Jump to content
  • The Computer Audiophile
    The Computer Audiophile

    Simple Design Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF Converter Review

    P1040190-thumb.pngHigh end audio can be a polarizing hobby. Audiophiles like to select a product or technology and support it vigorously as if they have a large financial interest in its success. I was born an audiophile. I completely understand the desire for one's selection to be validated by the audiophile community. I also completely understand how unhealthy that desire for validation is and the neurosis it can cause. Audiophiles, myself included, must realize the products we select today will sound just as good in five years regardless of competing products, newer technologies, and others' opinions. One polarizing topic in computer audio is digital interfaces. Two digital interfaces that have strong vocal support from users are USB and Ethernet. Users of one technology frequently turn a blind eye to the merits of the other technology and won't even consider its use. Many users selected one technology a few years ago based on the information available at that time and refuse to update their own knowledge for any number of reasons. This leads to armchair engineer arguments based on half truths and old information. These discussions are a disservice to all readers. Based on my experience with both USB and Ethernet interfaces it's clear to me that both can sound excellent and both will have a strong presence in high end audio for the foreseeable future. One Ethernet interface that caught my attention a couple months ago is the UPnP AV 2.0 / DLNA compliant Simple Design Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF Converter. Admittedly I was drawn in by the features and specs, notably its ability to play DSD, 24/192 PCM, and gapless audio streamed over Ethernet. I've since listened through the Rendu for countless hours and put it through a number of network audio tests. At first the Rendu was a bit picky and had some playback issues. Today using the newest firmware I'm happy to report the Rendu works very well and continues to sound very good. The Simple Design Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF Converter is a product to watch in both two channel and whole house network audio. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

    P1040183-800px.jpg

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

    Simple Design Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF Converter

     

    P1040218-thumb-mid.pngThe Simple Design Rendu is an Ethernet to S/PDIF all digital converter. The Rendu could be considered an audio appliance. It has one switch on the outside that turns the unit on/off and zero user configurable options. The Rendu is simple to understand. Ethernet in, S/PDIF out. Its only input is an Ethernet port that's connected to a home network via CAT5 or better cable. Its only output is a transformer coupled true 75 ohm BNC S/PDIF port that connects to a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC). Connecting to a DAC with an RCA S/PDIF port requires a very inexpensive BNC to RCA adapter. Simple Design can also supply a Cardas BNC to RCA cable. In addition to the Ethernet to S/PDIF model reviewed here Simple design offers an HDMI i2s model and a version with a built-in DAC among others.

     

    The Rendu features a low noise, low output impedance linear power supply. This power supply no doubt has roots in the extensive research Simple Design has done for its USB converters and Sonore music server PSUs. Critically important in converters such as the Rendu is the clocking scheme. Simple Design uses two fixed frequency low jitter clocks in the Rendu. This is frequently seen as one of the best, if not the best, way to lower jitter. One feature that may seem un-audiophile at first blush, but is very nice, is the integrated, 32 bit, high precision volume control. I really like this feature for controlling volume in independent zones. For example, when using several Rendu units and streaming the same or different audio to each unit it's possible to control the volume from an iPad / iPhone app such as JRemote. Using JRemote enables the user to not only control the volume of each zone independently but also from anywhere in one's house as long as the iDevice is on the network. During the review period I spent limited time with the volume control feature as my main use was two channel audio where my preamp remote was always available. In the next week or two I will publish a complete article on multi-zone audio using several Rendu units. In this upcoming article I will touch on the digital volume control of the Rendu.

     

    Careful selection of internal components by Simple Design enables the Rendu converter to stand out with a great set of features that work. Fans of Ethernet audio understand very well that UPnP / DLNA audio renderers often fail to meet the marketing hype from many manufacturers. The Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF converter can do everything as advertised by Simple Design. This is a company that understands computer audiophiles and the Internet. Simple Design knows people will rant far more than they rave about a product. If the Rendu doesn't work as promised the company will never hear the end. A few of the Rendu's great features are DSD / DoP support for DSF and DFF files, 44.1 through 192 kHz support, AIFF, ALAC, WAV, and any FLAC compression level support, and (the mother of many heated internet rants) gapless audio support.

