Roon, is it just me?

[Mike]

I have been a big fan of Roon since being a beta tester way back when. But I have to say, of late, the recent software updates to Roon has become increasingly buggy. From music playback just stopping for no reason, to the constant hangups and hiccups and lockups
.
I love the Roon interface and the search capabilities are second to none, but these constant Roon hang ups are really starting to frustrate me. We cannot effectively do a demo when we encounter these problems.

We are forever rebooting the Nucleus+ in the store because it just hangs. It didn't use to do that and I'm not sure if it has to do with the recent upgrades/updates or what?

Has anyone found it to be increasingly buggy lately? I sure hope they do fix it. For now, I'll stick with the Lumin app and Aurender apps. Less is more.

[Oly]

I haven’t had any problems with my Roon setup, although I have a very basic configuration. I have both Roon core and music storage running on a Mac Mini. I don’t do any upsampling and use Tidal for streaming. Most of the time I use only a single playback device but occasionally have three. Perhaps my lack of problems is related to my simplistic utilization of Roon.

[Audio 1]

I have not noticed any issues with Roon or had to reboot the core recently.

[Alpinist]

I have been a big fan of Roon since being a beta tester way back when. But I have to say, of late, the recent software updates to Roon has become increasingly buggy. From music playback just stopping for no reason, to the constant hangups and hiccups and lockups
.
I love the Roon interface and the search capabilities are second to none, but these constant Roon hang ups are really starting to frustrate me. We cannot effectively do a demo when we encounter these problems.

We are forever rebooting the Nucleus+ in the store because it just hangs. It didn't use to do that and I'm not sure if it has to do with the recent upgrades/updates or what?

Has anyone found it to be increasingly buggy lately? I sure hope they do fix it. For now, I'll stick with the Lumin app and Aurender apps. Less is more.

Yes, many software updates lately. The giveaway that there’s been an update is when the Roon volume control disappears. It has not been a big problem for me. First, I power off and then power on my Roon Nucleus Plus. Then I power off and then power on my Select DAC. That usually solves the problem. Sometimes I need to sign on to Tidal again too.

Ken

[mep]

I have zero issues with Roon. Like some others here, my digital setup is straightforward and simple. I don’t have any digital dingleberries in my digital rig.

[aKnyght]

i have also not experienced those or any other issues with roon performance. however, my implementation is (by design) minimalist...

modem --> router --> fmc --> transport [roon core] --> usb dac

local file storage is on the transport.

[asindc]

No problems here.

[Jfboynton]

I have those exact issues that you are describing Mike.
As you know, I got my Nucleus+ fairly recently and had to migrate the core from my PC to the Nucleus+.
I assumed the issues were about something I had done wrong but reading your description leaves me thinking it may be the software.

[Randy Myers]

Wondering if it is the Nucleus having an issue?

I have not experienced any issues what so ever. I have all files stored locally on my machine and have Roon handing off to HQPlayer to render the music.

[nicoff]

No problems here either and I have a more complex set up: running Roon and HQP (upsampling all to DSD512 and using machine intensive filters plus DSP correction) on a Windows 10 PC.

I do not have automatic updates activated. That allows me to pick when I want to do the updates. I have had issues with automatic updates in the past I much prefer to update manually when I know that any wrinkles of the newest version have been ironed out.

Btw, the recent improvements of Roon Radio are noticeable. The music recommendations have improved.

[nicoff]

Wondering if it is the Nucleus having an issue?
....

Good point!

[aKnyght]

...I do not have automatic updates activated. That allows me to pick when I want to do the updates. I have had issues with automatic updates in the past I much prefer to update manually when I know that any wrinkles of the newest version have been ironed out.

Btw, the recent improvements of Roon Radio are noticeable. The music recommendations have improved.

+1

i also do not enable automatic updates. before installing the update, i always go to the roon community site to see if there are any issues others are experiencing.

imo, at this point roon has the best recommendation engine of any streaming service -- audio or video.

[roncagg]

I often have to reboot my sonictransporter after a Roon update because the Tidal login won’t work until I do!

[Mike]

For me, it’s buggy as hell at home and in the store lately and I have removed any and all “gizmos”. Same buggy stuff. Meanwhile the Lumin and Aurender apps run flawlessly.


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[still-one]

Haven't had a single issue or reboot with Roon in a long. long time. It took me a long time to get all of my devices working together. The upgrade to the fiber optic connection from my switch to the dCS Upsampler was the final piece of the puzzle.

[NekoAudio]

We haven't had any problems. Roon Core is running on an Intel NUC dedicated to A/V duties, and Roon clients are running on iPads, iPhones, and iMacs. We have multiple Roon Ready and AirPlay-enabled endpoints active. Not doing anything fancy in Roon except some PEQ for headphones.

