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    The Computer Audiophile

    Major Changes For Roon in Version 1.8

    On February 9, 2021 Roon will be updated to version 1.8. I'm short on details, but hope to have the team back on the podcast to talk about all updates. For now, here are the written details straight from Roon. I was told Roon version 1.8 runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs with the M1 SoC or newer. I'm waiting on a second confirmation of this and will report back as soon as I hear. 

     

    UPDATE: Just got confirmation that version 1.8 won't initially support Apple Silicon natively. Rosetta 2 is required. 

     

    Press Release: 

     

    February 2, 2021 – Roon Labs, the world’s most innovative music discovery and streaming platform that offers users a way to engage with their music collection in a whole new way, has made significant improvements with its latest software release.

     

    Roon 1.8 brings an immersive new experience that delivers even more from the Roon features you know and love, in a powerful and beautiful new way.

     

     

    Refined and redesigned
    In its latest release, Roon becomes a captivating gallery of music for you to browse and explore your collection on a much deeper level.

     

    Roon 1.8 presents a fresh, modern design with bold typography that looks visually stunning and is a pleasure to use. But the changes made are more than skin deep. Each of Roon’s newly designed layouts, from the new Home and artist screens to the composer and genre pages, are curated just for you.

     

    The new vertical scroll makes it quick and easy to find the music that you’re looking for, no matter what device you’re using – meaning your Roon experience is consistent and seamless across desktop, tablet and smartphone.

     

     

     

    Roon 1.8 02.jpg

     

    Intelligent and powerful music discovery


    Roon 1.8 brings extremely powerful new browsing capabilities and recommendations that understand your music collection like no other. By combining Roon’s deep metadata and learnings from how you and Roon’s community of 100,000 expert listeners use the platform, suggestions are made with uncanny insight and is tailored to each individual listener.

     

    Whether you have an extensive music collection you’ve built up over years or you’re just starting out, your own music collection is always just the starting point. Roon helps you rediscover your own music collection and find new music outside it. And by connecting TIDAL or Qobuz streaming services to your Roon account, you have access to a vast world of high-resolution streamed music and the possibility of making endless new discoveries.

     

     

    Roon 1.8 03.jpg

     

     

    Focus: far beyond “search”


    Roon’s Focus feature has long been the most powerful way to explore your own music, but the newly-expanded 1.8 release goes beyond your library. Focus can now be used to find music anywhere in Roon – even across Qobuz and TIDAL – giving you a 360- view of your favorite artists, genre, performers and composers.

     

    Browse and filter your favorite artists’ most significant albums, their top collaborations, their influences and connections to the artists you already love – to find exactly the music you’re looking for. Not only can you browse a variety of new Roon-powered recommendations, but the new Discography view makes it easy to browse even the most prolific artist’s catalog.

     

     

     

    Roon 1.8 01.jpg

     

    Classical music reimagined


    Roon understands that how you explore certain genres of music is different. That’s why the 1.8 release features a completely new visual style and information layout for classical music, bringing advanced discovery and an educational experience like no other service.

     

    Whether you’re a connoisseur or just getting introduced to classical music, Roon guides you to explore the genre from the perspective of the composer, performance, period or more. It also provides tighter links between albums and composers, as well as simpler browsing and intelligent recommendations based on the composer, performer, composition or conductor you’re listening to.

     

    The new Discography feature also includes a comprehensive new “performances” view, where you can use Focus to find the exact performance you’re looking for. Interested in hearing Martha Argerich performing Chopin? Maybe a Nocturne? All Bach recordings by Glenn Gould? In just a couple clicks, Focus will get you there.

     

     

     

    Roon 1.8 04.jpg

     

    An experience tailor-made for you


    Ever wondered what your most listened to artist or genre is? The updated Home screen in 1.8 includes an all-new dashboard of your listening habits over time, broken down by top artists, albums and genres. This can be switched to show data for the last week, month, year or all time.

     

    You also get a calendar view of what music you’ve been listening to over the last four weeks, and clicking on each section offers even deeper insight into your listening habits down to the minute.

     

    There are now also quick links to the Roon Community within the app, so you are always just one click away from support from Roon and its music experts.

     

     

     




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    11 minutes ago, bbosler said:

     

    not very familiar with Euphony. Are you using a complete Euphony system (hardware + software) or just running it on your computer? Are you comparing Roon and HQP when running it inside of Euphony or some other way?

     

    It looks to me like you can use Roon and HQP inside of Euphony so trying to wrap my head around what is actually going on and how you are using it. All 3 (Euphony, Roon, and HQP) can function as the file player on their own, Roon can use HQP player, Euphony can use Roon and HQP,  so I don't understand how they are all integrated.

