Article: Sonore microRendu Review, Part 2

[timtom]

+1. It's a keeper IMO. Love it!

[Dev]

No, that is an oversimplification that misses the uRendu point. This is a complete redesign of the USB handshake like you may have never heard before...

 

I agree its a oversimplification but what is this redesign of USB handshake you are talking about ? And handshake between whom ? the DAC and microRendu ?

[Veovis]

Before you question, play critic or start recommending other products please at least have actually listened to this product.

 

Fair enough. I was just sincerely curious about what the mR does that other renderers don't and my sceptisism is based on my own experiences with the USB interface, not with the mR itself. Network renderers have been around for about a decade and they pretty much all are computers built for the sole purpose of processing audio. The review to me suggests that the mR is the first product based on that design concept.

 

Anyway, your input has got me intrigued. Thanks!

[Freann]

Design concept: there is a differens between idea and execution.

 

Most (all?) other similar product are based on generic motherboards with “custom” software. You could look at them as a repackaged computer.

 

What makes the microRendu different is that the actual hardware is custom made. The core components – CPU and RAM chips etc – are of course standard items, but the mother board is completely unique with non standard ancillary circuits and selected components. It also has an onboard Regen.

 

The microRendu is a highly specialized do-one-thing-well machine.

[firedog]

FNetwork renderers have been around for about a decade and they pretty much all are computers built for the sole purpose of processing audio. The review to me suggests that the mR is the first product based on that design concept.

 

Anyway, your input has got me intrigued. Thanks!

 

They may be conceived of for that purpose, but few are built/designed - including the boards, OS, etc., - solely for that purpose. The mR is one of the few that is.

[macassar]

Is here anybody from Germany/Munich whom i could contact via mail or phone and ask him/her something about this topic. I've some really simple questions i don't want to ask in this forum. Nothing dramatic but fundamental. You can send me a message here. Thx Roland

 

my actual configuration is Macmini - Pure Music - QB-9 - Amp

[EricW]

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the sound quality of the Microrendu to a local digital source such as the Melco N1A playing files from the internal disk drives and with direct USB connection to the DAC? I am curious if avoiding potential noise from a router or other devices on a network is necessary for best possible sound. Thanks.

[d_elm]

You can isolate the microRendu from the wired network with two MC200CM, or similar, and a cat7 cable into the mR. See the "Network Isolation" thread on CA.

[barrows]

You can isolate the microRendu from the wired network with two MC200CM, or similar, and a cat7 cable into the mR. See the "Network Isolation" thread on CA.

 

And remember, the network connection is already "isolated" by specification, even without additional gizmos...

[Markhh2]

You can isolate the microRendu from the wired network with two MC200CM, or similar, and a cat7 cable into the mR. See the "Network Isolation" thread on CA.

 

Here r 2 methods of network isolation.

 

Electrically Isolate Your Networked Audio | AudioStream

 

LANRover USB Transporter | PS Audio

[impeth]

Hello Chris!

 

A comparison of microRendu with the new SoTM sMS-200 would be very interesting as well!

 

Thanks!

[MNG]

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the sound quality of the Microrendu to a local digital source such as the Melco N1A playing files from the internal disk drives and with direct USB connection to the DAC? I am curious if avoiding potential noise from a router or other devices on a network is necessary for best possible sound. Thanks.

 

I have my mRendu connected to the network through the Melco, so it benefits from some degree of isolation via the Melco. The sound quality of the two is really very close when connected in this way and by USB into the DAC. I haven't tried connecting the mRendu directly to the network or using my Synology NAS just because the Melco does such a good job.

[Craig Dolnick]

Please ignore. Unable to delete my posting (so have to settle for this edit).

[The Computer Audiophile]

Here r 2 methods of network isolation.

 

Electrically Isolate Your Networked Audio | AudioStream

 

LANRover USB Transporter | PS Audio

 

The LANRover isn't an Ethernet isolation device. It's a USB extension.

[Craig Dolnick]

And wouldn't the result with the mR be somewhat dependant on the USB implementation on the DAC side?

 

The implementation of any input always plays a major role. The mR, however, will allow that DAC's USB implementation to work at its full potential.

[Craig Dolnick]

Is a network (switch or router) required? If yes, which one (a switch or router)?

 

I am asking, because I would like my laptop to directly feed the microRendu, running PonoMusicWorld's version of JRiver.

 

My flac files are stored on my laptop's SSD.

 

Can I run an Ethernet cable directly from my laptop to the microRendu?

[vortecjr]

Is a network (switch or router) required? If yes, which one (a switch or router)?

 

I am asking, because I would like my laptop to directly feed the microRendu, running PonoMusicWorld's version of JRiver.

 

My flac files are stored on my laptop's SSD.

 

Can I run an Ethernet cable directly from my laptop to the microRendu?

 

There is some information about this topic here. However, I have not tried PonoMusicWorld's version of JRiver and have not feedback from customers on it.

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f26-sonore-sponsored/sonicorbiter-direct-connection-mac-pc-beta-28606/

[miguelito]

I've been following only casually (sorry) but if someone could indulge with a sentence, what does this do that an Auralic Aries doesn't? (I asked in the part 1 review) i.e. apart from SQ, why is it the hottest thing? I'm worried I've missed something basic.

HQPlayer's NAA

[sgr]

Hi,

I own the MicroRendu and a friend owns the Airies. We've not done a shoot out but we both have excellent systems and I've long enjoyed his Airies. When he added a Regen it brought it up to another level. But the MicroRendu sounds awesome in my system. It's probably system dependent.

