W4S Remedy into Sonos
Posted by: Philim on 03 March 2015
I was intrigued to see what this could do after seeing some online reviews.
After a session today my first impressions were:
Positives:
Bass is the most notable improvment. The bass seems more controlled and solid.
Space and separation seem to improve.
Trebles are less harsh.
Negs:
It may be the change in treble but the sound is a little warmer and feels like it has lost something but that may be me adjusting.
Overall the music feels smoother. Almost like my old nait xs........but better.
I think it is more how we expressed our findings. Readings Hooks explanation suggests similar findings to me. Any tweaks like these are only going to make small differences as even a bare sonos is OK.
What difference does a naim DAC make to any other?
Well different vendor DACs in my experience perform differently.. Hook was using a Naim DAC in the NDS and that will behave differently to your DAC.. This might affect how the Reclocker integrates with the DACs, thats all. FWIW the native Sonos seems to fair better natively into the Hugo than into the NDX DAC.
Simon
What difference does a naim DAC make to any other?
Well different vendor DACs in my experience perform differently.. Hook was using a Naim DAC in the NDS and that will behave differently to your DAC.. This might affect how the Reclocker integrates with the DACs, thats all. FWIW the native Sonos seems to fair better natively into the Hugo than into the NDX DAC.
Simon
Simon, Isn't this a change from your original observations where the SONOS seemed to benefit from the NDX re-clocking then to the Hugo?
I was actually talking previously about the the ability of the NDX to switch digital sources into the Hugo, and the NDX helpimg to reclock the signal into the Hugo.
What I said to Philim just now is that the Sonos appears to sound better directly into the Hugo via optical rather than in to the NDX DAC optically (no Hugo).. No doubt the difference in the DACs is the prime differentiator, but the respective reclocking circuits might have a part to play....
Simon
Got it.
Hi
I recently purchased a Sonos Connect W4S modified...
Connection is via coax into NDac...also tried optical..
After two weekends of comparisons and listening, and more to do, initial verdict is.....
Comparing the .wav files normally played thro the NDX, thro the Sonos, it is very close....where there are some subtle nuances in the music/vocals the NDX seems to breathe a little more life/detail into the sound...however the Sonos is very listenable/credible...and the coax cable Sonos to NDac is OK, but not better/best...so awaiting demo's on better cables..which may improve the Sonos sound..
Using Deezer thro Sonos is very listenable...much better then Spotify into NDX....
The Sonos App/software is excellent....maybe class leading...
Overall, well impressed at this stage...still have comparisons to do...when the UServe gets back home from repair, and when demo coax cables are available...
This last weekend was spent just listening to Sonos, no NDX....I think I could live with it....
More listening/comparisons required, however very impressed so far...NDX may be superfluous..
BR
Replaced a Chinese made CAT7 with Blue Jeans Cable USA made Belkin bonded CAT6 main cable and patch cables from distribution to gigabit switch. Blue Jeans test each on a expensive machine to guarantee data transfer and include the report with the cable. Getting verified cable seems like "THE" fundamental link from the router. BJ's ships worldwide. So with the BJC Belkin CAT6 into the SONOS/NDX/NDAC vs. the the previous CAT5e... damn enjoyable. Now, maybe a Remedy???
I own a W4S modded Sonos Connect and also a Naim 172xs. I have compared the digital output from the Sonos with 172xs. I connected the Sonos to one of the digital inputs with an Audioquest vdm5 cable. I could not hear any difference at all. I suppose the dac in the 172 could be the limited factor.
+1. I've only had three DAC's in my system...NDAC(2012), Rega DAC(latest version 2014) and NDX DAC (2013 model). All fantastic but Rega DAC equal to my ears to the NDAC and NDX DAC just a touch less dynamic than the NDAC and fun like the NDX DAC. Waiting on the 2Qute to arrive in the USA for an audition.
Have bought one with the 9v linear PS to try with Hugo so will report in good time.
