Streamer Software

I don’t find Roon to be rock steady so I also use the native Kazoo app on my Linn DSM systems. Like most of these software titles they just give you a way to browse Radio TuneIn stations, Tidal, Qobuz, etc, plus access to your own library (assuming you have a server system for same)...

Some streamers include their own software while others don’t. Some will allow you to use software built for other manufacturers. 
Some users like free or cheap $10 software systems that retain a simple shareware interface. Others demand a fully developed polished system that will come with the more expensive hardware box. Companies like Linn and Lumin offer well made boxes with solid components and well maintained software packages. Others like to build basic Pi projects with custom cases.

Not a one size fits arena obviously...

@jksec,

Roon has a lot of great features that the other software platforms lack. Roon radio is a killer feature. If you enjoy reading the liner notes on a vinyl record cover then you will like Roon.

Roon is complicated. It is built to serve a ton of different platforms, pulls in more offsite info, needs a core, uses endpoints, changes sound, etc, etc. My dealer, who loves Roon, advised me to never be 100% reliant on Roon. I think this is good advice. I use SONOS, Linn Kazoo and on accassion the Lumin app (which works with Linn streamers). I tried the newer Linn app but found it does nothing that Kazoo does not. I also subscribe to Roon thinking I would fully adopt it. I really haven’t. I have two homes six hours apart. To use Roon at both locations I need to bring my MacBook Pro with me as it runs the Roon Core. I would get better SQ running Roon on dedicated device like the Nucleus, a custom NUC or a Innious server. But I would need to have two such boxes to serve both locations. So far I keep avoiding making that level of commitment to Roon. Innous might be developing a Roon “like” alternative without a monthly fee, so I wait.
I don’t use a ripped music archive. I stream Tidal, Qobuz and TuneIn radio. The Linn Kazoo app has shortcut “Pins” for all my services and favorite radio stations. It runs on all our iPads and phones. Once   in awhile it will fail to realize we have moved locations and you get an endless spinning “waiting for room” message. A quick reboot of the Linn DSM fixes that though.