Roon changes the music

Since I have a new toy in AI and want to play with it, it gave the following caveat which may also explain different experiences:

if Qobuz Connect ultimately proves preferable to you, it doesn't necessarily mean Roon is "doing something wrong." It may simply mean that the Nagra's own streaming implementation is optimized to work most naturally with its native control path. That's a perfectly plausible outcome and one that's specific to your combination of hardware, software, and listening preferences—not necessarily a universal verdict on either platform.

The Nagra Streamer uses a proprietary fiberoptic cable to connect to the Playback Designs MPD-8. I do not think I can create a better signal path.

I had the lower cost version of the top end PlayBack Designs steamer called STREAM-IF. I compared it side-by-side to the Lumin X1 streamer and the older version of the Sonore OpticalRendu. They all sounded great but different which was very interesting to me since you would have thought a streamer would not sound different.

I never owned a PBD DAC (changed plans) but the STREAM-IF streamer was brilliant using SPDIF, as good as the fibre optic Lumin X1 and the OpticalRendu. Very impressed by the PBD streamer which I assume is even better with PLINK fibre.

BTW- yesterday my friend sent me a photo of the EMM top end DAC sitting in his house. He asked me if I wanted to hear it at my house. I am kind of scared to bring home a $33k DAC to my chaotic household. I have heard the PBD MPD-8 DAC, and this EMM is a direct competitor.

Dedicated streamer using native software for Qobuz/ Tidal beats Roon anyday. My observations. 

@mclinnguy I’ve been streaming for almost 20 years already and Roon is not my first fling.  Also I’ve  been around and pretty much heard it all. 
 

FWIW. Everyone has an opinion. 

I prefer Tidal as well. To me, in most cases, it sounds better than Qobuz. 

That might contradict the experience of some—or even many—including my own. However, the most important thing is that if Qobuz isn't working reliably for you, then switching to another platform becomes necessary. It is what it is.