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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 6, 2020 9:56:48 GMT -5
Raves? Rants? Regrets? Recriminations? Ruminations? ROON!
Get yer ya-yas out over one of the most popular music playback software packages on the market. Whether you run ROON on Windows, OS-X, or Linux, this is the thread for you.
I'll bust it out to start concerning the Roon nucleus+. I'm now 24 hours into the setup, and haven't gotten a sound out of it yet. Make of that what you will...
Is the nucleus easier to use than a home-made NUC? Does the nucleus sound better than ROON on a generic computer OS? Enquiring minds want to know! So before I dive off the deep end, will you please share with me your own Roonerisms?
Thanks - Boom
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Post by wilburthegoose on Dec 6, 2020 10:22:42 GMT -5
Roon is the best for me. Extremely easy to use with fantastic features including metadata, good GUI, and ability to integrate Tidal.
I use a NUC running ROCK , which is essentially a homegrown Nucleus. Sound quality is great, but it was the same when I ran the Roon server in my Win 10 desktop pc.
It took me about 20 minutes to get it up and running. For me, it was really easy.
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Post by brubacca on Dec 6, 2020 11:07:04 GMT -5
Boomzilla!
I built my Nuc based Roon Rock and has music running within a couple hours. I'm not sure how many, but it was definitely hours not days.
Before that I installed the NAS version of Roon server on my Asustor NAS and again it was minutes maybe an hour.
The gremlins are at it in your house again today.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 6, 2020 11:13:12 GMT -5
I love Roon. My setup was quick and easy, and it just works. I love how I can control everything from my trusty Surface tablet, even my Sonos units via Roon Remote.
Mark
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Post by LuisV on Dec 6, 2020 11:18:20 GMT -5
Interesting that you're having issues with the Nucleus as it should be plug and play. During my initial research I realized that the Nucleus was simply a NUC in a nice fanless case, so I started with Core on a Macbook Pro; however, I didn't like the fact that I needed to grab my Macbook, wake it up from sleep to simply listen to music; it seemed extremely cumbersome to me. Since my NAS is on 24/7 and has plenty of compute resources, I created an Ubuntu VM. I went with Linux as I didn't want to deal with the monthly Windows patching cycle nor did I want to buy a license for the operating system. Installing Core on Ubuntu was painless and so far, no issues with Roon.
Between running Core on my Macbook vs Ubuntu on my NAS... I hear zero differences. Most if not all of my library is FLAC and I use Tidal. I have 4 Sonos zones that I stream to via Roon. All in all... no complaints.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 6, 2020 11:40:39 GMT -5
Two things about using Roon users need to know...If you are using Roon on multiple devices, and suddenly a zone isn't showing...
1) If it's all zones, 1st thing to check is that the core is actually up and running. Obvious, but...it's easy to go down a rat hole into looking for other problems, so start with the easy one. My core is on a Dell PC, and if we have a power outage I need to power up the PC and when it gets to the Windows login screen - I need to log in. After that, the PC completes startup and Roon starts automatically and all is good. If it gets to the Windows login screen and I don't complete that step - Roon does not start and nothing plays anywhere.
2) If 1 zone isn't showing, Roon does need to see the zone...in my case, 1 zone includes an UltraRendu that feeds a DAC via USB. If the UltraRendu is on but the DAC is not - the zone won't show up. So, make sure everything you need to feed that zone is powered up.
Mark
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Post by wilburthegoose on Dec 6, 2020 15:07:29 GMT -5
@luisv - agree 100% with what you're saying. I too found it to be a PITA to keep my Win 10 PC up and running in order to use Roon. The NUC is truly a headless appliance, and I much prefer it.
Also agree that it's really odd to have problems. Just make sure you have your music files connected to the Nucleus - My external magnetic hard drive is connected via USB 3.0, and works perfectly. I can even access the files from my PC for backup or when I rip a new CD.
Man - I just remembered what a PITA adding new music files was back with Windows Media Center. I don't miss those days!
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 6, 2020 20:38:31 GMT -5
Two things about using Roon users need to know...If you are using Roon on multiple devices, and suddenly a zone isn't showing... 1) If it's all zones, 1st thing to check is that the core is actually up and running. Obvious, but...it's easy to go down a rat hole into looking for other problems, so start with the easy one. My core is on a Dell PC, and if we have a power outage I need to power up the PC and when it gets to the Windows login screen - I need to log in. After that, the PC completes startup and Roon starts automatically and all is good. If it gets to the Windows login screen and I don't complete that step - Roon does not start and nothing plays anywhere. 2) If 1 zone isn't showing, Roon does need to see the zone...in my case, 1 zone includes an UltraRendu that feeds a DAC via USB. If the UltraRendu is on but the DAC is not - the zone won't show up. So, make sure everything you need to feed that zone is powered up. Mark ALL ACADEMIC for me - I use only one zone. |
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Post by Casey Leedom on Dec 6, 2020 22:23:50 GMT -5
I'm using Roon (and have for the last two years) in its completely separate form with a Roon Endpoint (currently a Matrix Audio Element X), a Roon Server (random Linux Ubuntu box), and a Roon Controller (iOS/Mac OS Apps) all operating separately. I do have "Separate Zones" in that my iOS/Mac OS devices are all also zones, but that's just the way it works.
