Who Owns An OpticalRendu, What Did It Replace? And Do You Own The Entire System Optique?

[TubeLover]

As the title says, I'm curious as to who amongst the members here owns the OpticalRendu, whether you own the entire System Optique, and what they replaced. Any thoughts regarding your experiences with it, and comments on performance versus other things you have used previously would also be most interesting to the general audience here, I would think. There has been a lot of discussion on this topic, here and elsewhere. .

 

JC

[Mike Rubin]

I have an optical version of the Signature Rendu SE and the optical module.  The latter is powered by one tap on a Wyred4Sound LPS.  The SE plays into a Wyred4Sound 10th Anniversary DAC.  I inherited a few bucks, so I stretched a bit and replaced a microRendu and a Wyred4Sound DAC 2 DSD SE with these pieces.  The microRendu itself replaced a SOTM SMS-1000 server a couple of years before the latest upgrade.  (The source is a Synology DS218+, the amplification is a Wyred4Sound STI-500 original version, and speakers are Revel F32’s.  Router is an ASUS R-AC87R and switches are Netgear GS Series unmanaged.  Power comes through a PS Audio Power Wave 10.  I don’t have Roon, Tidal, or Qobuz, so I use JRiver, other DLNA, and LMS servers and appropriate controllers.)

 

Each upgrade has produced remarkably better sound and, currently, my system sounds better than it ever has by any measure you could name.  The optical module just by itself made a surprisingly big difference after using a TPLink FMC, especially with respect to bass reproduction and general clarity.  My living room is not set up for proper imaging (and to preserve my marriage it never will be), but I now have a much wider soundstage than I had.  Bad speaker placement also limits the amount and quality of bass, but I have more and better low end as I have moved up the Sonore product ladder.  Noise is nonexistent, even when the volume is up.  Pace is improved, with percussion having greater impact, as well.  Good recordings sound better than they have and bad recordings still sound bad, which generally is a desirable paradigm.  I also love that the rendus have played every file format that I have natively.  Not sure what to add beyond these generalities.

 

There are downsides of which any potential buyer should be aware.  Connectivity to DAC’s can be dicey, a problem noted by other posters on the Sonore sponsored forum here.  Both  Rendus from time to time have had a tough time making the handshake with the half dozen DAC’s that I have swapped out in troubleshooting and experimenting, although the worst of those problems was a DAC issue, not a rendu one.  Restarting either of the rendus after a firmware update, a power failure, a network reboot, or a cable or equipment swap has proven an adventure, requiring a specific power-on sequence, re-saving the controller software in the rendu settings, and restarting the server software, which may or may not recognize the rendu as an active server.  Sometimes the software says music is playing but no sounds emerge from the amp, in which case I have to go through the entire restart sequence again.  Be patient and it eventually restarts.  

 

It’s not nearly foolproof as pushing a button to startup a CD player or a server like the SoTM, but keep this in mind:  I spent more than I could afford in order to replace my first rendu with another rendu, knowing full well about these issues, simply because, at the time, my system never sounded better than with the original rendu doing the heavy lifting.  Also, Sonore stands behind the products and offers advice promptly when you do run into snags.

 

I haven’t heard the regular opticalRendu, but I gather that it sounds remarkably close to the Signature version for a lot less money, especially if you also use the Sonore-branded power supply.

 

In short, I highly recommend these products to those patient enough to endure their peccadillos.  I think they sound fabulous, at least in my system.

[TubeLover]

Thanks for your thoughts, Mike. And especially the mention of the potential DAC connectivity issue with certain DAC's. Perhaps, as we hear from other OpticalRendu/System Optique owners, will understand more about what specific DAC's people have had problems connecting with.

 

JC

[Ralf11]

initial connectivity to the DAC?  each time it is powered up?  or continual issues while playing music?

[Mike Rubin]

26 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

initial connectivity to the DAC?  each time it is powered up?  or continual issues while playing music?

 

Mostly when powering up.  It usually keeps a connection, once made, until interrupted by a need to boot up for whatever reason, although it occasionally will just stop after a random song partway through a playlist or album.  

 

Also, and this is a DAC issue and not a rendu one, some XMOS DACs have a problem with mixtures of 16/44 and 24/44 files, of which I have many.  That problem routinely would break the connection between rendu and DAC.

[vortecjr]

You can read a review here on Positive Feedback:

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sonore-signature-rendu-se-system-optique/

 

[rickca]

2 hours ago, vortecjr said:

You can read a review here on Positive Feedback:

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sonore-signature-rendu-se-system-optique/

 

Quote from this Tom Gibbs review

My ears tell me that the Signature Rendu SE is the finest streamer currently available, regardless of price.

