Roon

Roon is a music playback ecosystem centered around a “Core” server that manages your library and streams audio to one or more players (“Outputs”) across your network. It unifies local music files with supported streaming services and presents your library with rich metadata and discovery tools.

Key Features

• Centralized Core that manages library indexing, metadata, and multi-room playback
• Rich artist/album credits, biographies, reviews, lyrics, and interconnected browsing (“music discovery”)
• Multi-room audio to many endpoints (Roon Ready, AirPlay, Chromecast, and other supported devices)
• High-resolution playback with bit-perfect output where supported
• DSP features (device-dependent/plan-dependent) such as EQ, upsampling, convolution, and headphone crossfeed
• Remote control apps for desktop and mobile to browse and control playback
• Zone grouping, synchronized playback, and per-zone signal path inspection

Use Cases

• Run a home music server that streams local hi-res files to multiple rooms
• Combine local library with streaming catalogs and explore music via credits and recommendations
• Centralize playback control for a mixed ecosystem of network streamers, PCs, and mobile devices

Limitations and Considerations

• Not an open-source project; Core and clients are proprietary and require a subscription/license
• Streaming service integration depends on Roon’s supported providers and their regional availability

Roon is best suited for users who want a single, metadata-rich library experience and synchronized playback across many devices. Its Core-based architecture makes it a powerful hub for whole-home audio and high-quality playback when paired with compatible endpoints.