     

    looks interesting but also looks like so many options/variables it is hard to do apples to apples or even figure out how it is all configured.. like I said, maybe I'm a little slow

     

     

     

    Euphony is just the name for the OS, which is an audio optimized version of Arch Linux. It contains Stylus, Roon server, and HQP embedded which can be used in various ways to playback music. If a person is using it with Roon and HQP it is no different in basic operation than a headless Ubuntu server running Roon and HQP.

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    1 hour ago, AudioDoctor said:

    I also agree with @ASRMichael that Euphony and HQP sounds far better than Roon and HQP.

     

    . but if Euphony is the OS don't you also need a file player like Roon to use HQP, not just "Euphony and HQP"? Not being argumentative, but with the "various" ways you mention it isn't clear which of the various ways you have determined is the best

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    5 minutes ago, bbosler said:

     

    . but if Euphony is the OS don't you also need a file player like Roon to use HQP, not just "Euphony and HQP"? Not being argumentative, but with the "various" ways you mention it isn't clear which of the various ways you have determined is the best

     

    Euphony has its own player called Stylus if you dont want to use Roon. It can interface with HQP or play by itself. Roon can play by itself, or use HQP or Stylus, and I think you can use HQP embedded all by itself as well if you wanted to.

     

    As for the best way to use it, in my experience using Stylus to playback the files all by itself is the best way to get the best sound.

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    30 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

     

    If that were true, don't you think my DAC would so the same to both sources?

    Second, I do not like Roon as is, however using the exact same hardware with different software sound better. Geez, it's not a hard concept.

     

    Quoting myself because I can no longer edit.

    I also have three DACs here, 1 of which I know for a fact  does zero upsampling.

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    got it, one more and I'll leave you alone... what computer are you running Euphony on? I don't suppose you have any experience with their hardware?

     

    (sorry, that's 2 questions)

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    3 minutes ago, bbosler said:

    got it, one more and I'll leave you alone... what computer are you running Euphony on? I don't suppose you have any experience with their hardware?

     

    (sorry, that's 2 questions)

     

    I built my own server mostly following the same build of our own Computer Audiophile that he wrote about on this site as his CAPS build. I have zero experience with their hardware.

     

    edit: I did not build an endpoint, yet... For that I am using either a Raspberry Pi as an NAA, or my Sonore Signature Rendu Optical, also as an NAA.

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    I’ve tried Roon on various servers. From NUC to full blown servers. On everyone of them Roon does not sound as good as other options out there. I love Roon interface, I would be using it if it sounded as good but it doesn’t. Just my opinion. 
     

    I like to think I don’t deal in absolutes. I like many others here have tried various OS’s and sure I’ll continue..It’s one of the few things that doesn’t break the bank to increase SQ. As I’ve said above, if your happy with Roon SQ then great! But you’ll only understand what I’m saying and many others have found by exploring other options. 

     

    Euphony had free 30 days trial. Put onto usb stick & try for yourself. I’m sure your Roon Nucleus will boot Euphony. 

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    On 2/4/2021 at 3:09 PM, ASRMichael said:

    The fact remains Roon sound quality compared to other players like Euphony, HQPlayer

     

     

    2 hours ago, ASRMichael said:

    Euphony had free 30 days trial. Put onto usb stick & try for yourself. I’m sure your Roon Nucleus will boot Euphony. 

     

    ok, fair enough... so if I get it.. Euphony is not a player, it is an OS. So how are you playing your files once you boot up Euphony?

     

     

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    8 minutes ago, bbosler said:

    ok, fair enough... so if I get it.. Euphony is not a player, it is an OS. So how are you playing your files once you boot up Euphony?

     

    man, that's been asked by you here in this thread many times, and answered each time...

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    7 minutes ago, bbosler said:

     

     

     

    ok, fair enough... so if I get it.. Euphony is not a player, it is an OS. So how are you playing your files once you boot up Euphony?

     

     

    Using built in media player on Euphony OS. It’s called Euphony Stylus, clunky media player but sounds great! You can make various tweaks to improve SQ also. Add OS to RAM, Buffer tracks before playing, core isolation. CPU frequency settings, Ethernet settings. 

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    16 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

    man, that's been asked by you here in this thread many times, and answered each time...

     

     

     

    i never asked ASRMichael how he had it configured

     

    really don't need your condescension

     

     

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    Using built in media player on Euphony OS. It’s called Euphony Stylus, clunky media player but sounds great! Y

     

    Thanks Michael, downloading now, I'll give it a try, thanks for sharing

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    Is Roon down? everything conspiring against me tonight, now Roon cannot logon from my Roon computer, cannot logon to their web, the community site says it is down what's going on?

     

    Roon3.thumb.PNG.48dd3ece5265701dd4594055859772be.PNGRoon2.thumb.PNG.42015b265e875607b5cb2522ee9c0b31.PNGRoon1.thumb.PNG.e6ad4d647d2965d56105886c909ea81d.PNG

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    4 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

     

    If that were true, don't you think my DAC would so the same to both sources?