     

    The Rendu digital converter has some specific requirements in order to use its full potential. The Rendu hardware is ahead of most software applications with its DSD / DoP streaming capability. Readers looking to use the Rendu as a simpler PCM only converter without gapless support can likely use almost any UPnP / DLNA server / controller combination to feed audio to the unit. I have several DSD albums and live albums that require gapless playback for full effect. Thus I setup my system to meet the Rendu's requirements (at first). Then I strayed from the requirements and succeeded in producing a better user experience with my own configuration. According to Simple Design, "Gapless is currently supported via Android with Bubble UPNP as controller, J-River on PC and Mac as controller with local storage." In addition, "DSD/DoP pass thru requires the use of MinimServer." Once I verified the aforementioned configurations worked OK I moved to my preferred setup that I knew would also work. I used JRiver Media Center v18.0.175 as the server and an iPad with JRemote v2.31 as the control point. All my music is stored on a Synology DS1812+ NAS that isn't running any UPnP / DLNA software. JRiver's newest Media Center build features what it calls Bitstream DSD. This feature must be enabled deep within the Media Network settings for Media Center to stream DSD content as DoP to a compliant device. DoPE (DSD over PCM Ethernet) is supported by JRiver Media Center and MinimServer with the dopwav transcoder option. I used both during this review, but mainly JRiver because I like all its features, support forums, and using JRemote. The Simple Design Rendu supports gapless playback using SetNextAVTransportURI. There are other methods to accomplish gapless playback but I believe using SetNextAVTransportURI is the best method. JRiver Media Center sends a SetNextAVTransport call to the Rendu and identifies the upcoming track. It's then up to the Rendu to play the next track gapless. I put the Rendu through the ultimate torture test by attempting to play a gapless DSD album. Let's just say playback was a little less than great, but I believe JRiver Media Center had a hand in this subpar performance as well.

     

    Note: No question is a dumb question. Some readers have asked what is gapless playback. Gapless playback is simply playing the tracks on an album or in a queue without a time gap between tracks. When listening to The Dark Side of the Moon the tracks bleed into each other as do the tracks on most live albums. Without gapless support there is a pause of one or two seconds while the next track loads before playback continues. Gapless playback eliminates this time between tracks for smooth playback of all tracks just as the artist intended.

     

    P1040203-middle.png

     

     

     

    Testing Rendu's Features

     

    The Rendu not only had to sound good it had to work as advertised. Playback of 16 bit / 44.1 through 24 bit / 192 kHz material may seem like a standard feature that should work on every device, but that's not the case. Many UPnP / DLNA devices based on the Stream Unlimited Stream 700 board have a difficult time playing uncompressed FLAC files at 176.4 and 192 kHz. The Rendu doesn't use the Stream 700 board and doesn't have any problem playing 24/192 material bit perfect. The ability to play all relevant sample rates in whatever file format I use is a big deal. Devices that require transcoding one's entire library to a different format or compression level can tun off potential users and steer people from network based audio for no good reason. I connected the Rendu to my Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC for much of the testing as this DAC enables me to check for bit transparency. The sound quality of the Rendu was very good in my Berkeley / Spectral / TAD system. I really didn't know what to expect as I've never seen measurements for this device and I've only heard from Simple Design about the sound quality. Based on my extensive listening to the Rendu it's a terrific converter at all PCM sample rates.