Casey
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Dec 7, 2020 13:24:28 GMT -5
I converted from a Squeeze-based system to a Roon-based one and will not go back. The sound is better, functionality is better, and every-day use is less fiddly. My system includes a Linux-based dedicated server running Roon core, a combination of hard-wired and wireless home network, and endpoints including 2 Sonore Ultrarenus, 2 Elac Discovery Z3s, an Elac Discovery DS-101 being used as an endpoint, and two PCs running Roon as endpoint/controllers. I have Roon installed on two iPads and two iPhones as controllers (they can also function as endpoints if we choose.) I have no issues with my system and am a Roon advocate. Well worth the lifetime license I purchased in 2017.
Edit: Leave your server running 24/7, which in Boom's case will be the Nucleus. I have had far fewer issues with things like losing zones (as discussed above) when the server with Roon core never shuts off. I built a silent fanless system and I never even know it is there.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 7, 2020 13:29:37 GMT -5
ALL ACADEMIC for me - I use only one zone. I thought that was the case for you. My comments were more directed at other users who may have >1 zone and not know that info...since, after all, it's a "Roon Users" thread so I assumed it's aimed at more than just you. Mark |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 7, 2020 14:51:16 GMT -5
I thought that was the case for you. My comments were more directed at other users who may have >1 zone and not know that info...since, after all, it's a "Roon Users" thread so I assumed it's aimed at more than just you. Mark Thanks - And you're absolutely right! |
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Post by LuisV on Dec 7, 2020 15:57:11 GMT -5
Out of curiosity I kicked off a backup... took 29mins.  |
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Post by SteveH on Dec 7, 2020 16:06:54 GMT -5
I have the Roon Core and my library on a dedicated QNAP NAS connected to a Bluesound Node 2i using Ethernet (I only have the one zone) and it has been issue free since I turned it up in October 2019. Roon has never given me problems, but the Node 2i has thrown me two curve balls, both were after the Node 2i performed a firmware update.
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Post by Casey Leedom on Dec 7, 2020 17:03:10 GMT -5
The only on-going issue that I've noticed is that the iOS Roon Controller app will crash/hang occasionally. Other than that, completely happy.
Casey
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Post by jdmusante on Dec 7, 2020 23:53:26 GMT -5
I've been using a Sonictransporter i5 and an Ultrarendu with Roon for the last two years. This has been wonderful for me. ZERO issues. Works all the time. Sounds amazing. Before that I used a MacMini and was not a fan of it. The Roon app works great on my MacBook Pro but lags on my iPhone.
Highly recommend Roon. Great user interface and awesome user experience.
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 8, 2020 6:24:48 GMT -5
If you already HAD a backup, then you didn't really do a full backup - only an "incremental." The incremental backup I just did on my library took about 18 minutes. The Roon backup page doesn't give you the option of choosing a full or incremental - If it knows that you've done a previous backup, and Roon can find it, then it just backs up whatever isn't already backed up. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 8, 2020 6:35:53 GMT -5
Interesting that you're having issues with the Nucleus as it should be plug and play... To be fair, the majority of my complaints aren't substantive. The lack of labeling on the on/off switch, the lack of model identification on the silkscreen, and the bad ergonomics of the recessed back panel are trivial. In fact, even the "having to reboot before the update will install" issue is not a deal breaker. But the flakiness of the Roon backup and restore ARE significant issues, as is the fact that even WITH a good backup, not all data transfers. Among the things that are lost: Favorites tags, playlists, and some hand-entered metadata. The Roon community agrees with me, although some think that they've found "work-arounds" to overcome the issues, others say that the kludges don't always work. Again, it bears mentioning that the backup and restore issues aren't part of the nucleus - but rather issues with Roon itself. So it isn't fair to blame the hardware platform for the shortcomings of the software. On another note, the "static in the audio" issue has magically resolved itself. Whether it's gone for good or not remains to be seen. As to sound quality - no decisions yet. If there IS any difference between the nucleus and my previous Mac Mini Roon Core, it's definitely minor. The show goes on! Boomzilla |
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Dec 8, 2020 7:32:02 GMT -5
I'm very interested in Roon, but there are so many different configurations I get confused about what is really needed. Warning, what comes next are probably dumb questions, but I've never shied away from asking or from entertaining dumb questions so here it goes... With Roon do you need another software interface like a JRiver to do playlists and searches? Then does this mean you need a separate PC from where Roon resides? What about a streamer? Do you need a separate streamer? Short term I have been contemplating putting Roon on a NUC and connecting to my Cambridge CXN streamer/DAC. Is it that simple? Eventually, I'd like to upgrade my DAC. If I do I am assuming I can just plug the digital out from the CXN and into whatever DAC I'd choose and I keep my streaming capability. Or would the streamer even be needed? Again, sorry about the freshman level questions.
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Post by LuisV on Dec 8, 2020 8:34:13 GMT -5
If you already HAD a backup, then you didn't really do a full backup - only an "incremental." The incremental backup I just did on my library took about 18 minutes. The Roon backup page doesn't give you the option of choosing a full or incremental - If it knows that you've done a previous backup, and Roon can find it, then it just backs up whatever isn't already backed up. It was a first time back up for Roon as my music is on my NAS and replicates to a second NAS in a different home as my music is all I truly care about; I also have the files on 2 separate cloud solutions. Yes, I have playlists, but they can be recreated; I don't have any custom metadata, so again, no concerns there. I never scheduled it when I was initially testing Roon, so to be honest, I forgot to set up the schedule after I purchased the license.  _  |
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