Article: Sonore microRendu Review, Part 1

[hornytoad]

So I assume Roon can be used with HQ player with this device? I see Roon and HQ player as outputs but can they both work together.

[ted_b]

So I assume Roon can be used with HQ player with this device? I see Roon and HQ player as outputs but can they both work together.

 

The uRendu is an endpoint for these (if you allow me to call HQP NAA an endpoint). You need to put Roon and HQPlayer on a computer (or Roon on your NAS or SonicTransporter, and HQPlayer on a pc, for example).

[agillis]

So I assume Roon can be used with HQ player with this device? I see Roon and HQ player as outputs but can they both work together.

 

You can only have one output active at a time Roon or NAA (HQplayer). HQplayer can be configure with Roon as an input. So you would enable NAA on the microRendu and then set HQplayer as your output in Roon.

 

Roon -> HQplayer -> microRendu (NAA mode)

[rrwwss52]

Planning ahead for receiving my microRendu. I set up some full time cooling for it, so heat won't be an issue. Is the device vulnerable to vibration?

[Doak]

Planning ahead for receiving my microRendu. I set up some full time cooling for it, so heat won't be an issue. Is the device vulnerable to vibration?

Mine has been running most of 3 days and it gets barely warm to touch.

Power is at 8.3v.

Powered by iFi @ 9.4v it got a bit warmer but nothing like "hot."

[rrwwss52]

Mine has been running most of 3 days and it gets barely warm to touch.

Power is at 8.3v.

Powered by iFi @ 9.4v it got a bit warmer but nothing like "hot."

 

Thanks for the reply Doak.....my microRendu is going on a cabinet shelf, so I wanted to be extra safe. I will be using the iFi 9V power module. I can't tell from the photos, but are there little feet on the underbelly of the case?

[Doak]

Thanks for the reply Doak.....my microRendu is going on a cabinet shelf, so I wanted to be extra safe. I will be using the iFi 9V power module. I can't tell from the photos, but are there little feet on the underbelly of the case?

Sonore supplies a set of 4 teeeeny stick on rubber "dot feet" as an option for those who wish to use them. Look for the teeeny zip lock bag.

[barrows]

Thanks barrows.

 

I do get that, but since Chris had made the comment about it in his system, and I'd read some of his other reviews, I was curious whether he was using it as a $650 unit (ie with an ifi or whatever) or a more expensive unit (ie with a high end power supply) in order to say it was the best he'd heard in his system.

 

 

 

I know these things are subjective but 'Performing quite well' with affordable supplies doesn't appear to me to be enough to better all other streamers that have been tested in Chris' setup, so I'm guessing a much higher end PSU was used.....

 

Chris' review states that he used the µRendu with the power supply supplied by Sonore. The supply Sonore provided him was a pre-production version of the Sonore Signature supply. Circuit wise, the supply he used is identical to the production supply, with the only difference being that the pre-production sample he used just a had a little pigtail DC cable made of 18 AWG, silver plated copper wire. The production version of the Sonore Signature Supply comes with a custom (made by Cardas) DC cable which plugs into the supply using a Neutrik Powercon connector.

[scintilla]

I'm having a hard time grasping what real-world improvement this could make over a direct-connected USB input to my DAC from my iMac, which is in another room about 15ft away. Doesn't an XMOS interface offer some electrical isolation already? Is the claims that a modern computer is generating so much noise that leakage though USB/firewire ground plane is going to reduce fidelity by a great degree? Teach me here, I'm open and I have a run of CAT6 going to the system, for the SBT already. I gather I could just use a hub with the existing network cable in order to provide a path to both the SBT and optionally to the rendu for Roon/HQP use. Aren't there opto-isolators on the market for USB that would accomplish the same thing?