     

    DSD over PCM Ethernet (DoPE) is a feature that intrigued me very much. At first I asked Simple Design why I would need this because the DoP devices I had used were all USB based and the Rendu was S/PDIF. Simple Design said DoP isn't interface specific and will work on S/PDIF, USB, and AES. Once I learned that major piece of information I was on a mission to find a DAC that supported DoP on its S/PDIF inputs. As luck would have it the dCS Vivaldi stack with DAC, Upsampler, and Clock arrived shortly thereafter. The Vivaldi DAC and Upsampler both support DSD DoP on all inputs. With the Vivaldi in place I could test the Rendu's DSD playback capability and sound quality. Much like it was with PCM the Rendu sounded very good with DSD material. My usual Nat King Cole album The Very Thought of You streamed via DoP from my computer to the Rendu then through the Vivaldi Upsampler was impressive. My only problem with DoPE playback was related to software. When selecting a DSD track playback started in JRiver MC but sound didn't come through the system for about 15-20 seconds. The tracks suffered a majorly delayed start, but weren't shortened in any way. MinimServer didn't produce this long of delay but my MinimServer library was vastly different as it resided on my Mac with five albums. Right now I consider MinimServer a testing tool because the JRiver interface with JRemote is so much better. However, for many people MinimServer is perfect because it is very low profile as it runs in the background and can be directed at a user's existing iTunes library. Perhaps if DoPE was of great importance to me and much of my collection was DSD encoded I would switch to MinimServer. I'm willing to bet JRiver will improve DoPE streaming in the coming weeks and months. The feature was only recently enabled. Without many test users for such a feature it's hard to get user feedback for improvement in a short period of time.

     

    Note: The EMM Labs DAC2X doesn't support DoP on S/PDIF or AES inputs yet. I've been told the Mytek Stereo 192 DAC and Benchmark DAC2 HGC support DoP on S/PDIF and AES inputs.

     

    Gapless playback over Ethernet has been the bane of many manufacturer's existence. Thus, I tested gapless playback extensively throughout the review period. The original version of Rendu firmware didn't support gapless playback. Simple Design furnished a firmware update, version 1.36.1.5, that enabled gapless playback at all sample rates. My music library contains gapless albums of all sample rates from 44.1 through 192 and even DSD. As noted earlier gapless DSD didn't work, but I don't hold that against Simple Design and the Rendu. I started with simple 44.1 albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon. Rendu didn't blink upon each track change. Playback was gapless or seamless from Dark Side track to track. I moved up to The Dark Side of the Moon at 24/96 ripped from the Blu-ray in the Immersion Box Set. My experience was identical to playing 44.1. The Rendu didn't blink and the sound was very good. After playing some gapless 24/176.4 material I moved to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King at 24/192 kHz. The entire album start to finish played gapless through the Rendu. I also stopped and started a few tacks to simulate what a real user may do while listening. The Rendu / JRMC combo performed flawless. I thought I'd find issues with gapless as I moved up in sample rate. Fortunately there was no difference in gapless performance from 44.1 to 192. There was no way to identify the sample rate of the current album based on gapless performance. Either it's gapless or it's not and the Rendu is gapless at 192.

     

    Near the end of the review period I connected the Simple Design Rendu to the EMM Labs DAC2X's S/PDIF input and my CAPS Carbon server to the DAC2X's USB input. I wanted some reference with which to compare the sound quality through the Rendu. This comparison isn't the most real world comparison as most people with computers within 16 feet of their audio systems will simply select USB. The remaining users must user a longer distance technology like Ethernet. I don't see the Rendu as a competitor to products like the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB converter because the technologies are like apples and oranges. Users will likely require one or the other. During the comparison I was able to move directly from the USB to S/PDIF input and back with ease because the EMM Labs 2X remote has discrete input selection. I much prefer long term listening to compare components, but I did both short and long term for this review. Overall the Rendu holds its own very well versus the USB input of the DAC2X. Readers should consider that the 2X resamples all data to DSD rates as part of its jitter reduction scheme. I don't know if this equalizes the sound quality of the inputs a little bit or majorly. Music via the direct USB input was a bit tighter with a more solid image. When switching between inputs the first thing I noticed was the tightness of the images when using USB. I don't mean smaller image or soundstage rather the sound in the image just appeared tighter. The other noticeable sonic difference was a slight soft edge at the top and bottom frequencies through the Rendu. This softness was really minor. It's likely that many users wouldn't notice it unless presented with these two options for comparison and very familiar music. The Rendu was at a large disadvantage because the direct USB input is asynchronous and controls the clocking. Yet music played through the Rendu sounded very good. This is a terrific Ethernet to S/PDIF converter that works and sounds very good.

