18-Oct-2016, 18:54
(This post was last modified: 18-Oct-2016, 19:07 by Hifi_swlon.)
(18-Oct-2016, 17:46)GuillaumeB Wrote: Devialet will view ROON as a niche player that is set to make a fair bit of money through additional ROON subscriptions, given Devialet's large base of users. So I see a bit of a negotiation taking place behind the scenes there... and based on what we hear from ROON themselves very little is happening in this regard!
Guillaume
That's what I used to think but once RoonReady reaches critical mass - at least in terms of brand uptake - their hand will be forced a bit because I actually think people will buy based on it, and will give them a pretty hard time about the lack of it. Even reviewers seem to be falling in love with it, so it's not going to look great if reviews start emphasising the negatives of lack of RoonReady and the weakness of Spark more than they focus on the good aspects of the hardware. I think they're nearing critical mass, and to me Naim signifies a 'brands must have it' point since they were adamant they weren't supporting it, and from what I hear the Naim ecosystem is much better and had way more development hours than Spark.
I mean bundle Spark for free sure, because not everyone wants Roon, but to make it the only choice? I think that will devalue the Experts.
But of course that's my logic. But I think I might just get this one right. Question is like you say though - when? My guess is they ain't doin much chatting to Roon because they either don't have a prototype streamerboard, or they'll adapt an off the shelf one, in which case maybe the manufacturer takes the brunt of the work there?
All guesses right now.
Meanwhile the rendu will do its thing, but would love to see RoonReady in 2017.
Just to add, I'm not sure how niche Roon is now really. The last time they mentioned it they had a LOT of subscribers. It's likely to gain the largest user base of any audio software outside iTunes (or the streaming services).
>>> 1st Place Award: Devialet, last decades most disappointing technology purchase. <<<