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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 23, 2018 21:35:33 GMT -5
Once we get to this cost, I wonder if we hit the point where each ‘unit’ of audio improvement costs 10 times what a unit costs when you go from a receiver to separates. I think it does - does a $1k device provide $900 better sound than a good Raspberry Pi solution?
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Post by frisco on Nov 23, 2018 22:04:44 GMT -5
Once we get to this cost, I wonder if we hit the point where each ‘unit’ of audio improvement costs 10 times what a unit costs when you go from a receiver to separates. I think it does - does a $1k device provide $900 better sound than a good Raspberry Pi solution? And the costs multiply if you have got more than one system to access , say a media room, office set up and a headphone statio each needing a network player. Unless you carry the rendu around the house. |
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Post by mountain on Nov 24, 2018 0:32:24 GMT -5
Once we get to this cost, I wonder if we hit the point where each ‘unit’ of audio improvement costs 10 times what a unit costs when you go from a receiver to separates. I think it does - does a $1k device provide $900 better sound than a good Raspberry Pi solution? I tend to agree but realize it’s relative to ones wants, needs, and finances. |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 24, 2018 6:54:32 GMT -5
mountain - absolutely agree. To me, it's a classic point of diminishing returns - the fun part is determining what that point is.
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Post by brubacca on Nov 24, 2018 7:53:30 GMT -5
But make no mistake, these purpose built audio computers make a dramatic difference to generic computers made to do audio tasks.
I have no doubt that listening to a microrendu and a pi in the same system would result in a purchase of a mR.
Don't kid yourself, if you care about audio at all the Rendu or Sotm series are better than any PC, Mac or Pi solution.
This any PC will do attitude is the biggest lie in audio curretly (well the newest lie at least).
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Post by klinemj on Nov 24, 2018 8:37:02 GMT -5
This any PC will do attitude is the biggest lie in audio curretly (well the newest lie at least). Until I heard the microrendu, I really believed "any PC will do". I was using all the logic that skeptics here were throwing out as reasons why it should be true..."bits are bits" essentially was the argument. I learned there's more to it than that. Lesson learned, but I still cannot explain "why/what else really counts" to others. But, I don't really care that I can't! Mark |
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Post by brubacca on Nov 24, 2018 8:55:49 GMT -5
I got my microrendu in 2016 and literally begged a few here to try it in my initial post. It was that transformative in my system.
I have been banging the drum for a couple years now and am glad othets have found these devices enjoyable.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 24, 2018 9:17:40 GMT -5
I'm going to give it a shot  |
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Post by gld3gld3 on Nov 24, 2018 9:18:03 GMT -5
To each their own. Everyone's situation will be different. In my system, the Pi/Eitr combo works and sounds great. Given the state of my system, $1000 might best be spent somewhere else, say, on a better amp. I say 'might' because I keep an open mind about these things. How should I know what component upgrade will bring the greatest improvement to my system? Currently, I'm thinking my amp is the weakest component, but I could be wrong.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 24, 2018 9:29:40 GMT -5
I discovered that SmallGreenComputer offers a 30-day trial. The Sonore website doesn't offer that. The last time I did a "trial" (on the XMC-1), I ended up keeping it.
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Post by klinemj on Nov 24, 2018 9:34:17 GMT -5
I discovered that SmallGreenComputer offers a 30-day trial. The Sonore website doesn't offer that. The last time I did a "trial" (on the XMC-1), I ended up keeping it. Get it before the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals are over and you will save $171 on the Microrendu/Power supply bundle (or $206 for the ultrarendu/power supply). I'd go for the ultra... Mark |
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Post by jdmusante on Nov 24, 2018 11:33:07 GMT -5
I discovered that SmallGreenComputer offers a 30-day trial. The Sonore website doesn't offer that. The last time I did a "trial" (on the XMC-1), I ended up keeping it. Get it before the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals are over and you will save $171 on the Microrendu/Power supply bundle (or $206 for the ultrarendu/power supply). I'd go for the ultra... Mark Yes, I just purchased the sonicTransporter with SSD, Ultrarendu, and power supply package (basically getting the SSD and the PS for free) for the Black Friday sale. The 30 return policy was a big selling point to me. I'm excited to see what this brings to the table. |
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Post by pedrocols on Nov 24, 2018 12:29:33 GMT -5
I just hope that these devices (I currently have the microrendu) once people start realizing how good they are that the prices go down substantially. My microrendu is the 1.3 version (I was too cheap to upgrade it to the 1.4 at the time) but if someone wants to try it I am willing to sell it at a discount so I can get the newer version |