     

     

     

    Conclusion

     

    cash-logo-black-thumb.jpgThe Simple Design UPnP AV 2.0 / DLNA compliant Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF Converter is a fairly unique device. Its features such as true gapless support from 44.1 through 192 kHz and DSD DoPE playback for streaming DSD over Ethernet help set the Rendu apart from the competition. Features are one thing but sound quality and a device that delivers on the manufacturer's promises is another. The Rendu sounded very good in all systems I used during the review. Both PCM and DSD playback was impressive through the Rendu. It's linear power supply likely plays a significant role in its sonic quality. The Rendu delivers on all its advertised features from DSD to 24/192 PCM playback to gapless audio all streamed over Ethernet. These features simply work as they should. The Simple Design Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF Converter is a great solution for Ethernet based audiophiles, those tempted by Ethernet audio, and multi-zone music aficionados among others. Highly recommend and CASH Listed.

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

    Product Information:

     

     

     

    • Product - Sonore Rendu Ethernet to S/PDIF converter
    • Price - $1,369
    • Product Page - Link ex.png

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

    Associated Equipment:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    "Readers looking to use the Rendu as a simpler PCM only converter without gapless support can likely use almost any UPnP / DLNA server / controller combination to feed audio to the unit."

     

    Does this include something as basic as Logitech Media Server 7.7.1? It would make the transition a lot easier!

     

    It would also enable easy switching between the 2 units.

     

    Triode, LMS is in fact a great server for the Rendu. I list it on my webpage and have tested the combination. I only wish we could get LMS to find and stream to the Rendu. If this feature was available I could add it to Vortexbox. Would you be willing to consult for us on this?

     

    Jesus R

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Triode, LMS is in fact a great server for the Rendu. I list it on my webpage and have tested the combination. I only wish we could get LMS to find and stream to the Rendu. If this feature was available I could add it to Vortexbox. Would you be willing to consult for us on this?

     

    Jesus R

     

    +1!

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    It does not support it via SPDIF and it is capped at 96K via that input.

     

    Jesus R

     

    If i have correct information, it will be upgraded to do DoP in the future but not yet.

    dCS is in the process of upgrading the Scarlatti stack to DoP (the upsampler and the DAC) as we speak, the rest of the range will be done quicker and later.

    it is taking a long time because although vivaldi supports DoP since day one, the rest of the range is using different chips...

     

    I've been waiting eargerly...

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Have you ever considered putting a BNC clock input as an option?<br>it would be very attractive.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Have you ever considered putting a BNC clock input as an option?<br>it would be very attractive.

     

    I'm going to look into it for you..

     

    Jesus R

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Thanks, except people that buys the dCS Vivaldi Upsampler, it would be difficult to synchronise clocks across the Rendu and the DAC for maximum quality.

    in fact, the more i think about it, the more I think it would probable better to be Ethernet to Asynch USB2, so the clock can understand the sampling rate and propagate the right frequency everywhere....

    the issue is annoying when using a computer with mixed sampling rate playlist because if your system is synchronised with a clock for ultimate quality, you need to dynamically switch clock base frequency automatically...

    anyway just my 2c

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Thanks, except people that buys the dCS Vivaldi Upsampler, it would be difficult to synchronise clocks across the Rendu and the DAC for maximum quality.

    in fact, the more i think about it, the more I think it would probable better to be Ethernet to Asynch USB2, so the clock can understand the sampling rate and propagate the right frequency everywhere....

    the issue is annoying when using a computer with mixed sampling rate playlist because if your system is synchronised with a clock for ultimate quality, you need to dynamically switch clock base frequency automatically...

    anyway just my 2c

     

    Anytime you send a clock signal over a wire it is going to be degraded… So, think about it...