[Kingsrule]

My clients (iPAD, iPhone and MacBook Pro) have been slow for months...really getting to be a drag.

[Watchdog507]

I’m running ROON ROCK on an Intel NUC in a fanless case with a large library and it’s completely solid. No issues whatsoever. A lot of ROON issues could be traced back to network problems in the past. This iteration has been very stable.

[Tubes]

Zero problems for me with my Nucleus. The one time I thought I was having a problem, it turned out to be my router; I rebooted it and I was good to go.

[Elberoth]

I have zero issues with Roon. I use it everyday.

[VT Skier]

Let's divide this between software and hardware, especially for those of you running Roon on "NUC"s and other machines.

For software, I think Roon seems to work fairly well, and it sounds very good when it is working well. And Roon support is also, generally, pretty good, if you don't mind waiting hours for answers, or even overnight, as is typical in the software world.

For hardware, I have a Nucleus Plus, and I call it the "Trabant". It stops playing multiple times each day, and often disappears completely from my network. All other network devices function normally. Without issue. All are brand new, including the Trabant. When it disappears, sometimes it reappears when I turn it off/on, but sometimes not. Then it reappears hours, or a day later. Rebooting the router and other devices makes no difference.

Hardware support, for this $3,100 product (including the software subscription), is the same as for the software -- meaning you post your issue on the Roon forum, and then wait for hours, or up to a day to see if someone responds with anything helpful. For me, this has been going on since my purchase, over four months now.

In their "warranty", Roon only offers an email address for customers requesting service: no phone number, and no mailing or physical address. When I email the provided address, and request an RMA, describing my long-standing problems, I get a response telling me to post on their forum. And I have been told, multiple times, that they offer no phone support. My RMA request has been ignored. Multiple times.

So, basically, they won't take back their machine for service, but expect me to pick up a wrench and fix my own car. Sadly, I'm no mechanic. And if that's the deal, fine, but state that up front so the buyer can beware.

Contrast this with an Aurender I purchased from Mike years ago. That also had a problem in the beginning, and Aurender immediately contacted me, sent me an RMA, paid shipping both ways, fixed the problem, and my X100L has worked flawlessly ever since. Flawlessly. Day after day for over six years now.

My Roon Trabant has never worked flawlessly for three days in a row.

My advice to anyone considering Roon: get the software, run it on any hardware other than something Roon offers. Or buy it directly from Roon so that you can ship it back to them and dispute the charge with your credit card company when it doesn't work properly. I bought it from a dealer I know well and like, and now he's stuck in the middle.

Well, not stuck in the middle, but he graciously offered to get involved when I recently told him about my problems. Thanks again Mike. I didn't want to burden him because none of this is his fault.

From now on, I will look closely at the warranty terms for any product I buy in this hobby. If there's no phone number, I'll get something else. And you should too.

[Randy Myers]

Sorry that you are having such an issue. I love Roon, but I use only their software, not their hardware. I have for years. I have never had an issue what so ever.

I spoke with the folks are Roon a few times a couple years ago and they seemed very good and very caring. Maybe things have changed.

[VT Skier]

I can't really speak to subjective assessments like "caring" or "good". The person responding to my issues on their support site has been courteous, but my Trabant's issues continue, unresolved.

I would be happy to speak with Roon personnel, by phone or otherwise, if ever afforded that opportunity.

I can only report objective facts, as I've done above. Caveat emptor with respect to Roon hardware products.

[aKnyght]

Wondering if it is the Nucleus having an issue?...

thus far, the four people reporting problems are all using a nucleus.

interestingly though, no one using the exact same software, roon ROCK, but on a "DIY nucleus" such as an intel NUC or a custom build is reporting any similar problems.

small sample size and maybe / probably a coincidence... but, at least worth considering. perhaps, something as simple as the nucleus needs to have the BIOS updated? just thinking out loud here.

[Mike]

thus far, the four people reporting problems are all using a nucleus.

interestingly though, no one using the exact same software, roon ROCK, but on a "DIY nucleus" such as an intel NUC or a custom build is reporting any similar problems.

small sample size and maybe / probably a coincidence... but, at least worth considering. perhaps, something as simple as the nucleus needs to have the BIOS updated? just thinking out loud here.

Well said. Love Roon’s features, but for sonics Lumin and Aurender apps sound better to me anyway and I don’t have the issues.


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[nicoff]

Thinking aloud here: if a nucleus cost $3k or say $2.5k, perhaps folks should consider getting a full fledged more powerful machine for about the same money.