G
Have bought one with the 9v linear PS to try with Hugo so will report in good time.
G
Are you expecting it to make a difference Graeme, even though the Hugo runs from its batteries?
Have bought one with the 9v linear PS to try with Hugo so will report in good time.
G
Are you expecting it to make a difference Graeme, even though the Hugo runs from its batteries?
Sorry - Have bought a W4S Remedy Reclocker with 9v linear PS to use between Sonos Connect & Hugo.
G
First impressions very favourable (and I'm only listening with the wallwart power supply as the linear PS company forgot to include the connecting cable). Sonos Connect > Chord Prodac >W4S Remedy Reclocker > Naim DC1 > Hugo.
The W4S up samples to 96KHz which turns Hugo 'Naim green', which is an added bonus!
Should get the proper PS in by next week when things have warmed up too. I'll hold off drawing serious conclusions until then.
G
For those interested in trying the Sonos/W4S Remedy/Dac streaming option I'd definitely recommend the benefits of ditching the supplied wallwart PS and getting the optional 9v linear PS on the W4S.
G
One other thing worth trying Graeme is to disable wireless on the Connect and just use a wired Ethernet link for that component.
One other thing worth trying Graeme is to disable wireless on the Connect and just use a wired Ethernet link for that component.
Thanks james n - much to my amazement I have now managed to do this!
G
In my experience a nice little bonus if you disable wifi is a halving of power consumption.
For those interested in trying the Sonos/W4S Remedy/Dac streaming option I'd definitely recommend the benefits of ditching the supplied wallwart PS and getting the optional 9v linear PS on the W4S.
G
+1, and very glad to hear to hear this purchase has worked out well for you Graeme!
I've been emailing back and forth with Remedy, and it sounds like they may be offering their own linear PS in the future. For others thinking about getting one, W4S claims that their wall wart is regulated and filtered, and should do minimal harm if plugged into the same electrical circuit as the rest of our audio kit. Nevertheless, I encouraged them to move forward, and pointed them to dealers who already offer third-party linear PSs for Remedy.
I continue to be very impressed by the sound quality and VFM from Sonos Connect/Remedy. Am growing more and more addicted to Deezer Elite as well. For example, I have one vinyl record by Charles McPherson called "Con Alma!". He's a truly great, but not well known soul jazz sax player from the mid-60's. Much to my delight, I found eight more of his albums of his last night on Deezer Elite! It was almost as good as stumbling across lost vinyl treasures in a charity shop bargain bin!
ATB.
Hook
Thanks Hook. My last link in the chain will be a naim DC1 RCA-RCA from Sonos to Remedy to replace the Chord VEE3. I already have a DC1 BNC-RCA going from Remedy to Hugo so cables will be consistent. Icing on the cake and all that.
Like you I'm enjoying Deezer Elite - especially at the £3.20 per month for 12 months it's costing me just now! I'd spend more than the year's subscription in one month on CD's or Downloads before.
Will check out your sax recommendation.
G
Much to my surprise the 'last link in the chain', the second DC1, arrived this morning (thanks TomTom) even though delivery was supposed to be week beginning 7th April!
Paused 'Alanis Morissette Unplugged' and unplugged! Out went the Chord Prodac and in went the DC1.
Resume play and, I know it shouldn't, but yes, it's better - much better. No edge or glare, timbres accurate and staging just that bit more precise.
Family out later so aural bliss ahead!
G
The Chord Prodac is a fine digital cable, but there is something about the Naim DC1 that seems so coherent and complementary to the Naim sound. That was my experience when replacing one for the other. The change elevated my W4S Sonos/V Dac to another level. Closer to aural bliss, as Graeme would say.
Put the NAS & Sonos on a separately switched ethernet link this morning so that's the new source all sorted.
Sounds waaaay better than it has any right to for the outlay and the user interface between streaming services and NAS library is so fast and clear that this will do me for now.
G
How is the Connect / W4S combo performing Graeme - still pleased ?
James