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Anytime you send a clock signal over a wire it is going to be degraded… So, think about it...

     

    I agree BUT

    Not sending the clock signal independently and recovering it from the audio signal is always going to be worst.

    It is a relative thing, If you have the opportunity to make the test it is totally obvious.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I agree BUT

    Not sending the clock signal independently and recovering it from the audio signal is always going to be worst.

    It is a relative thing, If you have the opportunity to make the test it is totally obvious.

     

    Agreed. It is relative, and what we are really talking about here are the limitations inherent in using SPDIF. But a recovered clock signal does not have to be that bad: How good SPDIF with the Rendu can be, depends a lot on how good the SPDIF receiver section is in the partnering DAC. Some DACs, like MSB and Meitner have some pretty clever reclocking schemes for SPDIF, which reduce jitter problems to levels which are likely inconsequential. dCS, very likely has a very good SPDIF receiver and reclocking scheme; I recall that Stereophile, when reviewing (I think it was the Scarlatti stack) could not hear sonic differences between SPDIF and USB, for example. And DACs using the ESS Sabre can take advantage of its internal reclocking scheme, which is relatively unaffected by the SPDIF data path.

    I feel balanced LVDS I2S connections are inherently superior to SPDIF, with separate lines for word, master, bit clocks, and data, and no need for a "receiver" to interpret the incoming stream. The Rendu is available in an I2S out version for DACs which are compatible, using the PS Audio standard on HDMI.

    I am not a fan of using a separate box to generate either master, or word clock, and then trying to distribute that clock over multiple wires and connections to multiple components, this approach just seems overly complex, expensive, and ultimately a futile way to achieve low jitter.

    Ultimately, the "Best" approach would be a single box component, with super low jitter oscillators right at the DAC chip, which then sent master clock back over I2S (and through isolation) but only over a short distance to the Ethernet interface. This solution would need to have sophisticated, isolated power supplies, and good internal shielding and damping of the RF energy generated by the Ethernet board. A Linn Klimax DS comes to mind here.

    But the Rendu, with SPDIF output, is made for those people who have a SPDIF input DAC which they love, and it performs remarkably well for those DACs.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Using a SMPS in our design was not a consideration. Sure it could reduce the cost, but I don't fell our customers are looking for this option....

     

    Jesus R

    Jesus ... I think that comment is a little disengenuous to Linn's SMPS. Like Chord they have done serious work on SMPS and they aren't chosen for cost reduction.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Jesus ... I think that comment is a little disengenuous to Linn's SMPS. Like Chord they have done serious work on SMPS and they aren't chosen for cost reduction.

    Sorry I missed how long ago you made that comment and that you had already responded to a similar comment to mine...

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Jesus ... I think that comment is a little disengenuous to Linn's SMPS. Like Chord they have done serious work on SMPS and they aren't chosen for cost reduction.

     

    E: I think this response is a little OT. Jesus did not mention Linn/Chord. The fact is, that most SMPS are absolutely terrible for audio. And most audiophiles rightly believe that SMPS are in general "bad". Linn and Chrod specialize in developing their own SMPS for audio use, and they build very good, quiet, and high speed supplies-but as you note, doing so is not cheap, nor is it easy, it is very difficult to design and build a SMPS which is quiet. Chord's president comes from a background where his expertise was specifically designing high speed switching power supplies.

    The Rendu uses a linear power supply because it is much easier for small company to develop a linear supply which is absolutely silent, and very fast. The supply runs from a specially chosen transformer (to provide the best possible isolation from mains noise), uses an extra DC filter after rectification, and then uses a very special, discrete, series regulator design which offers ultra low noise, and very high speed operation. This supply is critical to the performance of the Rendu, because it powers the master oscillators directly.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    E: I think this response is a little OT. Jesus did not mention Linn/Chord.

    Barrows... Jesus's comment was in response to a post starting "why not use a Sneaky DS" therefore I think the logical assumption is that he IS talking about Linn's SMPS...