[Kuoppis]

I think Roon might require some TLC in system planning and specification, but if that’s done well it should be a smooth sail. (I know Mike, he knows himself around IT, it’s interesting he’s had issues.)

In my case, I studied some fora and user comments beforehand, and made sure my HW is up to the task. Especially memory is critical, I think the 4 GB in the Nucleus is too little. I do have 16 GB, and an SSD with 256 GB which serves as a temporary memory bank. I have a small business server configured as a NAS, pimped out with SSDs galore for RAM and temp memory. When there’s an automatic update I usually re-start it, but that’s it.

I also do have an Aurender sitting around idle, maybe I bring that to the summer house. I do like the Roon sound better, as it’s a bit more transparent.

Here’s a Positive Feedback review, where the non-IT-literate reviewer struggled at first, but then became a happy camper when issues were resolved.

https://positive-feedback.com/review...s-plus-server/

[Randy Myers]

I think the 4 GB in the Nucleus is too little.

Definitely agree. 4 GB is not enough. I also run 16 GB in my machine.

A beefier CPU also helps, and is required if you ever go to a PC based system and HQPlayer.

[Kuoppis]

Definitely agree. 4 GB is not enough. I also run 16 GB in my machine.

A beefier CPU also helps, and is required if you ever go to a PC based system and HQPlayer.

Yes, concur. Especially if you are doing any upsampling, that will require a lots of MIPS.

I do not upsample, but do nevertheless have a quad core processor in the NAS to keep things smooth.


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[still-one]

Definitely agree. 4 GB is not enough. I also run 16 GB in my machine.

A beefier CPU also helps, and is required if you ever go to a PC based system and HQPlayer.

Roon does not require a powerful machine to run Roon without issues. Once I worked out my network issues I haven't had a glitch with Roon is a long time using a Small Green Computer i5. It is Linux based with only 64GB drive for the Roon OS. I added a 2TB SSD for my music which I will never come close to filling as a regularly cull music. The unit will handle up to 450k tracks. It comes with HQ Player installed (no license) but if you are a heavy HQ Player user I would guess you would be better off with their i9 solution. Best part is there is no need for a keyboard, mouse or monitor.

[Kuoppis]

Roon does not require a powerful machine to run Roon without issues. Once I worked out my network issues I haven't had a glitch with Roon is a long time using a Small Green Computer i5. It is Linux based with only 64GB drive for the Roon OS. I added a 2TB SSD for my music which I will never come close to filling as a regularly cull music. The unit will handle up to 450k tracks. It comes with HQ Player installed (no license) but if you are a heavy HQ Player user I would guess you would be better off with their i9 solution. Best part is there is no need for a keyboard, mouse or monitor.

That’s correct, Roon does not. But media playback does require RAM. If you e.g. play some DSD albums, one track is easily 1GB. Or alternatively upsampling eats MIPS.


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[crwilli]

No issues with ROON. Only use their software.

[Randy Myers]

Roon does not require a powerful machine to run Roon without issues. Once I worked out my network issues I haven't had a glitch with Roon is a long time using a Small Green Computer i5. It is Linux based with only 64GB drive for the Roon OS. I added a 2TB SSD for my music which I will never come close to filling as a regularly cull music. The unit will handle up to 450k tracks. It comes with HQ Player installed (no license) but if you are a heavy HQ Player user I would guess you would be better off with their i9 solution. Best part is there is no need for a keyboard, mouse or monitor.

I believe you would find that this HQPlayer is not the standard version that can work with Roon. It is a lite stand along version using their interface, or so it was on the several I configured at W4S. Their OS, software configuration, etc. came from SGC and was Linyx also.

If you are a heavy HQPlayer user you would want a Windows machine running a good i7 (mine is an 8-core machine) with at least 16 GB RAM. Roon is not that hardware crippling, but 4 GB RAM is not enough. Up-sampling does start to need a higher level machine.

[still-one]

That’s correct, Roon does not. But media playback does require RAM. If you e.g. play some DSD albums, one track is easily 1GB. Or alternatively upsampling eats MIPS.


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I have several DSD albums (none higher than 128) that play without issue. Roon is just feeding to to my DAC.

[still-one]

I believe you would find that this HQPlayer is not the standard version that can work with Roon. It is a lite stand along version using their interface, or so it was on the several I configured at W4S. Their OS, software configuration, etc. came from SGC and was Linyx also.

If you are a heavy HQPlayer user you would want a Windows machine running a good i7 (mine is an 8-core machine) with at least 16 GB RAM. Roon is not that hardware crippling, but 4 GB RAM is not enough. Up-sampling does start to need a higher level machine.

