Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Hardware with Roon Application Roon for multi-zone?

I currently run Sooloos in 7 zones, and am working to add 2 more... 3 zones have Meridian DSP's, the remainder of zones are passive speakers... At times I link the zones when we entertain, I believe the distributor handles this capability.

Also love the Tidal/Rhapsody integration, we use it all the time... even my wife has mastered it, this alone has made the project a home run!

I noted that I have an endpoint issue (update requirement). I also realize my question may be far down the (Roon roadmap) list, to me the iOS app (I have 4 fixed iPads on wall to control discrete zones, with 5 additional "floaters" that also control) needs to be released for me to begin seriously considering the switch...

But... does Roonlabs plan on supplanting Sooloos for the type of multi-zone deployment with requirements such as mine? The multi-zone capabilities of Sooloos (given the fact that I am normalizing volume when linking zones between DSP and passive speakers) is decent. Not great, but I can work with it... If Roon could be on par but better yet improve this, then I would be thrilled.

I love my system overall, but not interested in switching over until/unless I could make a clean cut and utilize Roon fully given my requirements.

Overall I must also note that this forum is truly impressive, the planning and execution of my project would not have been realized without the contributions located in this unique community.

Hi,

Roon supports multi-zones just fine, however there is a limitation when linking them together. Roon only supports the linking of similar devices .... thus the linked endpoints must be for example all Meridian or all AirPlay.

So, if in your system all your endpoints are Meridian/Sooloos then you're fine as Roon will allow you to link them.

I don't recall anything special across zone volume levelling in Roon, but provide you have calibrated your analogue zones to be aligned with you DSP zone you should be fine.

One caveat; DSP speakers have a latency of 7.5ms, your analogue speaker will be a lot less than this ... but again it can't be an worse with Roon vs. Sooloos.

The iOS app is at an advanced stage of alpha testing, it basis looks the same as the PC/Mac versions ... but it does require they later general if Apple devices to run it (IIRC: iPad Air, Air2, mini) that may be a consideration for you given your present investment in iPad devices.

To get more direct feedback from the Roon guys, try posting over on the Room forum ... I'm sure one of the guys will get back to you. And if there are features missing, there's also a Feature Request section.

Regards,
Carl

Roon recognizes AirPlay devices including those in many AV receivers/processors. I may have blown Zone 2 speakers/amps in a Denon AV receiver, which, in addition to the feed through my MS200, picked it up "Hot" as an AirPlay output. I say may have as I have avoided finding out for sure.

Appreciate feedback

I use the multi zone, but do it via a MC600. I think Roon is a real upgrade to Sooloos, as it's more interactive. The integration with Tidal is pretty slick, but it seems like they are still sorting some things out. The app seems to go all wacko on occasion. In a perfect world, I don't think an iPad or Android tablet is ideal. Rather, a dedicated touch screen (as they have suggest) is likely really ideal.

I would add that more multi zones seem to weigh more on processing power, so your central processor should be robust. Also, it sounds like you might have a central rack. You will need to set it up so that the Roon server PC never sleeps.

All good points, appreciate...

I have (upgrade) flexibility at each zone (for the dedicated touch screen experience) as well as at the rack. I do not need to be first mover on this, will monitor sentiment on this forum and Roon's. Roon will need to be as fast (or faster) than Sooloos, delivered on iOS, operate very stable, and be easy to use (link) in a multi-zone environment for me to switch. Looks like it is tracking very well...

I wish I had known this earlier. I have an MS200 which is connected to a Marantz processor which feeds second and third zones. The zones are always set for music from the MS200. On playing with Roon settings I managed to link the "room" zones with my ID40 card and took the MS200 out of the equation. Unaware of what I had "accomplished", when I next played something thru the ID40, the AirPlay zones on the Marantz for zone2 and the Denon AV receiver (which received Zone 3 output from the Marantz) came to life with full signal from the Marantz and Denon. Blew(I think) the zone 2 amps on the Denon, as the volume level thru to the mechanical wall control, was way too high.
I assume this is related to the above quoted comment about not mixing Meridian and Apple end points. Is there a place where this is discussed in detail? The last thing I was thinking about was downstream volume levels. I think I unchecked the MS200, and then checked the Denon and Marantz on the Roon settings, linking them with the ID40, just before this occurred.