use the Microsoft .NET Core Runtime, which offers higher performance and improved memory efficiency. Library management aspects of Roon typically run 30-40% faster, use less power, and generate less heat. This also enables larger music libraries on the same hardware. Roon OS has always been the best way to run Roon for most users, but as of this change, we are confident that it is the best option for everyone, regardless of library size. Roon on Roon OS is now more efficient and performs better than Roon on any other platform or product.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 22, 2019 18:24:23 GMT -5
You may be right, Keith. They are also apparently trying to discourage additional lifetime subscriptions by raising the price significantly to $699, which means they are likely looking for ways to increase their revenue stream (more monthly subscribers) and ways to limit the service burden size from those of us who already paid for lifetime.
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 22, 2019 22:12:39 GMT -5
I also wouldn't put it past them to offer new features that will be unavailable to lifetime subscribers without payment of additional fees.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Nov 23, 2019 0:32:47 GMT -5
You may be right, Keith. They are also apparently trying to discourage additional lifetime subscriptions by raising the price significantly to $699, which means they are likely looking for ways to increase their revenue stream (more monthly subscribers) and ways to limit the service burden size from those of us who already paid for lifetime. Wow! When did Roon go up in price? I know Ive been away a bit, but damn!
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 23, 2019 10:33:19 GMT -5
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Post by jdmusante on Nov 23, 2019 11:32:36 GMT -5
Thanks for posting. Totally missed that they were doing this. Makes sense, and as far as I can tell, means they are stabilizing as a business. That's a good thing as I don't want look for another music player.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 23, 2019 11:36:18 GMT -5
I also wouldn't put it past them to offer new features that will be unavailable to lifetime subscribers without payment of additional fees. Which is simply a standard business model. So did you do the update yet?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 23, 2019 14:03:06 GMT -5
Mine is updating now. Need to go check it. It was updating the database a few minutes ago.
Mark
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Post by garbulky on Nov 23, 2019 14:08:02 GMT -5
I never understood why Roon needed so much resources. I can understand if it was streaming multiple streams to multiple devices. But streaming to a single device should take barely any strain on a CPU imo.
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Post by garbulky on Nov 23, 2019 14:09:43 GMT -5
It was an explanation but a poor one. It amounted to - we'd much rather make more money charging yearly subscription now that we've established revenue and market share.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 23, 2019 14:11:50 GMT -5
It was an explanation but a poor one. It amounted to - we'd much rather make more money charging yearly subscription now that we've established revenue and market share. "We'd rather make more money so we can stay in business and grow rather then be a niche system soon forgotten by most."
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