Replacing Roon - What Should I get?

Three things under user control that I am finding helps optimize Roon performance.

1)  run on host that provides adequate headroom for CPU and memory

2)  I use 2G wifi with extenders exclusively. I do not have MESH wifi but that is probably preferable.  4G may be better in some cases with no wall or other barriers where a strong connection can be made and retained.    A strong reliable connection either way is key! Roon recommends a wired connection to core server for best results, but I have found over several years that wifi done right can work well if needed.

3) My PC running ROon core was running quite warm.  I bought an external usb cooling fan ($14 on Amazon) and that seems to have helped the CPU (and hence also Roon) performance and reliability noticeably.

4) Run on a device that provides a system monitor and use it to monitor CPU, memory, disk and network performance.  Any of these can bottleneck overall performance with any streaming application software, not just Roon, but Roon does a lot and may need more than many streaming apps.  I have not observed memory leaks specifically being a problem with Roon core to-date but cannot say conclusively.

Roon also provided an update earlier this week that may or may not have helped as well.

I used PLEX a few years back prior to Roon.  Squeeze system prior to that.    PLex was much lighter weight and not as resource intensive, but  Roon blew it away at least at CD resolution in regards to sound quality.  Plus I use DSP regularly as needed to tweak the sound based on room acoustics and to some degree personal preference.  THose who use Roon but are afraid of using the DSP are missing out on the ultimate tweak and are way more likely to stay on the hifi gear merry go round for the long term and at great cost.   

I still buy new gear, but increasingly it is just to try different things, not because I expect any major improvements in sound quality.  It is already the best I have ever had and competitive with what I hear at shows, but costs way less than most.  

Good things do not always come easily!

@marcin_gps 

Thank you for helping me out with my issues. As Marcin outlined it is the network and renderer where these dropouts, stops, errors are happening. In my case, Marcin helped me configure my Sonore OpticalRendu settings and now 100% stable using JPlay. I wish I would have reached out sooner. He was quick to respond, usually overnight due to time zone differences. He was very clear and concise. Bravo! Best sounding player in my opinion. 

@marcin_gps interesting as I see a Tidal MQA version available in Roon. It streams as MQA using Roon. 

 

@audphile1 

I see that you are using the Meitner MA3i. I am buying one next week. I am a fan of JPlay so I look forward to following your posts. I don’t have plans on using Roon. I trialed it for the last three years and always felt that the sound quality took a step back. Interesting observation about the MQA titles not showing up and also the comment that MQA sounds great through the MA3i. I look forward to experimenting. 

@rrboogie Meitner’s a very good DAC. 

As to jplay I need more time with it. It sounds different than Roon, yes, but what sounds best, the jury is still out