     

    I added Chord as a second example (and there are more) so as to say "and Linn aren't the only ones who feel this way".

     

    To me Jesus' comment was disparaging the competition with FUD which (I understood) was a BIG no-no in Chris' rule book!!

     

    Eloise

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Sorry Eloise, I guess I had not seen it, or did not recall it. In any case, my experience is with the Klimax series products from Linn, looking at the price of, say the Sneaky, I doubt the supply in there is anywhere near as good as what is in the Rendu, but honestly I do not know that for sure. I have not seen any independent reviews of the Sneaky with measurements for jitter spectrum (which can be a good indicator of the quality of the power supplies), do you have any review links to share? I shall do a little googling to satisfy my curiosity.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Barrows... Not sure of any measurements taken. And yes I agree that the Sneaky has a cheaper SMPS thank the Dynamik SMPS used in other Linn products - though I don't think it's simply an off the shelf PSU though.

     

    At the end of the day "I doubt the supply in [the Sneaky] is anywhere near as good as what is in the Rendu" is a statement than an independent observer can make; it's not something the manufacturer should be implying - not within Chris' rules as I understand them.

     

    Eloise

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    ...SMPS for audio use, and they build very good, quiet, and high speed supplies-but as you note, doing so is not cheap, nor is it easy, it is very difficult to design and build a SMPS which is quiet....

     

    There are a very few pre-designed/built ultra-low-noise switching power supplies available to OEMs, but as you say, they are not cheap. HFS50 Ultra Low Noise Switching Power Supply It is a really good SMPS, beyond what any small hi-fi maker could do on their own.

    The 12V/4.2A version in this series runs to OEMs as follows:

    1-9 pieces = $195 each

    10-49 pieces = $160 each

    50-99 pieces = $135 each

    100+ pieces = $115 each

     

    But depending upon one's business model (dealers/distributors or just end-user direct), the inclusion of a supply like the above could be about $400-700 of a product's retail price, though if one considers the cost and labor of an equally quiet linear supply, the choice could be close to a wash.

     

    Also, IIRC, the European Union has, as part of CE Mark and newer initiatives, begun to require that consumer electronics (yes, even boutique hi-fi) come with power-factor corrected supplies, and that their idle current draws be extremely low. (I suppose I should Google this to get up-to-date, but if anyone here has links I'd be interested.) So the move to SMPS by the established firms in recent years may partially be in response to new regulations phasing in.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    the two devices have some show stopping differences. The Linn unit requires playlist mode for gapless playback. With the Rendu I just play whatever I want and it's gapless. If I'm listening to Nat King Cole then switch to Dark Side of the Moon at 24/96, it will be gapless automatically.

    Related to this so Chris or anyone... Does the Rendu also have a playlist mode? In other words can the controller be "disconnected" once playback is started as you can with the Linn so if you are running NAS (Vortexbox) to streamer (no computer running JRMC) controlled by (e.g.) Kinsky and you turn off the iPad; does playback stop at the end of the track?

     

    Eloise

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Barrows... Jesus's comment was in response to a post starting "why not use a Sneaky DS" therefore I think the logical assumption is that he IS talking about Linn's SMPS...

     

    I added Chord as a second example (and there are more) so as to say "and Linn aren't the only ones who feel this way".

     

    To me Jesus' comment was disparaging the competition with FUD which (I understood) was a BIG no-no in Chris' rule book!!

     

    Eloise

     

    Eloise, you should quote the whole thing. The question was, "Why not use a Linn Sneaky DS instead? Cheaper, sits on your network, has an s/pdif output (and a built in DAC if you prefer), works with minimserver and many others, has been doing gapless playback for years ... and it's cheaper."

