Why bitwerk
People who look at bitwerk usually know Roon, Bluesound, WiiM or moOde. They are good products, and each solves a different problem. This page says where bitwerk differs and where one of them is the better choice for you.
The short version
Section titled “The short version”- Roon is music software: a large library experience with rich metadata, running on a computer or server you provide, with a paid subscription.
- Bluesound and WiiM build streamers around their own app, made first for streaming services, with multi-room in their own families.
- moOde is free player software that you install on a small computer and set up yourself, with a long list of streaming services, Qobuz Connect among them.
- bitwerk is hardware and software from one maker, built around your own library: no server to run, no subscription, and it shows in every room whether it plays bit-perfect.
Side by side
Section titled “Side by side”| Compared | bitwerk | Roon | Bluesound | WiiM | moOde |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Players with the library built in | Software on your computer or server | Streamers with the BluOS app | Streamers with the WiiM Home app | Free software you install and set up yourself |
| Subscription | None | Yes, yearly or lifetime | None for the app | None for the app | None |
| Separate server or computer | Not needed | Needed (the Roon Core) | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed |
| Qobuz | No | In the Roon app | Yes, in the BluOS app | Yes, in the WiiM Home app | Yes, also Qobuz Connect |
| DSD | Native or DoP up to DSD512 | Depends on the player | Depends on the model | Converted to PCM (WiiM Ultra) | Depends on the DAC |
| Highest PCM rate | 384 kHz / 32-bit | Depends on the player | 192 kHz / 24-bit | 192 kHz / 24-bit (WiiM Ultra) | Depends on the DAC |
Based on the makers’ published information at the time of writing, for current models; features change with updates. If something here is out of date, tell us and we correct it.
bitwerk and Qobuz Connect
Section titled “bitwerk and Qobuz Connect”bitwerk does not play Qobuz, neither from the Qobuz app (Qobuz Connect) nor from its own library view. It plays your own files, internet radio in lossless FLAC and Spotify. If Qobuz is your main source, moOde, Bluesound or WiiM play it from the Qobuz app now, and we would rather say so than leave you guessing.
When another product is the better choice
Section titled “When another product is the better choice”- You mostly stream from TIDAL, Qobuz or Apple Music: Bluesound and WiiM integrate more services.
- You like to build and tune it yourself: moOde is free and does a lot.
- You want the richest library browsing with artist stories and credits across many brands of players: Roon does that best.
- You want a streamer now, at an entry price: bitwerk devices are built to order in small batches, not for an entry price.
When bitwerk is the better choice
Section titled “When bitwerk is the better choice”- Your own library comes first, from a drive in the box, and you want no computer to keep running.
- You want proof, not a promise, that the DAC gets the file untouched, in every room.
- You want no subscription and no account, and devices that keep playing without us: the software is open source and nothing depends on a cloud.
- Studios, venues and listening rooms: A/B comparison with loudness matching, a monitor controller, room correction and control from a Stream Deck or OSC faders.
Not sure which fits?
Tell us how you play music today and in which rooms. We answer honestly, even when the answer is another product.