    Second, I do not like Roon as is, however using the exact same hardware with different software sound better. Geez, it's not a hard concept.


    But you told us one source is purposely modifying the signal and you like it better than the source that isn’t.  If you want to compare software, compare them both doing absolutely no bit manipulation.

     

    I repeat, you don’t like your DAC as much when not fed upsampling from HQPlayer it has nothing to do with Roon.

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    Roon had an outage so I guess I wasn't going crazy, inconvenient for a Saturday night but it is fine

     

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    58 minutes ago, Dr Tone said:


    But you told us one source is purposely modifying the signal and you like it better than the source that isn’t.  If you want to compare software, compare them both doing absolutely no bit manipulation.

     

    I repeat, you don’t like your DAC as much when not fed upsampling from HQPlayer it has nothing to do with Roon.

     

     

    Ok, let me break this down barney style for you...

     

    If I have a DAC that is so bad that it makes me not like the sound of something because of its upsampling, what is stopping it from doing that same trick of ruining my music no matter what source I plug into it? Does the DAC have a personal vendetta against Roon, so it chooses to ruin only Roon streams? Are you personally offended that someone doesn't like the sound of Roon by itself?

     

    What I said is, that I like the sound of Roon and HQP better than I like the sound of Roon by itself. I also said that I find that to be true no matter how Roon is played back, or how the other sources are, or are not, used. I also said I have 3 different DACs here and I find it to be true among all of them, including one that I know for a fact does zero upsampling.

     

    I am also not alone with this belief. My opinions here are also not an attack on you. You're free to believe and to listen however you want.

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    I preferred HQP upsampling feeding a few DACs I’ve had as well.  I certainly don’t blame roon for that as it’s completely irrelevant as it doesn’t do HQP upsampling.

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    I use Roon to feed DSD 512 to a T+A DAC8 DSD.  It sounds fantastic, every bit as good as HQP and its hassle free.  Everyone’s taste is different but to flat out say there is an issue or it sounds worse is likely hyperbolic hogwash from the peanut gallery.

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    45 minutes ago, ted_b said:

    (or using a remote like HQPDcontrol to remotely pick HQP library files) sounds even better. 

     

    I have to agree with this as well. I find HQP by itself to sound better than Roon and HQP used together.

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    https://www.stereonet.co.uk/reviews/roon-1.8-review
     

    The new focus seems to be nice. 
     

    Here is I think a total overview of all news in 1.8

    https://darko.audio/2021/02/roon-1-8-its-almost-all-about-you/

     

    @The Computer Audiophile

    Where you not offered to be a beta tester ?

     

    https://twitteringmachines.com/roon-1-8-is-here-let-the-discovery-begin/

    Video in this link. Made by Roon. 

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    A small warning to all Roon users:

    If you update the Roon core before the control app is available, you will loose access to the Roon core from that device. 

     

    Danny Dali says:

    we will go live everywhere at the same time. this means the core and desktop apps, which we control, will go out at once worldwide.

    however, apple app store and google play store will roll out more slowly… some will get it right away, some countries will be delayed a bit (minutes to hours).

    if you take a core update before you your app store update is available, you will be Roon-less on that device.

    I see the alternative reasoning, but I don’t consider “holding back core updates” a viable option, so it’s not something I would recommend.

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    20 hours ago, ASRMichael said:

    Euphony had free 30 days trial. Put onto usb stick & try for yourself.

     

    in case anybody cares. I did just that and it will not boot on either of my Mac Minis. I contacted Euphony and they said sometimes it just doesn't work, they don't know why..  

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    3 hours ago, R1200CL said:

    A small warning to all Roon users:

    If you update the Roon core before the control app is available, you will loose access to the Roon core from that device. 

     

    Danny Dali says:

    we will go live everywhere at the same time. this means the core and desktop apps, which we control, will go out at once worldwide.

    however, apple app store and google play store will roll out more slowly… some will get it right away, some countries will be delayed a bit (minutes to hours).

    if you take a core update before you your app store update is available, you will be Roon-less on that device.

    I see the alternative reasoning, but I don’t consider “holding back core updates” a viable option, so it’s not something I would recommend.


    A small edit. 
     

    • Roon 1.7 apps will not work with a 1.8 Roon Core
    • Roon 1.8 apps will not work with a 1.7 Roon Core
    • Roon Bridge devices remain compatible with both 1.7 and 1.8
    • Roon Ready devices remain compatible with both 1.7 and 1.8

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    4 hours ago, bbosler said:

     

    in case anybody cares. I did just that and it will not boot on either of my Mac Minis. I contacted Euphony and they said sometimes it just doesn't work, they don't know why..  

     

    That's a bummer, which year minis are they?

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