[alice]

Why is the mini pc so expensive, I mean what way is this different to my Pipo 8 that I got for $100, apart form the fact that Pipo has a 8 inch touchscreen and dual OS and wifi, etc

[hifi_swlon]

Sonore is making a Signature Power Supply for the µRendu. Chris used a pre-production version of this for his review. Actual production versions of this supply should be shipping next week. The supply is built to order, in the US, and may take a little while to deliver (there are already some orders pending). This supply is designed specifically to get the best possible performance out of the µRendu.

 

Quoting from the microRendu topic, I see now that the article does very briefly mention the above power supply being used, although initially I didn't notice, and there's no mention of its cost, which perhaps wasn't known at the time of the article. I see it's now listed on the Sonore website as costing $2,399 (USD).

 

That means the total cost of the microRendu source as reviewed was actually $649 + $2,399 = $3,048

Hopefully this will be made clearer in the Part II, as it could possibly be construed as a bit misleading as it stands - finishing with a quote about it being the best sounding source ever heard, followed by a price tag of $649 - when in fact the system including the PS was more than 4x that.

 

That's still an amazing accomplishment if it beats something like the Aurender W20, but I still think its fairer to clarify.

 

Am looking forward to receiving mine to try with the ifi, and I really hope there's a subjective comparison between powering it with the ifi and the above Signature PS in the next part.

 

[Lcocozza]

So I assume Roon can be used with HQ player with this device? I see Roon and HQ player as outputs but can they both work together.

 

 

The integration with Roon happens before the output.

If run HqPlayer by itself or integrated with Roon the output will be NAA.

So the answer is ye, Roon and HqPlayer work really well together.

[sandston]

I'm having a hard time grasping what real-world improvement this could make over a direct-connected USB input to my DAC from my iMac, which is in another room about 15ft away. Doesn't an XMOS interface offer some electrical isolation already? Is the claims that a modern computer is generating so much noise that leakage though USB/firewire ground plane is going to reduce fidelity by a great degree? Teach me here, I'm open and I have a run of CAT6 going to the system, for the SBT already. I gather I could just use a hub with the existing network cable in order to provide a path to both the SBT and optionally to the rendu for Roon/HQP use. Aren't there opto-isolators on the market for USB that would accomplish the same thing?

 

 

How does this fit in the audio chain? What can it do on its own? What I think would be beneficial for us less versed in this field is some pictures of how this is used with all the typical software and hardware components we all use. For instance, how do I seem tidal? Do I have to have the Tidal app or tidal web app residing on a separate computer or can this be done native?

[The Computer Audiophile]

How does this fit in the audio chain? What can it do on its own? What I think would be beneficial for us less versed in this field is some pictures of how this is used with all the typical software and hardware components we all use. For instance, how do I seem tidal? Do I have to have the Tidal app or tidal web app residing on a separate computer or can this be done native?

patience sandston. part 2 will come soon enough :~)

[Distinctive]

patience sandston. part 2 will come soon enough :~)

I also hope to see a comparison between the uR stock PS vs the custom made one if this is possible?

[Hoo Fighter]

I think the power supply cost is $1,399, not $2,399....

 

SONORE Signature Series Power Supply

[barrows]

 

Quoting from the microRendu topic, I see now that the article does very briefly mention the above power supply being used, although initially I didn't notice, and there's no mention of its cost, which perhaps wasn't known at the time of the article. I see it's now listed on the Sonore website as costing $2,399 (USD).

 

That means the total cost of the microRendu source as reviewed was actually $649 + $2,399 = $3,048

Hopefully this will be made clearer in the Part II, as it could possibly be construed as a bit misleading as it stands - finishing with a quote about it being the best sounding source ever heard, followed by a price tag of $649 - when in fact the system including the PS was more than 4x that.

 

That's still an amazing accomplishment if it beats something like the Aurender W20, but I still think its fairer to clarify.

 

Am looking forward to receiving mine to try with the ifi, and I really hope there's a subjective comparison between powering it with the ifi and the above Signature PS in the next part.

