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Post by novisnick on Jul 12, 2018 16:41:26 GMT -5
Im in search of a hi grade network player to place between my Mac Mini and Brooklyn DAC. I want something to run Roon & Tidal as well as sound as good as or as close to analog as possible. No Sonos or background music player but a player that will put me in the room as the group plays.
Open to any and all suggestions.
Im putting my HT system on hold as it seems the newer products are way down the line.
Thanks all
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jul 12, 2018 17:13:22 GMT -5
I am using Sonore Ultrarendu in one system and an Elac Discovery as an endpoint in another. Both sound great.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 12, 2018 17:21:59 GMT -5
I am using Sonore Ultrarendu in one system and an Elac Discovery as an endpoint in another. Both sound great. Ive read good things about both. What power supply are you using for each? Thanks for your response. |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jul 12, 2018 17:27:44 GMT -5
For the Elac, just the generic one that came with the unit. For the Sonore, their custom linear P/S. I also tried the iFi linear and didn't notice any real difference.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 12, 2018 17:35:16 GMT -5
For the Elac, just the generic one that came with the unit. For the Sonore, their custom linear P/S. I also tried the iFi linear and didn't notice any real difference. What are you using as your server? Do you think you’re getting the best sound achievable in your system or are there other steps you think you could take to achieve better sound? We’re not talking about room acoustic here. Thanks for all your time and input. |
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Post by brubacca on Jul 12, 2018 17:40:59 GMT -5
There are really only two manufacturers that fit the bill here. Sonore and SoTm.
I use a Sonore MicroRendu (There is also the UltraRendu). I've been practically begging people here to try it for years. I use a Teddy Pardo PSU, but there are other options. The MicroRendu benefits from a better supply. I also use a Schiit Eitr. My Server is a Vortexbox with Minimserver. I used to have tidal and it worked. I am using DLNA mode with the Lumin App as the control point.
The Sotm SMS-200 is also well regarded, and again it has a Ultra Version.
Another Well Regarded product is the SimAudio Moon Mind 2.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jul 12, 2018 17:45:08 GMT -5
For the Elac, just the generic one that came with the unit. For the Sonore, their custom linear P/S. I also tried the iFi linear and didn't notice any real difference. What are you using as your server? Do you think you’re getting the best sound achievable in your system or are there other steps you think you could take to achieve better sound? We’re not talking about room acoustic here. Thanks for all your time and input. I have Roon Server running on a purpose built PC using Vortexbox 2.4 as an OS and all my music is FLAC or ALAC. I am very happy with the sound quality. In my opinion, besides speakers and/or headphones and having good source files, the biggest thing you can do to improve sound is not the delivery server/player but the DAC you use. |
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Post by brubacca on Jul 12, 2018 17:50:08 GMT -5
I'll add that both my Rega DAC and Schiit Gumby sound best with my MicroRendu. I used the following other players and the mR is absolutely night and day the best.
Squeezebox Touch, Naim UnitiQute (using digital out), Homebuilt PC with Digital output card,
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jul 12, 2018 17:53:21 GMT -5
I upgraded from a MicroRendu to the UltraRendu and the difference was worth the price in my opinion.