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Post by bitsandbytes on Nov 24, 2018 14:32:02 GMT -5
Received my ultraRendu and Small Green Computer linear power supply last Saturday. I like what I am hearing I do have a technical question. I noticed on the back of my ultraRendu, at the lan port, in the upper right hand corner, there is an orange light which flashes quite a bit, seemingly without a pattern, whether or not I have music playing. Does anyone else with these units have this going on? Is this normal? Does this indicate a problem is going on? And if so, what kind of trouble? Do you think it may be worthwhile for me to order a cat 6 bonded cable (it would take about 65') from Blue Jean cable and run it directly from my 2Wire 3801 HGV modem/router to my ultraRendu? This way I can bypass the two jacks, the cat 5e wiring between them, and the TP-Link ethernet splitter in my listening room. In my system, I am only using the ultraRendu for Tidal streaming as I do not have music files stored in my computers. I had gone with Sonore rather than SOTM as their Sonicorbiter 2.7 software and the Linn Kazoo app on my Apple IPAD Air 2 allows me to stream directly without going through a separate music server and a software package like Roon. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Walt |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 24, 2018 14:35:43 GMT -5
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Post by bitsandbytes on Nov 24, 2018 14:48:40 GMT -5
Thank you. The jacks are plastic units attached to my walls with category 5e wire running between them. Much like regular phone jacks, only these have an ethernet port on them for attaching an ethernet cable. My USB cable is short, only .75 meters long. Walt |
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Post by frisco on Nov 24, 2018 15:48:18 GMT -5
Has anyone beenn able to direct connect a rendu to a Mac by Ethernet ( with the Mac connected to the router by wireless?) the instructions I’ve sen don’t seem to work for me.
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Post by klinemj on Nov 24, 2018 17:37:14 GMT -5
Received my ultraRendu and Small Green Computer linear power supply last Saturday. I like what I am hearing I do have a technical question. I noticed on the back of my ultraRendu, at the lan port, in the upper right hand corner, there is an orange light which flashes quite a bit, seemingly without a pattern, whether or not I have music playing. Does anyone else with these units have this going on? Is this normal? Does this indicate a problem is going on? And if so, what kind of trouble? Do you think it may be worthwhile for me to order a cat 6 bonded cable (it would take about 65') from Blue Jean cable and run it directly from my 2Wire 3801 HGV modem/router to my ultraRendu? This way I can bypass the two jacks, the cat 5e wiring between them, and the TP-Link ethernet splitter in my listening room. Glad to hear you are liking it so far. I checked mine and mine has a green light upper left of the port and orange on upper light and the orange flashes. I think it's normal...not having any issues w/it holding a connection. I think it's just passing some bits...or bytes...each time it flashes. LOL....pun intended. Also, my router is on the floor above my stereo room where my UR is, and there are several connectors in between...no issues and mine is cat 5e, I think. Net, don't think you need to re-wire. Mark |
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 24, 2018 17:50:56 GMT -5
Over on Computer Audiophile, many people think the microRendu is almost a necessity. I am now intrigued because it seems to make any DAC sound a lot better.
I agree with those who think the industrial design is sub-par. It reminds me of an external hard drive enclosure from 2003.
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Post by bitsandbytes on Nov 24, 2018 18:15:42 GMT -5
Received my ultraRendu and Small Green Computer linear power supply last Saturday. I like what I am hearing I do have a technical question. I noticed on the back of my ultraRendu, at the lan port, in the upper right hand corner, there is an orange light which flashes quite a bit, seemingly without a pattern, whether or not I have music playing. Does anyone else with these units have this going on? Is this normal? Does this indicate a problem is going on? And if so, what kind of trouble? Do you think it may be worthwhile for me to order a cat 6 bonded cable (it would take about 65') from Blue Jean cable and run it directly from my 2Wire 3801 HGV modem/router to my ultraRendu? This way I can bypass the two jacks, the cat 5e wiring between them, and the TP-Link ethernet splitter in my listening room. Glad to hear you are liking it so far. I checked mine and mine has a green light upper left of the port and orange on upper light and the orange flashes. I think it's normal...not having any issues w/it holding a connection. I think it's just passing some bits...or bytes...each time it flashes. LOL....pun intended. Also, my router is on the floor above my stereo room where my UR is, and there are several connectors in between...no issues and mine is cat 5e, I think. Net, don't think you need to re-wire. Mark Thank you for checking, Mark. Glad that flashing orange light is just the "bitsandbytes" being passed through  That is great that everything performing excellent with your multiple ethernet connections. Doing this is very inexpensive (less than $55) and its easy for me to do. Will put a low priority on it though Walt |
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