 

Airies comes with a nice linear power supply which some choose to replace. MicroRendu is not supplied with a linear power supply. The better the linear power supply one supplies, the better the sound. I had a HD Plex available so I used it. The new UpTone Audio LPS-1 is supposed to be one of the best. I have one ordered so I'll know soon.

 

The reason I bought the MicroRendu? I use ROON and HQPlayer and that enables one to use the MicroRendu as an NAA for HQPLAYER. To me that's a big advantage. My system sounds awesome when I connected it this way.

 

Airies is rumored to be programmed soon with an NAA option but this rumor has been around for a while and nothing's happened. If it had the NAA option I'd go with the Airies.

 

Airies has its own proprietary operating system called Lightning but can also work with ROON. . It seems very good and easy to use. Airies seems to always be synched with his network and always ready to play. My MicroRendu seems to be temperamental and needs restarted but whether it's the problem, ROON, or HQPlayer, or a bit of all three who can tell?

[miguelito]

I own the MicroRendu and a friend owns the Airies. We've not done a shoot out but we both have excellent systems and I've long enjoyed his Airies. When he added a Regen it brought it up to another level. But the MicroRendu sounds awesome in my system. It's probably system dependent.

Yes, surely it is system and DAC dependant.

Airies comes with a nice linear power supply which some choose to replace. MicroRendu is not supplied with a linear power supply. The better the linear power supply one supplies, the better the sound. I had a HD Plex available so I used it. The new UpTone Audio LPS-1 is supposed to be one of the best. I have one ordered so I'll know soon.

I have an Uptone JS-2 with which I power a mini (via the MMK), and I use the secondary output to power a W4S USB Reclocker (which reclocks the mini USB out).

 

When I get the microRendu I will connect it directly to the DAC using the secondary JS-2 supply (so no reclocker) and use it as an NAA.

 

The reason I bought the MicroRendu? I use ROON and HQPlayer and that enables one to use the MicroRendu as an NAA for HQPLAYER. To me that's a big advantage. My system sounds awesome when I connected it this way.

Can you comment on the stability and sound quality of this combo please?

Airies is rumored to be programmed soon with an NAA option but this rumor has been around for a while and nothing's happened. If it had the NAA option I'd go with the Airies.

Yes... I asked on this forum about two years ago...

Airies has its own proprietary operating system called Lightning but can also work with ROON. . It seems very good and easy to use. Airies seems to always be synched with his network and always ready to play. My MicroRendu seems to be temperamental and needs restarted but whether it's the problem, ROON, or HQPlayer, or a bit of all three who can tell?

I use Aries with Roon as a RoonSpeaker, and it works very well - but no NAA so no HQP upsampling... I really don't like the restarting bit you're talking about... Roon+HQP out of the same computer is very stable for me. Is it the use of NAA that interferes?

Thx.

[sgr]

I own the MicroRendu and a friend owns the Airies. We've not done a shoot out but we both have excellent systems and I've long enjoyed his Airies. When he added a Regen it brought it up to another level. But the MicroRendu sounds awesome in my system. It's probably system dependent.

---End Quote---

Yes, surely it is system and DAC dependant.

---Quote---

Airies comes with a nice linear power supply which some choose to replace. MicroRendu is not supplied with a linear power supply. The better the linear power supply one supplies, the better the sound. I had a HD Plex available so I used it. The new UpTone Audio LPS-1 is supposed to be one of the best. I have one ordered so I'll know soon.

---End Quote---

I have an Uptone JS-2 with which I power a mini (via the MMK), and I use the secondary output to power a W4S USB Reclocker (which reclocks the mini USB out).

 

When I get the microRendu I will connect it directly to the DAC using the secondary JS-2 supply (so no reclocker) and use it as an NAA.

 

 

---Quote---

The reason I bought the MicroRendu? I use ROON and HQPlayer and that enables one to use the MicroRendu as an NAA for HQPLAYER. To me that's a big advantage. My system sounds awesome when I connected it this way.

---End Quote---

Can you comment on the stability and sound quality of this combo please?

 

---Quote---

Airies is rumored to be programmed soon with an NAA option but this rumor has been around for a while and nothing's happened. If it had the NAA option I'd go with the Airies.

---End Quote---

Yes... I asked on this forum about two years ago...

 

---Quote---

Airies has its own proprietary operating system called Lightning but can also work with ROON. . It seems very good and easy to use. Airies seems to always be synched with his network and always ready to play. My MicroRendu seems to be temperamental and needs restarted but whether it's the problem, ROON, or HQPlayer, or a bit of all three who can tell?

---End Quote---

I use Aries with Roon as a RoonSpeaker, and it works very well - but no NAA so no HQP upsampling... I really don't like the restarting bit you're talking about... Roon+HQP out of the same computer is very stable for me. Is it the use of NAA that interferes?

[miguelito]

What's people's experience with NAA from HQP? Is it rock solid?

[miguelito]

Airies is rumored to be programmed soon with an NAA option but this rumor has been around for a while and nothing's happened. If it had the NAA option I'd go with the Airies.

Auralic's customer service tells me there's no current plans to incorporate NAA in the Aries firmware.

[The Computer Audiophile]

See who/what received the product of the year!

 

Computer Audiophile - CA's 2016 Products of the Year

[Vangelis]

Hi Chris, the path showed for your review was; NAS > Cisco Switch > microRendu > Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB > Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference. I was wondering what USB cable you used?

Thanks