 

Nice, but I've never seen him review a streamer from anyone other than Sonore.  He reviews such high end equipment as AudioEngine A2+, iFi AC iPurifier and Audioquest DragonFly. 

[TubeLover]

So, there is only ONE person in the forums here who owns an OpticalRendu and/or complete System Optique???

 

JC

[jabbr]

There’s a long thread in the Sonore section, and perhaps people aren’t as interested in reposting?

[vortecjr]

On 9/2/2019 at 12:21 PM, rickca said:

Quote from this Tom Gibbs review

My ears tell me that the Signature Rendu SE is the finest streamer currently available, regardless of price.

 

Nice, but I've never seen him review a streamer from anyone other than Sonore.  He reviews such high end equipment as AudioEngine A2+, iFi AC iPurifier and Audioquest DragonFly. 

The take away from me is that Tom Gibbs likes the Sonore Signature Rendu SE  optical a lot:)  

[vortecjr]

On 9/4/2019 at 1:05 AM, TubeLover said:

So, there is only ONE person in the forums here who owns an OpticalRendu and/or complete System Optique???

 

JC

There is plenty of feedback in my sponsored section on the opticalRendu, opticalModule, both together, and even mismatching with other gear.

[TubeLover]

17 hours ago, vortecjr said:

There is plenty of feedback in my sponsored section on the opticalRendu, opticalModule, both together, and even mismatching with other gear.

I understand, Jesus. I simply thought putting this topic out on the "General Forum" and asking specifically what the OpticalRendu/Optical module replaced for users might reach a wider audience than otherwise. 

 

Also, I've read the majority of the discussion on your forum, and it almost constantly goes into side bar discussions of the best types of fiber optic cables, the best fiber transceivers, ethernet switches, which power supplies, etc. and a lot of things that only add confusion. More than a few members here that I have discussed it with, and I, have had that same feeling. And it would honestly have helped myself and a couple of others to eventually make the decision as to whether to upgrade from UltraRendu's. 

 

And congrats for the very positive review at Positive Feedback. Your products always deserve the kudos.

 

JC

[charlesphoto]

FWIW, I have a Sonore chain of tow opticalModules flowed up by a microRendu 1.4 powered with a Sonore Power Supply (with an SR Black fuse add on). It currently sounds so good, I can't even imagine what stepping up to an opticalRendu would bring. I will someday, but the original (upgraded) microRendu just keeps getting better and revealing more and more with each addition of better power and cabling I add to it. I do think the opticalModules are the secret sauce, and I noticed a big jump in sq going from powering the unit pre mR with an LPS-1 to an LPS-2 (the first one post switch is powered with an HDPLEX 100). 

 

If you already have an UltraRendu, and funds are limited, I would say keep it and invest in either a pair of opticalModules, or one and a switch with fiber out. And the Sonore Power Supply with an upgraded fuse is a must if you don't already have a high quality power supply for the Ultra (I preferred the Uptone on the opticalModule). Then you can add the opticalRendu down the road if you want. I'm a firm believer that we need to move away from all of this planned obsolescence in electronics and stuff, and so unless you want to take a drubbing selling off your Ultra, keep it for now and upgrade the network and power around it, that way that infrastructure will be there when you upgrade to something better (and there will always be that if you just wait). 

[TubeLover]

On 9/6/2019 at 9:11 AM, charlesphoto said:

FWIW, I have a Sonore chain of tow opticalModules flowed up by a microRendu 1.4 powered with a Sonore Power Supply (with an SR Black fuse add on). It currently sounds so good, I can't even imagine what stepping up to an opticalRendu would bring. I will someday, but the original (upgraded) microRendu just keeps getting better and revealing more and more with each addition of better power and cabling I add to it. I do think the opticalModules are the secret sauce, and I noticed a big jump in sq going from powering the unit pre mR with an LPS-1 to an LPS-2 (the first one post switch is powered with an HDPLEX 100). 

 

If you already have an UltraRendu, and funds are limited, I would say keep it and invest in either a pair of opticalModules, or one and a switch with fiber out. And the Sonore Power Supply with an upgraded fuse is a must if you don't already have a high quality power supply for the Ultra (I preferred the Uptone on the opticalModule). Then you can add the opticalRendu down the road if you want. I'm a firm believer that we need to move away from all of this planned obsolescence in electronics and stuff, and so unless you want to take a drubbing selling off your Ultra, keep it for now and upgrade the network and power around it, that way that infrastructure will be there when you upgrade to something better (and there will always be that if you just wait). 

