Fully integrated vs segregated view of music assets
BluOS' design is such that one's music assets are clearly delineated/segregated based on the service they belong to. So for example, when wanting to listen to, search, or manage music, one must first select the service. This defines the context within which one operates. The practical consequence of this design choice is that there is no global view of one's music assets across all services. There is also no global search. Favourites are also bounded by the service they belong to. All of this is in stark contrast to platforms like roon where a completely different approach applies and one sees the totality of, and is able to operate on, all assets irrespective of the service they are part of.
I can see some advantages and disadvantages with both approaches. I am wondering though what others think about this. Do you prefer to work within, and be restricted by, the bounds of a particular context/service or would you prefer a more integrated/global approach?
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You may want to trial Roon which integrates one's music from all sources. It does come at a cost and requires additional hardware. Since Bluesound is Roon Ready it works very well.
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I have used Roon on and off over the years so I am quite familiar with it. As I mentioned in the post, I can see pros and cons in both approaches and I was just hoping to hear other users' perspectives on this.
Coming back to Roon vs BluOS, the biggest thing I miss in BluOS is the richness or user experience when it comes to consuming and managing music - things like extensive and seamlessly integrated metadata (including eye candy in the form of backdrops, artist pics, etc), very flexible searching and filtering functionality, etc. In comparison, BluOS Library capability is very minimal and music service integrations vary case by case. I think it's great that Bluesound devices are Roon Ready but should we need to use it if we already have an "audiophile" platform available to us? I quite like the idea of BluOS being the one stop shop. No question though that Roon takes it to another level in some areas.
So maybe that's another question - do you Roon or not (and why)?
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Well, as you say, there are advantages and disadvantages.
Actually, as I am not using any services other than my own music, I am quite happy with BluOS and don’t miss a full integration of other services. I use Qobuz sometimes to just listen into when an artist/album is unknown to me before actually buying or downloading the music, I can call my own then (very old-fashioned isn’t it 😃). When searching, I do so within my own library and would not wish the results to be mixed with the ones of an activated service. I don’t like the way such services interfere, are pushing you further and further, adding things you have not asked for, … With a few services activated or a network/service outage speed would probably be impacted as well.
Had I subscribed to any such services, I would probably see it differently and would want my queries to return all possible matches. I could imagine that I would want to exclude/include services by ticking/unticking them, though.
This would also work for users like me, wouldn’t it.
I have only a few playlists, many of which I manage outside BluOS, mostly to combine albums with different titles or artwork still belonging together. This is quite easy as I do not use external services. As far as I can see, you can create BluOS playlists containing items from various sources/services. The point is that I don’t like the way to manage BluOS playlists. Moving or deleting items is somewhat weird and cannot be done in a relaxed way without playing the list.
And yes, sometimes I miss the whole lot of information that would be available on Roon … but what I miss most is a small monitor window on the I-pad telling me what is currently playing. I am very often doing other things, not necessarily staring into the BluOS app all the time. Switching back and forth is a bit clumsy, the more some apps reset all your work as soon as you switch.0 -
So maybe that's another question - do you Roon or not (and why)?
I do use Roon and in general find the experience superior to BluOS. Most of my endpoints are Bluesound or NAD but not all. I use Roon's DSP, PEQ, headroom adjustment, Roon Radio, and Discover features regularly and find the additional cost well worth it. I understand it's not for everyone. YMMV.
| M33 | C658 | C368 | Flex x 3 | Pulse Mini | Pulse P 300 | Mac Mini + SMSL DAC to Anthem Amp |
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Hi Alex,
Agree with your suggestion for more global approach. Im coming from a setup with Logitech squeezebox connected to NAS with LMS. Easy to make playlist from different sources, idem favs.
Main disadvantage of new setup is that although i bought a NAD device its the BluOs team who in the end decide what (not) to develop.
X devices á fair amount = each vendor contributes a % to fund the dev team. We’ll generate enough ideas to keep m busy some time.Regards,
MartijnPs: did i mention the clock when device in rest 😉
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As a user of both lifetime Roon and BluOS, I say the OP is right about the richness of the magazine format of Roon but its best feature is DSP. But what was not said was there are numerous streaming platforms supported by the BluOS. Roon has three and I'm guessing of those three most only subscribe to one, so Roon only has to integrate your NAS and your preferred service, not the plethora supported by Bluesound. That integration would a huge undertaking. Also, buy a single Bluesound product and one gets a lifetime, curated and updated OS with a more than decent GUI, and not a monthly bill.
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Roon only has to integrate your NAS and your preferred service
Good points all. Roon has far fewer services to integrate & BluOS covers so much ground with a very useable product.
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