I'm having a very good time with Audirvana. I play both local files and Tidal streams.
Pros:
Cons:
I'm also running Roon's 14-day trial right now, but I'll probably stick with Audirvana afterward. I have no need for Roon's networking capabilities, which I reckon are a big selling point. I like that it displays lyrics, but it doesn't display DR which is similarly important to me (and only displays EBU dynamic range for the whole album; Audirvana gives a track-by-track breakdown.) Granted, I can use the MAAT DR Meter to get DR values, but so can I google lyrics so let's call it a draw there. Roon is snappier with Tidal and allows for mixed playlists (local library + Tidal), but it doesn't let me segregate my library from Tidal (I can get Tidal only, but I can't get my library only.) I also dislike how it lists artists based on albums I favorited on Tidal; it should be based on my library plus artists I favorited on Tidal, not individual albums.
Bottom line, for what it costs, I expected Roon to blow my mind and it didn't—probably also because I have no use for one of its main features (networking.)
Pros:
- Sleek, easy-to-use interface.
- Enables you to segregate your local library from Tidal.
- Can measure and display both DR and EBU dynamic range for all your local tracks.
- Exclusive mode via WASAPI or ASIO with support for VST3 plugins for EQ or whatever other signal processing you may want.
Cons:
- Can't create playlists from your files and Tidal simultaneously; it's either/or.
- Can be laggy with Tidal, especially if it doesn't like a plugin you're using with it.
- Doesn't display lyrics for songs (though you can easily google those.)
- No networking capabilities (if you need them.)
I'm also running Roon's 14-day trial right now, but I'll probably stick with Audirvana afterward. I have no need for Roon's networking capabilities, which I reckon are a big selling point. I like that it displays lyrics, but it doesn't display DR which is similarly important to me (and only displays EBU dynamic range for the whole album; Audirvana gives a track-by-track breakdown.) Granted, I can use the MAAT DR Meter to get DR values, but so can I google lyrics so let's call it a draw there. Roon is snappier with Tidal and allows for mixed playlists (local library + Tidal), but it doesn't let me segregate my library from Tidal (I can get Tidal only, but I can't get my library only.) I also dislike how it lists artists based on albums I favorited on Tidal; it should be based on my library plus artists I favorited on Tidal, not individual albums.
Bottom line, for what it costs, I expected Roon to blow my mind and it didn't—probably also because I have no use for one of its main features (networking.)