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Post by creimes on Jul 12, 2018 17:54:50 GMT -5
I would love top go this route as well but wayyyy out of my budget  |
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Post by brubacca on Jul 12, 2018 18:19:30 GMT -5
MicroRendu - $500
UltraRendu- $875
Linear PSU- $400-$500
Buy to your budget. Other than the similar priced Sotm offering I don't believe anything at even double the price can really touch them.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jul 12, 2018 18:29:23 GMT -5
MicroRendu - $500 UltraRendu- $875 Linear PSU- $400-$500 Buy to your budget. Other than the similar priced Sotm offering I don't believe anything at even double the price can really touch them. I just bought a Elac Discovery to replace a Ultrarendu that failed, and it is as good sounding and much more solid on the network. It's about $1000 and it has one digital and two analog outputs that can all be configured as separate endpoints if you need that. Plus it is a server with a lifetime Roon Essentials license, so for someone just getting started it could be a great solution. Just add a USB drive and connect to your system and away you go. |
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Post by sahmen on Jul 12, 2018 22:31:49 GMT -5
One of the most surprising revelations I experienced in network audio streaming occurred when I replaced the stock Squeezebox Touch power supply with the Sbooster power supply pictured below and sold here: www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTXRPMP?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-mac00-other-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp_aapi1and here: www.sbooster.com/botw-pp-eco-5v-6v/squeezebox-touchIronically, I was going to sell my squeezebox touch, which had been lying idle unused around the house for a couple of years. When I got the micro- and ultrarendus, I resurrected the Squeezebox to test its performance, wondering whether I could use it as a third network player in my study, since it could serve as a Roon endpoint, However, the -rendus made the squeezebox touch sound so subpar that I decided to sell it... I was actually about to list it on e-bay when I read a post by John Swenson of Uptone Audio on the Computer Audiophile site, a post in which he described what a dramatic effect a good Power supply, such as uptone's own LPS-1, could have on the old, and now obsolete, squeezebox touch. Luckily, I was able to find a preowned version of the Sbooster power supply on ebay for nearly half the retail list price. When I tested the squeezebox touch with that sbooster power supply, the transformation in the sound was simply unbelievable. Suffice it to say that the squeezebox (powered by Sbooster) instantly became the network player serving the two-channel desktop studio rig in my study, and it is not going anywhere, any time soon.   |
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Post by novisnick on Jul 12, 2018 22:37:25 GMT -5
One of the most surprising revelations I experienced in network audio streaming occurred when I replaced the stock Squeezebox Touch power supply with the Sbooster power supply pictured below and sold here: www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTXRPMP?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-mac00-other-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp_aapi1and here: I www.sbooster.com/botw-pp-eco-5v-6v/squeezebox-touchIronically, I was going to sell my squeezebox touch, which had been lying idle unused around the house for a couple of years. When I got the micro- and ultrarendus, I resurrected the Squeezebox to test its performance, wondering whether I could use it as a third network player in my study, since it could serve as a Roon endpoint, However, the -rendus made the squeezebox touch sound so subpar that I decided to sell it... I was actually about to list it on e-bay when I read a post by John Swenson of Uptone Audio on the Computer Audiophile site, a post in which he described what a dramatic effect a good Power supply, such as uptone's own LPS-1, could have on the old, and now obsolete, squeezebox touch. Luckily, I was able to find a preowned version of the Sbooster power supply on ebay for nearly half the retail list price. When I tested the squeezebox touch with that sbooster power supply, the transformation in the sound was simply unbelievable. Suffice it to say that the squeezebox (powered by Sbooster) instantly became the network player serving the two-channel desktop studio rig in my study, and it is not going anywhere, any time soon. Ive read similar review many times and have been convinced that they’re worth the cost. Wall warts come with so much sonic baggage! |
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Post by Loop 7 on Jul 12, 2018 22:57:50 GMT -5
MicroRendu seems to be the top of the mountain for a lot of people.
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Post by Soup on Jul 13, 2018 7:20:21 GMT -5
 Add another happy MicroRendu user!
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jul 13, 2018 9:53:41 GMT -5
I'd seen various of you mention the Sonore products for a while but never gave them a serious look. Interesting little toys. The price seems pretty high to me for what they actually are. I'd love to see someone like Emotiva do a value-based option and have the chance to compare it to one of these options. Perhaps that is what the thin client streamer they've talked about will end up being...if it can be a Roon endpoint at a more reasonable price, it would be very interesting.
Mark
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Post by brubacca on Jul 13, 2018 10:30:58 GMT -5
I wouldn't wait for an Emotiva solution. They have had one on the drawing boards since the XDA-1 days. Dan has said many times to just use a Mac Mini or RPi.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 13, 2018 10:35:57 GMT -5
I wouldn't wait for an Emotiva solution. They have had one on the drawing boards since the XDA-1 days. Dan has said many times to just use a Mac Mini or RPi. Thanks, Ive already passed on the Emotiva solution. If Big Dan thinks the RPi is an end-game product, we should all chip in for counciling and a good set of hearing aids.,,,,,,,,just sayin! 😋 |
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Post by mgbpuff on Jul 13, 2018 11:00:37 GMT -5
I wouldn't wait for an Emotiva solution. They have had one on the drawing boards since the XDA-1 days. Dan has said many times to just use a Mac Mini or RPi. Thanks, Ive already passed on the Emotiva solution. If Big Dan thinks the RPi is an end-game product, we should all chip in for counciling and a good set of hearing aids.,,,,,,,,just sayin! 😋 Not sure what you are asking for, a computer interface such as the Microrendu, or a streamer product that does not include a DAC since you have the Brooklyn? The Bluesound Node 2 only costs $500. |
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Add another happy MicroRendu user!