 

 

Typo, actual price of the Signature Power Supply is $1399.00, and combo deals may be available. This supply is in a beautiful custom made in the USA chassis, and comes with a very nice custom made (by Cardas) DC cable. This level of parts quality adds up quickly. Additionally, the supply is designed to offer the best performance possible, using a custom made discrete regulator circuit, for the µRendu. Considering the much higher cost of products which can compete at the same sound quality level, the combined price is totally reasonable.

[Lcocozza]

Mine has been running most of 3 days and it gets barely warm to touch.

Power is at 8.3v.

Powered by iFi @ 9.4v it got a bit warmer but nothing like "hot."

 

Hi Doak,

 

Have you got any experience with the Sonic Orbiter SE? if so, could tell the main audio differences from the microrendu.

 

Cheers

 

Luiz

[agillis]

Planning ahead for receiving my microRendu. I set up some full time cooling for it, so heat won't be an issue. Is the device vulnerable to vibration?

 

Solid state. no problems with vibration.

[agillis]

Thanks for the reply Doak.....my microRendu is going on a cabinet shelf, so I wanted to be extra safe. I will be using the iFi 9V power module. I can't tell from the photos, but are there little feet on the underbelly of the case?

 

 

There are small Sorbothane feet that come with it.

[Cycleman]

There are small Sorbothane feet that come with it.

 

I often find any kind of adhesive pad, or feet, that stick to a metal box that gets warm to be an inadequate solution.

 

Over time, the warmth dissolves the pads' adhesive, which causes two problems: the pads don't hold and the box gets sticky.

 

I pretty much never use them.

[rrwwss52]

Sonore supplies a set of 4 teeeeny stick on rubber "dot feet" as an option for those who wish to use them. Look for the teeeny zip lock bag.

 

Thanks Doak...Appreciate the info.

[sockpit]

"I too would to know more of the hows and whys

 

Originally Posted by

scintilla

I'm having a hard time grasping what real-world improvement this could make over a direct-connected USBinput to my DAC from my iMac, which is in another room about 15ft away. Doesn't an XMOS interface offer some electrical isolation already? Is the claims that a modern computer is generating so much noise that leakage though USB/firewire ground plane is going to reduce fidelity by a great degree? Teach me here, I'm open and I have a run of CAT6 going to the system, for the SBT already. I gather I could just use a hub with the existing network cable in order to provide a path to both the SBT and optionally to the rendu for Roon/HQP use. Aren't there opto-isolators on the market for USB that would accomplish the same thing?

 

 

 

How does this fit in the audio chain? What can it do on its own? What I think would be beneficial for us less versed in this field is some pictures of how this is used with all the typical software and hardware components we all use. For instance, how do I seem tidal? Do I have to have the Tidal app or tidal web app residing on a separate computer or can this be done native?"

 

 

I started the "microRendu for Dummies" thread for folks like me interested enough to learn about and even try--mine is in the mail--but not well-versed in the jargon and technicalities of networking. May our tribe increase . . .

 

Those with elementary questions about the concept, getting started, etc. are very welcome to pose their questions there. Have learned a lot in the past few days.

 

Sockpit

[Doak]

Thanks Doak...Appreciate the info.

I have it on a cellphone "sticky pad" which does a good job of keeping it "planted."

So far this setup appears to doing/working fine.

[Dev]

Typo, actual price of the Signature Power Supply is $1399.00, and combo deals may be available. This supply is in a beautiful custom made in the USA chassis, and comes with a very nice custom made (by Cardas) DC cable. This level of parts quality adds up quickly. Additionally, the supply is designed to offer the best performance possible, using a custom made discrete regulator circuit, for the µRendu. Considering the much higher cost of products which can compete at the same sound quality level, the combined price is totally reasonable.

 

Leaving the cost behind for a second (though its as important), could you provide some insight as to why not use a Uptone JS-2 with microRendu rather than the Sonore ? The JS-2 has an additional flexible output, choke-filtered and has greater amperage. What does the JS-2 lack that Sonore Signature provides to power the microRendu ? I am just trying to understand the two supplies better tailored to my current and future needs.