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- Utility Guides
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If you have a digital music library, you may only hear hearsay about Roon Labs software for playing music . Compatible with the Mac and Windows operating system, it allows you to enjoy digital music with all the charm of physical media.
The experience goes far beyond high resolution. However, the functions that have made this program to play music essential for many audiophiles are often unknown.
That is why Concerto Audio has created this frequently asked questions guide . We hope it helps you decide if it's worth it, or if you don't need it.
What is roon?
It is a software for playback and music cataloging. Compatible with almost all popular audio codecs, including WAV/PCM or FLAC, it reaches a resolution of 32-bit/768kHz. Therefore, it is also compatible with MQA and DSD512.
It is compatible with various audio devices, both stereo and surround< equipment. /strong> multichannel. You can control playback from your smartphone, tablet or the same computer.
How to run roon?
You can run roon as an installed program on your Mac or Windows, Linux computer, and also with apps for iOS and Android phones and tablets.
In addition, you can also access basic functions from the remote controls of compatible devices.
What is it for? Features
Allows you to organize the music collection from the hard drive to your liking. Classify it by genres, authors, periods... In addition, it will be in charge of adding data typical of physical formats to the file, such as covers, biography of the author or information about the recording.
All these functions are not only compatible with your hard drive. You can apply them to streaming services such as Tidal or Qobuz. It is also compatible with Airplay, Chromecast, Sonos and < span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bluesound.
Can I use roon with my CD collection?
Yes, but first you'll need to rip it. There are multiple options to transfer your CD collection to a hard drive, such as the Bluesound Vault 2i or one of the models in Cocktail Audio.
If there are also other music files such as downloaded MQA files or Studio Master files in the database on your hard drive, roon will also be able to play them.
Multiroom systems with roon
You can create a multiroom system with several roon ready devices. Place one in each room where you want to have music, and manage the synchronized playback from the software. You can choose what you want to hear in each room and at what volume.
Furthermore, you can optimize the room thanks to the DSP equalization (Digital Sound Processor). This function allows you to adapt the sound to the acoustic needs of the room, achieving a better reproduction.
Does it always play at 32bit/768kHz?
No. In order for roon to be able to play at full resolution, you need to have a compatible device that can play it.
The software will automatically adapt to the capacity of the player. In this way, the maximum possible resolution will always be obtained, marked by the final device. For example, an active speaker.
What is needed to install it?
You will need a roon core, also called a roon nucleus. It is nothing more than the device with a hard drive and an internet connection, on which the software will be installed. For example, your Linux, Mac or Windows computer. Although it is also possible to use a streamer with pre-installed software such as roon network players.
This device will play both from any NAS hard drive connected to the network, as well as from your online streaming service accounts. To expand the system, you can opt for Roon ready devices with which to create an entire ecosystem.
What does roon ready mean?
Devices with this certification can be portable or self-powered speakers, DAC converters, Hi-Fi amplifiers or AV receivers and even headphones like Audeze. It means that they will be able toplay without problems what the roon core device sends them.
The following brands have devices with the Roon Ready Certificate:
How does roon work?
Once the roon nucleus and roon ready devices have been installed, all you have to do is install the control software. Either the program on a computer or the app on a smartphone or tablet. Currently, version 1.8 is available, although it is updated often to add improvements.
Try roon for free
This software payment, which can be purchased year after year or for life. However, you can enjoy a free trial of the roon experience for 14 days. Those two weeks will allow you to know if it is worth it in your case, or if it is not worth what it costs for you.