But maybe he speak about OTHER apps, not AS. Why do you think can’t be something wrong with the AS version for Windows, why you think it’s Microsoft fault?
The most blue screens (maybe in my life) I had with AS especially on the beginning and when tested various DSP. Usually my system is stable. Slow but stable.
Indeed the fact that you can’t stop updates without “hacks” or software like Winaero Tweaker is very bad, like they don’t respect you and your privacy. You can only pause updates officially. Also telemetry can’t be disabled too much with “normal” options. And if you tweak your Windows too much you can break for whatever reason Store/App Installer and BABAM! - you have to reinstall Windows, because you use AS. So you have to be very carreful - don’t touch (almost) anything.
What’s all the fuss about Windows ? Big Bad Microsoft ?
I started with 3.1 and have used every (? I think) version since including the dreaded Millennium, I take no special precautions , I just load software and off it goes. I haven’t paid for a Windows upgrade since V7 , just transferred licenses to new PCs as and when. I call that service…
I have not tried stuff like HQP, Fidelizer , JPlay etc just vanilla AV apps like JRiver, Roon & Audirvana
I am a Microsoft Certified developer (retired) so yes I am biased and stuck on that platform but I have no regrets . I gave up Apple after the Apple ][ and the debacle that was Apple Pascal (which had a built in Disc Eating subroutine). I am not brave enough to try Linux.
Famous quote …
“With Free Software you get what you pay for”
If and when I buy a NUC for music I will install Windows as it will give me freedom to run anything.
Out of interest , read this forum and Roon, most of the complaints come from souped up “non Std” Windows boxes and dodgy networking . The KISS principal does work 
Hi @MikeO ,
There are free trial versions of all these applications, so why won’t you try them and see what sound improvement you get and if it is worthy to use them with your system?
I use all three of them.
As for Linux, if you, being a developer, are reluctant to try this OS, what could I say?
Maybe I’ll try it as a side project when I’ll be retired and will have free time to study a new OS…
I will not buy a dedicated equipement for music, I think you can obtain a good result with only one computer if it’s good configured. But yes, this is a point for ne too, “freedom to run anything”. And I’m also not too brave 
I use Fidelizer (Free) but I’m not sure of his impact. I read on the Internet that many think the same. On a slow computer can have a whatever impact by reducing active processes and services. But on a good system with a good CPU and SSD (or better NvME) i don’t think. Even on my slow machine i’m not sure and I’m too lazy to compare.
I use it with a modern PC, and I hear the difference.
Talking about software in general, not specifically about AS. 
Hi !
If anyone tried lately to compare Audirvana Studio sound quality vs Roon ?
I am wondering what do you hear ?
Is it the same ?
If you can hear any significant improvement of AS vs Roon or vice versa ?
I was comparing one track playing over and over many times: Gil Evans La Nevada
Flac 44.1/16
I couldn’t tell which software sounded better.
What I can tell is that I love Roon radio when is playing similar tracks after album is completed.
I think Roon improved a lot that algorithm that is doing search for similar tracks.
What is your experience comparing SQ ?
I’ve tried Audirvana 3.5, Audirvana studio and Roon. Couldn’t hear any difference in term of sound quality and it’s all down to UI and features.
I couldn’t agree with you more ! 
And price.
I have effectively 3 discrete systems feeding my Audiolab M-DAC as a headphone amp both via co-ax.
One feeds a RPi/DigiOne with Riopeee fed from Roon
The other 2 a Cambridge Audio CXN (V1) from either JRiver or AS
They all feed a pair of Sennheiser HD800 . I have really no speaker system just a couple of soundbars and Bluetooth speakers which are not resolving enough to count.
There is a slight level difference between the 2 systems but with 3 digital sources I hear no obvious differences once volume is levelled. The caveat is I am 71 so my hearing is pretty shot, but I still think you could spot gross differences.
It’s quite embarrassing that the CXN does outperform the RPi despite a x20 price difference
If I were to pick one from the other. The UI, Roon wins , customisation JRiver wins. Unfortunately AS comes a sad 3rd , I have subscribed so as to give AS a decent try but I am afraid it rarely makes the cut of the three.
Price for value I would say. For example the Audirvana studio is slightly cheaper but miles behind in terms of UI and features. If I had to pick one for subscription that would be roon. Overall I like Audirvāna 3.5 but since this is not supported anymore can’t be considered.
@sandsOfArrakis has a strong argument. He says that for the price of a single Roon subscription, he gets two AS subscriptions. One for his Mac and one for his PC. So he plans to give away Roon, because AS is cheaper.
In addition, he says that AS has more radios.
Did the math and it doesn’t stack up. Also one is working and the other guy me is kind of working
It doesn’t make any sense to compare AS to Roon. You just fool yourself.
AS is way too expensive at this moment. It has to grow substantially to justify a subscription price of 70 €.
@sandsOfArrakis is correct.
$50 for a discounted AS + $70 for a second subscription = $120 for two subscriptions. As much as a single subscription for Roon that is at $120.
For the price of one Roon you get two Audirvana.
What would be a reasonable price, according to you?
Correct. And if I should decide to extend both subscriptions next year it will be only €20 more expensive compared to a single Roon subscription.