     

    He mentions cheaper twice and consider that the posts prior to this one were additional comparisons with an even cheaper product. So I said, "Using a SMPS in our design was not a consideration." This is a fact and not related to any product. I also said, "Sure it could reduce the cost, but I don't fell our customers are looking for this option...." This is a fact followed by my opinion. BTW my opinion is reinforced by my customers. Feel free to read between the lines on that. Anyway, I could hook up the Rendu to a $20 SMPS and indeed make it cheaper. The only issues is then we have to spend additional money to make it better:)

     

    Quest, the term "Ultra Low Noise" as used in Draitron's product literature is relative to their industry...industrial/medical. We would have to filter out the extra noise, use a larger case if not a separate case all together and it would cost more. If someone wants to use a CE rated SMPS they can buy the Rendu.dc version.

     

    Jesus R

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Related to this so Chris or anyone... Does the Rendu also have a playlist mode? In other words can the controller be "disconnected" once playback is started as you can with the Linn so if you are running NAS (Vortexbox) to streamer (no computer running JRMC) controlled by (e.g.) Kinsky and you turn off the iPad; does playback stop at the end of the track?

     

    Eloise

     

    Eloise, the iOS control APPS will not send the next title for playback at the end of the current title if you turn off your device and or the control APP. The Android system on the other hand works properly and playback continues even if you turn the device off.

     

    Jesus R

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Barrows... Not sure of any measurements taken. And yes I agree that the Sneaky has a cheaper SMPS thank the Dynamik SMPS used in other Linn products - though I don't think it's simply an off the shelf PSU though.

     

    At the end of the day "I doubt the supply in [the Sneaky] is anywhere near as good as what is in the Rendu" is a statement than an independent observer can make; it's not something the manufacturer should be implying - not within Chris' rules as I understand them.

     

    Eloise

     

    I agree absolutely. Linn have the competence and the capacity to design and build their own SMPS in-house. Making any assumptions about the performance of their product on the basis of experience with bought in mass-market cheap SMPS is unfair. Does Rendu design and build their own PSU in house?

     

    Nor has anyone dealt satisfactorily with the fundamental problem with products like the Rendu compared to network streamers like the Naim and Linn DS. The Rendu adds jitter to data that does not contain it, because it outputs s/pdif. It can only degrade the signal. Network streamers can set their clocks from the clock-frequency that is an invariant part of the files metadata.

     

    I do not have any Linn, Naim or PS-Audio equipment btw.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I agree absolutely. Linn have the competence and the capacity to design and build their own SMPS in-house. Making any assumptions about the performance of their product on the basis of experience with bought in mass-market cheap SMPS is unfair. Does Rendu design and build their own PSU in house?

     

    Yes, the Rendu has an custom built linear power supply, featuring a specially selected transformer (selected to provide the best isolation from mains noise), a DC input filtering/smoothing circuit, and a discrete, series regulator for ultra low noise and high bandwidth output. This power supply is essential to its performance.

     

    Nor has anyone dealt satisfactorily with the fundamental problem with products like the Rendu compared to network streamers like the Naim and Linn DS. The Rendu adds jitter to data that does not contain it, because it outputs s/pdif. It can only degrade the signal. Network streamers can set their clocks from the clock-frequency that is an invariant part of the files metadata.

     

    I do not have any Linn, Naim or PS-Audio equipment btw.

     

    I am not even sure what you are saying here? The Rendu is a network streamer. there is no fundamental problem, the version tested by Chris is specifically designed for those who have, and love, their SPDIF input DACs (such as his Berkeley Alpha). The Rendu has a very, very good SPDIF output. For those who have DACs which can accept it, there is also a balanced I2S output version of the Rendu which avoids entirely SPDIF. To say that the Rendu adds significant jitter is not really accurate at all, certainly not in comparison to how any other kind of interface works, all interfaces add some jitter (USB, SPDIF, I2S, etc), the question is how much jitter is there. The Rendu has a very low jitter SPDIF output, clearly the sound quality reported by Chris backs this up. Now if your criticism is just that of the SPDIF format itself, then I agree, SPDIF is imperfect by design, but for those who love their SPDIF DACs and do not want to purchase another DAC, the Rendu provides the best performance possible and enables them to have no computer near the audio system, and a very clean and easy interface through which they can navigate their library, select tracks, and control volume.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Eloise, the iOS control APPS will not send the next title for playback at the end of the current title if you turn off your device and or the control APP. The Android system on the other hand works properly and playback continues even if you turn the device off.

