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 Posted:   Dec 22, 2024 - 1:09 PM   
 By:   John Schuermann   (Member)

Oh, here's the link to the shootout results in case anyone is interested (Kaleidescape / disc vs. streaming):

https://www.thescreeningroomav.com/single-post/results-of-the-kaleidescape-vs-streaming-fall-mini-event

 
 Posted:   Dec 22, 2024 - 3:14 PM   
 By:   Nicolai P. Zwar   (Member)


As usual, we don't disagree from a philosophical standpoint.


So that means we don't disagree, right? Or is there another standpoint where we disagree?

 
 Posted:   Dec 24, 2024 - 11:49 AM   
 By:   John Schuermann   (Member)


As usual, we don't disagree from a philosophical standpoint.


So that means we don't disagree, right? Or is there another standpoint where we disagree?


We just disagree on all the stuff you are wrong about. wink

 
 Posted:   Dec 24, 2024 - 11:51 AM   
 By:   Nicolai P. Zwar   (Member)


As usual, we don't disagree from a philosophical standpoint.


So that means we don't disagree, right? Or is there another standpoint where we disagree?


We just disagree on all the stuff you are wrong about. wink



It is as I said then, we don't disagree.

 
 Posted:   Dec 26, 2024 - 4:56 AM   
 By:   Bandolero!   (Member)

I've been playing with Roon for about a year now, and now that I have a real (but simple) stereo (a small Wiim Amp set up), I'm loving it. And I'm also slowly converting to ALAC or FLAC. First up will be the out of print not streaming available albums.

Pretty much everyone in these forums has music that's not available on streaming services. Being able to listen to my ripped music (not available on streaming), Tidal stuff, etc., in a mix and match way is so great. I can make a Williams or Goldsmith playlist that includes anything and everything.
And Roon is great for organizing and suggesting stuff. Do I need it? Maybe not, but it's great. YouTube Music lets you upload ripped music and it works but it's interface and organization for your uploads needs serious help. Roon and Roon ARC is much better (but sadly we have to pay for that).

As for as organizing, I start(ed) with iTunes and it does the basic job. I keep the tags simple. For film music and classical, I sort just by composer but with some indication of a conductor or orchestra rerecording in the album name. I don't have many multiples of Beethoven or Mozart symphonies, so just listing it as a Symphony 5 is just fine, althought I may tag it as "Symphony 9 (Bernstein NYPhil)" for example. I don't look for something to listen based on a conductor and orchestra, so this system works for me.
I do have many, many songs/cues listed as "Adagio", or "scherzo", just like I have a gillion tracks titled "end credits" or "main title" big grin It's fine.


After trying out Roon for two weeks now, I have to say I like it and enoy it quite a bit.
It was easy to set up, and once I worked out some of the kinks, it has a nice UI and presents my collection in a nice way.
...

 
 Posted:   Dec 26, 2024 - 5:01 AM   
 By:   Bandolero!   (Member)

I break up CDs based on the work. So an album/collection with Beethoven's 1st and 2nd symphonies will be broken up in iTunes into Symphony #1, Symphony #2, etc. I usually don't break up small suites or works. The BLUE MAX re-recording comes to mind as it had lots of small Goldsmith selections from INCHON, SAND PEBBLES, etc. I kept those together.

...
So I know some people break up their recordings in individual works. The idea behind that is that a "CD" or "album" is an artificial "container" anyway to transport the music, so unlike say a pop musician who may have created an "album" as a work, in classical music, Beethoven composed his "Symphony No. 6" as a work, not "an album" with the Symphony and maybe another symphony or some overtures or whatever. So they practically make individual albums out of the "works". Which I think is a logical step and perfectly "legitimate" (I use "legitimate" here just in the sense that I can see the consistent logic behind it; obviously, any way anyone wants to tag his music is perfectly fine, whatever works and makes you happy).

 
 Posted:   Jan 15, 2025 - 4:55 AM   
 By:   Nicolai P. Zwar   (Member)


So I am not sure if and what Roon will really bring to the table, or if it brings anything at all (yes, nice cross-references with various artists and albums, neat, but not essential... in classical music, that information is often already in booklets anyway) but I am willing to try it out for three months. :-D


Let me know what you think of it after the eval period.


Yeah, will do.



Well, half-time as far as my Roon trial goes, and what can I say.

Roon found its way into my listening habits and fits like a glove... the software is unapologetically designed to impress the music listener and fan. Setting it up on my NAS was as smooth as a John Barry tune: sophisticated software, yes, but surprisingly easy to install and set up. Once it was running, Roon opened a world of possibilities, configurations abound, letting you tailor the experience to your liking. The integration across my streamer, smartphone, PC, and tablet? Flawless. Roon doesn't just play music; it turns your entire music ecosystem into music magazine remote. There are some quirks there, yes, but so far, I could all work them out.
Great community forum with lots of help; first time I posted there, my thread ended up in a lengthy discussion about tagging classical music and why Roon might have difficulty with composers in "Album Artist" tags, even though I have thousands of classical albums that Roon recognized just fine that way. My actual question had to do with Roon splitting up some but no all compilations, and I couldn't quite figure out why.

Browsing music with Roon becomes a joyride through your own collection. Background information pops up, even some anecdotes, and Roons filters are sharp: the "Focus" section is a revelation. Qobuz and local files sit together like old friends, my system is MQA capable all of a sudden (even though I have only about half a dozen MQA enabled albums, it's good to know the option is there).

Some features, though, as useful as they may be to some, remain ornaments on the tree for me. Multi-room and multi-device support? Sounds impressive, but my modest needs don't require it. DSP? Roon knows when to step back and let the music shine, passing the original files through untouched—just as it should. No need for in between processing.

Now, for the elephant in the listening room: price. Roon is pricey, no doubt. It's the kind of expense that makes you pause and ask: “Do I really need this?” And the honest answer might be no. It is fun, powerful, and innovative... but not strictly necessary for streaming local and Qobuz files and enjoying music.

In conclusion: Roon is the finest modern music management software I've come across. I really like it. It juggles local files, streaming services, and a treasure trove of features with effortless cool. The sorting, playlist capabilities, and finally, finally, those sweet listening stats (I always thought it would be cool to track my listening, but found that impractical before Roon) make it a true standout. I'll enjoy my trial to the end of February, savoring every note along the way. After that? Well, I don't currently think I'll be shelling out the big bucks for a lifetime of Roon, and I will see how well I can do without it, but who knows, I might come back to it some day. I have fun with it.


Edit: PS: A killer feature that would have been really useful for me no too long ago is Roon ARC. Just tried it out and that's a pretty cool thing.
Roon ARC makes your entire collection portable. I could access my music before from anywhere on my NAS, but Roon is doing it in a smoother and more elegant way. Basically, it presents my own collection from anywhere and makes streaming your own collection on the go a smooth experience.
Just trying it out as I prepare for a week vacation.

Roon ARC Screenthot:

 
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