UltraRendu vs an expensive music server

[vortecjr]

There are two schools of thought: 1. Use a Newegg motherboard, filter it, and upgrade the hell out of it. 2. Start with something designed from scratch for the job. We use to build music servers and after countless hours trying different variations of the same filters and tweaks it became very expensive and a futile exercise. I was bored to tears with them and thought there had to be a better way than using a standard motherboard. Anyway, we decided to design something from scratch and eliminate everything possible on the hardware and software that was not needed in addition include a quality power circuit and killer clocking. The power supply we mostly leave up to you so you can choose the "El Cheapo" or the best power supply you can afford. 

[vortecjr]

19 hours ago, KingRex said:

Thank you Em2016.  That is interesting.  A real life head to head and the UltraRendu stood strong.   

He did put the UltraRendu on his audio rack,  correct?   I don't see it as anything other than a computer sharing its polltion with everything else.  You have a linear PS on the floor or a shelf and a customer designed stripped down purpose build computer in the rack with a 1 meter USB connected to your DAC.  Correct? ????

 

Anyhow, anyone else?  With more anecdotal evidence it may be assumed Stereophile, TAS and other publications are being quiet on the subject for a reason. 

I did not spend alot more on my unit than the UltraRendu with linear PS.  I got a demo unit from Mojo.  I am however floored by how much better my digital sounds than my very decent analog setup with some of the last software adjustments I made. If the Sonore and other similar devices are that good, well great for digital audio.

 

Also, my request for comparison are absolutely valid.  Who cares how its designed.  Its not a record player.   Its a digital device that is used to play stoored digital files or access Tidal, Spotify etc for playback. I could give a rip the design.  I only care about the musicallity of playback. Do I tap my toes, enjoy and forget the day. 

 Thanks all.

It would seem to me that the design matters.  

[vortecjr]

ElviaCaprice

2 hours ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Then there is the opposing camp, that realize your just pushing the problem further downstream with a renderer, trying to limit/correct the damage that has occurred upsteam.  Thus the recent explosion of upscale servers (and switches) with custom mobos, power supplies and even clocking, which with a bit of DIY have been preceded (see sCLK EX) to a point (mobo compromises), cost $1500-2k plus power supply.   Results, best SQ yet.

Keep it simple, go to the source.

That is a mischaracterization of what we are going. The only thing we are doing is isolating the server from the endpoint over the network and making the best possible endpoint to connect to your audio gear.  

[vortecjr]

26 minutes ago, firedog said:

People and reviewers who have heard the better Innuos and Antipodes products disagree with you. Maybe both approaches can work. Maybe Sonore is better at making renderers than it was at making servers. Several users of the Innuos MKII SE say it is the best digital they’ve heard, including having heard or owned Sonore products.

Your use of the word “period” as if this is a settled issue is incorrect. I doubt you have even heard some of the products you say with certainty aren’t as good or better than Sonore products. 

For the record and for transparency:

 

Innuos was an industry partner of Small Green Computer and they were licensing Vortexbox up until recently. Sonore had no direct dealings with Innuos.

 

Sonore is a industry partner of Small Green Computer and we are licensing Software from them. I'm also on the development team for Vortexbox and Sonicorbiter.   

 

Antipodes is an industry partner of Small Green Computer and they are licensing Software from them. Sonore is involved in this partnership. 

 

SOtM was an industry partner of Small Green Computer and Sonore and they were licensing Software and hardware from us. We also acted as distributors/dealers for SOtM until I cut ties with them.  

 

Barrows is not involved in the above partnerships except that he works as a design/build consultant to Sonore. 

 

Anyway, these approaches are very similar in software and hardware to what we use to do a few year ago. We have a lot of experience with them and we feel very comfortable discussing the pros and cons of each.

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, rickca said:

To counter this 'been there, done that' attitude, have a look at the conclusion of this review of the Zenith MK2

http://hifipig.com/innuos-zenith-mk2/

 

I have both a Zenith SE and an ultraRendu.  I enjoy them both.  The SE is much better, period.  

I'm not sure what prompted you to respond in this way. If you want to use an all in one as your source unfortunately you need to go to this extent. This is exactly what I have explained before and yes been there done that. Another example of this approach is Aurender. I'm sure you're happy with your solution and I take no issue with that. I decided to move away from a tweaked out off the shelf motherboard solutions and I really have no regrets. We are able to offer systems to customers in a much more affordable range with fanatic sound quality. Have you heard the Sonore Signature Rendu SE?   

 

On a side note: If Innous or anyone else for that matter is using Vortexbox and not paying SGC a license for it then its use makes it an illegal product.

[vortecjr]

5 minutes ago, KingRex said:

The  problem people seem to have is manufacturer reps stomping around on a people forum yarping their magistracy over all others.  Its unsophisticated, plebeian speak.  It's just plain boorish and really drives a wedge between sellers and buyers.  Barrows engenders no desire to try a Sonore product from me.  Maybe his pious attitude impresses others but the reaction to his speak on this forum should cause pause for introspection.  

Understood and point well taken. Please understand I only came in because someone mischaracterized what we are doing.