     

    Jesus R

    Jesus... I'm not sure I understand this reply...

     

    If you turn the Android device off, then how can it still send the next title to the device. Or do you mean the Android UPnP controllers work in the background so you can switch away from them (unlike with iOS)? Unless it has a playlist mode (that is the renderer requesting the next track) I can't see how playback can continue if the controller device is switched off (meaning to my mind powered off)? Or are you talking about when J.River is involved (as Chris reviewed it)?

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The Rendu has a very low jitter SPDIF output, clearly the sound quality reported by Chris backs this up. Now if your criticism is just that of the SPDIF format itself, then I agree, SPDIF is imperfect by design, but for those who love their SPDIF DACs and do not want to purchase another DAC, the Rendu provides the best performance possible and enables them to have no computer near the audio system, and a very clean and easy interface through which they can navigate their library, select tracks, and control volume.

     

    Jitter is measurable construct, it is not a matter of opinion; what measurements do you have that support your claim the the "Rendu has a very low jitter SPDIF output"?

     

    Even accepting the limitations inherent in s/pdif, how can the Rendu provide the "best performance possible" when it can neither accept input from a master clock, nor provide a clock output to a suitably equipped DAC. Surely the "best performance possible" for s/pdif would be when both the Rendu and the DAC are driven from the same clock?

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Andy: I just looked at your profile, and found you have chosen not to list your audio system. At this point, I have no idea what your reference is for sound quality and performance. This gives the appearance that you are some kind of internet troll, intent on spreading negativity. I would suggest you post your system, this way, the community here might get some kind of idea what your level of experience is, and where you are coming from.

    To suggest that jitter is "measurable" while true in a sense, is somewhat misleading, as no two jitter measurements are comparable, unless they are done in exactly the same way, using the exact same equipment. Hence the fact that most manufacturers do not publish meaningful jitter specifications, as the numbers are generally not comparable from one test procedure to another. John Atkinson at Stereophile, for example, measures jitter by examining the analog output of a DAC for artifacts with a specific test signal: of course, this test is not applicable to a device with only a digital output: indeed, the jitter performance of the Rendu for this type of test would depend to great extent to the quality of the SPDIF receiver circuit in the partnering DAC.

    The reality of SPDIF is that sending a bunch of clock signals back and forth from DAC to source, and/or visa versa is not going to result in significant improvements in performance, and very few DAC's offer the possibility of doing this anyway. Adding a feature like this to the Rendu would add expense, which very few people could take advantage of, it is silly.

     

    I'll say it again, because you seem to have a reading copmprhension problem of some sort: The Rendu with SPDIF output is designed for those audiophiles who have an SPDIF input DAC which they love, and who do not wish to purchase another DAC. And for the audiophiles who would like to avoid the inherent problems of SPDIF, there is an

    I2S output version of the Rendu. Pair the I2S Rendu with a compatible DAC like the new Wyred 4 Sound DAC, and one gets a fantastic performing system, capable of playing back 24/192 and DSD, without using SPDIF at all.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Jesus... I'm not sure I understand this reply...

     

    If you turn the Android device off, then how can it still send the next title to the device. Or do you mean the Android UPnP controllers work in the background so you can switch away from them (unlike with iOS)? Unless it has a playlist mode (that is the renderer requesting the next track) I can't see how playback can continue if the controller device is switched off (meaning to my mind powered off)? Or are you talking about when J.River is involved (as Chris reviewed it)?

     

    Eloise, I was only referring to iOS and Android only. I'm not talking about a hard shutdown on these devices and instead just pressing the power button and the device screen turning off. Let's call it standby mode.

     

    Jesus R

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments




×
×
  • Create New...