As I indicated they have a i9 solution if you are a heavy HQ Player user but then I have no need for it.

There is nothing that would ever get me to use a Windows machine again.

[MtnHam]

Roon is working very well for me, no problems. I have my Nucleus+ in front of my Lumin, and much prefer it to the Lumin app which gives me frequent problems. And, I much prefer the functionality and ease of Roon, as well as it's many additional features.

An additional note: I move my Nucleus+ between my city and country systems so as to enjoy it in both locations without having the expense of two subscriptions. It works well at both locations without problems.

[Kingsrule]

Update 528 is much faster on my clients....

[Randy Myers]

There is nothing that would ever get me to use a Windows machine again.

Everyone has their own needs, of course, and certainly to each their own. I also have no need for a Keyboard, Mouse, or Monitor to be hooked to my machine. I rarely use attached monitors, etc., to the servers that I use at work; haven't for many years.

I would never use an Apple machine and although I have nothing against it I am not a fan of Linux. Not a huge fan of open source. But, since I really love DSD, the higher the better, a Windows machine is the only way, in my view and certainly for my DAC. I up-sample everything to DSD512!

[Alpinist]

I run the Roon Nucleus Plus in my network. I use the Select II DAC with Renderer V2 Digital Input Module. I’ve had this setup for over a year and overall there have been very few glitches. There have been a few software updates lately, which required rebooting to implement. Once that was completed, it was smooth sailing. I am a huge fan of Roon and love the sound quality and functionality.

Ken

[mep]

Thinking aloud here: if a nucleus cost $3k or say $2.5k, perhaps folks should consider getting a full fledged more powerful machine for about the same money.

First of all, I am running a Roon Nucleus+ and I have zero problems with the software or hardware. I also don’t want a “full fledged more powerful machine. The Nucleus+ was purpose built to run Roon on Linux software in a very small fanless enclosure. There is not an audio card or a video card built on the motherboard. I’m glad I’m not running a Windows based server that is running two gabillion apps in the background.

[nicoff]

First of all, I am running a Roon Nucleus+ and I have zero problems with the software or hardware. I also don’t want a “full fledged more powerful machine. The Nucleus+ was purpose built to run Roon on Linux software in a very small fanless enclosure. There is not an audio card or a video card built on the motherboard. I’m glad I’m not running a Windows based server that is running two gabillion apps in the background.

I fully understand. You picked hardware that fully meets your needs.

In my case, I wanted to run HQP (including filters and DSP) and be able to upsample everything to DSD512. Nucleus can’t do that. I needed a computer with high computing capacity and a Windows PC was the only choice. By the way, I turned off programs/apps so that nothing that I don’t want is running in the background. So my windows machine is a dedicated music device (unless I want to make it a gaming machine with VR capabilities which it can be).

[eziggy]

I thought it was just me. I am running Roon server software on an iMac Pro and the music will stop playing randomly. Sometime won’t even play, the bar will keep going from left to right and not okay the song.

iMac software is also very buggy sometimes cannot go back to playlist from track info.

Happens on different playback devices. Started after the last couple of updates.


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[Jfboynton]

With spending more time at home this weekend due to Coronavirus, Roon is basically not working. What a bummer.

[mep]

With spending more time at home this weekend due to Coronavirus, Roon is basically not working. What a bummer.

Can you describe your digital rig?

[Jfboynton]

Can you describe your digital rig?

Sure, I have a few different options.
CH Precision C1 DAC, Lumin S1 & Lumin M1.
All are Roon ready & my Nucleus+ fronts them all.

[mep]

Sure, I have a few different options.
CH Precision C1 DAC, Lumin S1 & Lumin M1.
All are Roon ready & my Nucleus+ fronts them all.

How are you connecting the Roon Nucleus+ to your DACs?

[Rubytuesday]

Running an Intel NUC and haven’t had a problem with Roon on my LUMIN T2.


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[Mike]

John, try the Lumin software. Stable and sounds better IMO.


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[wklie]

With spending more time at home this weekend due to Coronavirus, Roon is basically not working. What a bummer.

Please restart your Roon Core machine and all Roon endpoints.

If that does not work, please power cycle everything, starting from the router.

[wklie]

I thought it was just me. I am running Roon server software on an iMac Pro and the music will stop playing randomly. Sometime won’t even play, the bar will keep going from left to right and not okay the song.

There are various open Mac issue reports in Roon forum. You may start a thread there for Roon support and hope it gets resolved, or you may purchase a new machine for Roon Core, e.g. NUC8i7BEH m.2 128GB SSD 8GB RAM in Akasa Plato X8 fanless case for running Roon ROCK.