Sonore Signature Rendu vs Bel Canto REFStream renderers

[DavidL]

Has anyone compared the Bel Canto REFStream renderer with the Sonore Signature Rendu or the original Rendu?

 

I did a comparison of renderers in January 2014 auditioning the Krell Connect, the Naim ND5 XS and the Cyrus Stream X2. I thought the Krell sounded the best, slightly better than the Naim with the Cyrus some way behind. I bought a Sonore Rendu unheard, purely on the basis of reviews, as I was deterred by the huge box and price of the Krell. The sound quality from the Rendu is excellent but I did not have the opportunity to compare it directly with the Krell Connect. Memory of sound quality is notoriously difficult but I tend to think the Krell Connect may have had the edge over the Rendu.

 

I've just read the Audiostream review of the Bel Canto REFStream by Michael Lavorgna:

Bel Canto REFStream Asynchronous Ethernet Renderer | AudioStream

 

His very positive review might indicate that its sound quality is in the same class as that of the Sonore Signature Rendu which Chris has reviewed. I'd be very interested in hearing any views on the relative merits of these 2 renderers.

 

Chris,

Any chance of a comparative review of the Bel Canto REFStream?

[rodrigaj]

Throw in the Aurender N100(H) while you are at it Chris. Please.

[khmusi]

HAve someone listen to this new component from Bel Canto?

 

Is a combination withe Melco n1a reasonable?

 

Greatings

 

Klemens

[Blizzard]

The Bel Canto uses the AD Blackfin DSP chip to extract the I2S/DSD out of the Ethernet stream, just like the Sonore signature Rendu.

 

The Signature Rendu has an I2S output as the best option, and the Bel Canto has ST fibre. The ST may be great but not many compatible DAC's compared to I2S.

[Norton]

I've just read the Audiostream review of the Bel Canto REFStream by Michael Lavorgna:

Bel Canto REFStream Asynchronous Ethernet Renderer | AudioStream[/

 

"while you can play back your DSD64 files, they will be converted by the REFStream to 24/176.4 PCM data before being sent to your DAC (religious warriors have at it)"

 

Maybe a misleading review? I'm guessing all this means is that the Bel Canto plays DSD via DoP, not that it actually converts DSD to PCM ( which would seem a dumb thing to do these days)

[ted_b]

"while you can play back your DSD64 files, they will be converted by the REFStream to 24/176.4 PCM data before being sent to your DAC (religious warriors have at it)"

 

Maybe a misleading review? I'm guessing all this means is that the Bel Canto plays DSD via DoP, not that it actually converts DSD to PCM ( which would seem a dumb thing to do these days)

 

I know Michael understands DoP protocol very well, so he would have said it "supports DSD via DoP". He didn't. He specifically said "converts" (which is not a DoP function).

 

OTOH, a user reported (Patatorz on AudioStream comments) that it's DoP capable, then 10 days later came back and said no, it converts to PCM, yet then said DoP in the same damn response. Wow. Clear as mud.

[Blizzard]

"while you can play back your DSD64 files, they will be converted by the REFStream to 24/176.4 PCM data before being sent to your DAC (religious warriors have at it)"

 

Maybe a misleading review? I'm guessing all this means is that the Bel Canto plays DSD via DoP, not that it actually converts DSD to PCM ( which would seem a dumb thing to do these days)

 

This is correct. It accepts up to DSD 64, but converts to PCM 24/176 PCM. I would never buy it for that reason alone.

 

 

Big plus for the Sonore. The Sonore will even send DSD out of the SPDIF.

[ted_b]

This is correct. It accepts up to DSD 64, but converts to PCM 24/176 PCM. I would never buy it for that reason alone.

 

 

Big plus for the Sonore. The Sonore will even send DSD out of the SPDIF.

 

Yes, and as I reported, the SSR's I2S (via Minimserver) can do raw DSD or DoP, either one (DoP requires Minimstreamer setup command dsf:dopwav).

[firedog]

"while you can play back your DSD64 files, they will be converted by the REFStream to 24/176.4 PCM data before being sent to your DAC (religious warriors have at it)"

 

Maybe a misleading review? I'm guessing all this means is that the Bel Canto plays DSD via DoP, not that it actually converts DSD to PCM ( which would seem a dumb thing to do these days)

 

No, it converts to PCM.