JPLAY vs Roon

[Nick B]

I have been a Roon user since 2016. I took a chance on the lifetime membership back then and it's worked out well. I have certainly had some issues, partly because I was wifi for quite a while and Roon's software has had issues too. The Roon core is on my Mac desktop and has been quite stable for a while. Maybe being owned by Harman International more recently has helped things. Certainly getting a TP Link mesh router system has helped and I am now hard wired to the Holo Audio Red streamer. I am going to stay away from wireless streaming, antennas etc.

I have been aware of JPLAY and owner Marcin Ostapowicz for a while. His JCAT products are high end. Mostly unaffordable for me and often mentioned in circles like the What's Best Forum. Interesting reading and seeing what those guys talk about and buy. Hey, if you've got the money, and they're as passionate about music as we are.

I tried JPLAY briefly on trial last year and didn't care for it. It doesn't use a core like Roon, so I could only have it on one device. I had all my playlists, favorites etc on Roon. But..... our Jack D brought JPLAY up again as did Cameron, the guy who has been making some cables for me. I had heard that JPLAY sounds better than Roon. But how could that be true? JPLAY is just a remote that controls music selection from Qobuz and Tidal. The difference, though, is clear. With Roon, I can hear deep into the soundstage. With JPLAY I can as well AND clearly and cleanly hear what is being presented wayyy back there. Certainly the iFi LAN iSilencer and iFi LAN iPurifier have helped tremendously. A terrific bargain for both at slightly less than $400. It's great getting rid of as much noise as possible.

Here's what the JPLAY website says....
Silent network. Dramatically better sound quality.
JPLAY minimizes the network traffic between the app and the audio endpoint to absolute minimum assuring the lowest possible network noise and, as a result, the best sound quality. Other hi-fi apps maintain high network utilization causing unwanted noise harmful for sound quality.

JPLAY communicates easily with the Holo Red streamer. It's easy to switch back and forth between Roon and JPLAY. Just a matter of quickly and easily changing a couple of settings on the Red. JPLAY is only $50 a year and $200 for lifetime.  I jumped on the lifetime price and the presentation nowadays is stunning. JPLAY is certainly worth a free spin for a couple of weeks if you're curious.

[ejk]

I'm going to look into this as I saw they have a Windows version where Lumin does not have, and I like using my laptop for my streamer vs phone or tablet

[ejk]

Well now what? This is all I get

[Nick B]

Well now what? This is all I get

Can't help on that. Gave up on Windows over 10 years ago. JPLAY has a forum and you can try and send Marcin an email too.

But if you can get it working, it may be worth the effort!