Roon ARC User Reviews

Roon ARC

Roon Labs LLC

Music

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The missing piece
This was the only thing roon was missing and remote app to listen to your library outside your network and is finally here, this is amazing!.
Rakoon25
2 years ago
Out of home connection is spotty, no MQA and iPad is awful
Tried out of home connection once with the first software release, and was unable to connect, despite my having a UPnP router and it showing that it was reachable. Haven’t tried it with the second release, will do so and report back.

There is no dedicated iPad app, so you’re stuck with the low-res limited window view using the iPhone application on your tablet. Perhaps another iPadOS version will be forthcoming but for now this is really an iPhone based app.

I wouldn’t bother with this unless you use Qobuz, because Roon didn’t pursue the MQA first unfold for Tidal and you’ll be stuck with 48khz rendering maximum, even if you use an external DAC attached to your phone (there’s no MQA passthrough). 😡
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sklemow
2 years ago
You need to be an IT Cybersecurity consultant to set this up
It’s not made for most music enthusiasts. Be prepared to spend hours working with your carrier and diggin through useless threads on Reddit to find out how to configure it. I gave up after 2 hours. My setup is going to be common. It’s an AT&T Arris gateway which doesn’t support port forwarding. Attached to it is an Apple time capsule. I’ve tried enabling NAT with no success. It just keeps saying their is some conflict and gives the explanation in the most technical way that only a person with Cisco certifications would understand.
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Wrxified
2 years ago
Much needed functionality, but there is fine print. At best, this is pretty shady of Roon.
So, I adore Roon. I can’t say enough good things about them.

Roon ARC is certainly a much needed addition to Roon’s functionality, but there is one big “fine print” factor that they are leaving out from its marketing: Your core needs to remain on and connected, always. And if you, like me, can’t shell out the $$$ for a Nucleus or other external core, this means that your core is, by default, your personal computer. So at best, your computer needs to remain awake and connected, with the Roon app open while you are about doing your business—and at worst, this means that using Roon ARC while driving to work, traveling, etc., is a near impossibility, because your core may be tucked away in a computer bag. So, if you take your computer with you while you travel, and can’t afford a pricey core, this app cannot function nearly as advertised.

The limitation makes sense, and it’s all logical, but it falls short of the “Listen to your entire library anywhere, without compromise” claim that Roon is making with this rollout, *especially* when—as I suspect—the majority of users simply use their personal computer as a core. Yes, you can download individual albums, but this is nothing new for smartphone users.

The fanfare around this rollout and convenient omission/burying of this key limitation leads me to suspect that, in part, Roon is banking on this to be a boon to their Nucleus sales. Loyal users like me, and potential customers who think they just need to purchase a subscription to access these features, get excited for something that they won’t actually be able to enjoy as advertised without spending $1,459 on a Nucleus, or doing something DIY.

It’s not what I expect from Roon. The software works well, and it provides much needed features, but I can’t help but feel a little swindled. Consumers are tired of being promised features that lead to just more hidden fees and expenses, and with this rollout, Roon is flirting with that tactic. They should be wise to be wary of the impression that creates on both loyal and potential customers.
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alseenv
2 years ago
Huzzah!
This is great. My Roon library. Everywhere.
jasonjgrich
2 years ago