Charles, thanks for your thoughts on this. But the only switches, with fiber out, that  I've seen recommended for use in networks associated with audio, seem to cost a fortune. Is there an affordable one I've missed? I have almost free access to used, older Cisco corporate network switches, but I'm not sure they would be usable?

 

JC

[charlesphoto]

8 hours ago, TubeLover said:

Charles, thanks for your thoughts on this. But the only switches, with fiber out, that  I've seen recommended for use in networks associated with audio, seem to cost a fortune. Is there an affordable one I've missed? I have almost free access to used, older Cisco corporate network switches, but I'm not sure they would be usable?

 

JC

 

Used Cisco 2960 would be your best bet. That said, you may need to console in to get the SFP to work (be sure to use a Cisco or aftermarket Cisco coded SFP). I couldn't get the SFP on my 2960 to send internet for some reason so went for a second opticalModule instead. Considering my 'poor man's' Sonore setup (compared to say their RMAF signature setup) the sound quality is out of this world, and a large part of that imo is the oM's. 

[TubeLover]

On 9/8/2019 at 10:31 AM, charlesphoto said:

 

Used Cisco 2960 would be your best bet. That said, you may need to console in to get the SFP to work (be sure to use a Cisco or aftermarket Cisco coded SFP). I couldn't get the SFP on my 2960 to send internet for some reason so went for a second opticalModule instead. Considering my 'poor man's' Sonore setup (compared to say their RMAF signature setup) the sound quality is out of this world, and a large part of that imo is the oM's. 

Would a used Cisco 2950 work as well? I may have free access to those.

 

JC

[soares]

On 9/8/2019 at 10:31 AM, charlesphoto said:

 

Used Cisco 2960 would be your best bet. That said, you may need to console in to get the SFP to work (be sure to use a Cisco or aftermarket Cisco coded SFP). I couldn't get the SFP on my 2960 to send internet for some reason so went for a second opticalModule instead. Considering my 'poor man's' Sonore setup (compared to say their RMAF signature setup) the sound quality is out of this world, and a large part of that imo is the oM's. 

I managed to use it without console.

Meanwhile I ordered a oM to replace the Gtek.

I expect to receive it tomorrow.

I hope it works :-)

Best,

Jorge 

[TubeLover]

I have access to Cisco SFB's. I'm being asked if I need single mode or multi mode?

 

JC

[soares]

On 9/11/2019 at 2:52 PM, soares said:

I managed to use it without console.

Meanwhile I ordered a oM to replace the Gtek.

I expect to receive it tomorrow.

I hope it works :-)

Best,

Jorge 

Wonderful upgrade. !W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! :-)

I truly advice the oM. Will try this weekend an LPS-2 feeding the oM, instead of the Jameco.

Cheers Guys!

Jorge  

[soares]

1 hour ago, TubeLover said:

I have access to Cisco SFB's. I'm being asked if I need single mode or multi mode?

 

JC

I am sorry, bon vivant!  I can't help you with computer jargon.

The Cisco I mentioned earlier works with the oM.

Bonne chance,

Jorge     

[TubeLover]

7 minutes ago, soares said:

I am sorry, bon vivant!  I can't help you with computer jargon.

The Cisco I mentioned earlier works with the oM.

Bonne chance,

Jorge     

Thanks anyway Jorge, I'm sure someone will have the answer.

 

JC

[charlesphoto]

1 hour ago, soares said:

Wonderful upgrade. !W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! 🙂

I truly advice the oM. Will try this weekend an LPS-2 feeding the oM, instead of the Jameco.

Cheers Guys!

Jorge  

 

Oh, you will be doubly amazed with an LPS-2 on there. 

[soares]

13 minutes ago, charlesphoto said:

 

Oh, you will be doubly amazed with an LPS-2 on there. 

Crossing my fingers Charles! :-)

[soares]

On 9/13/2019 at 5:41 PM, charlesphoto said:

 

Oh, you will be doubly amazed with an LPS-2 on there. 

Oh yes! I really was.

This is fantastic LPS-2 + oM!

Cheers, Jorge

[Mike Rubin]

On 9/13/2019 at 2:41 PM, charlesphoto said:

 

Oh, you will be doubly amazed with an LPS-2 on there. 

Kinda confused here.  Are you referring to an Uptone LPS 1.2 or are you referring to a different linear power supply?