SoTM - SMS -200 Network Player.

Posted by: Bob the Builder on 14 January 2018

Does anyone have experience with the SMS - 200? I've been looking for a renderer to go with my 2Qute for a while now but as my MacBook sounds ok haven't rushed into anything.  I've tried a Raspberry Pi and although  it sounded better than my Mac >>2Qute and is incredible vfm it just didn't gel. The GCC I tried next was again fantastic vfm and really easy to use but sonically it wasn't for me.

I've considered a MacMini and lately an NUC mini computer but think a dedicated renderer is what I'm really looking for of which there are three that fall into my price point the Auralic Aries Mini , Sonore MicroRendu and on paper my favourite the SoTM SMS-200 all of which come up used for around the £300 mark.

I also considered possibly trading in my 2Qute for a new Qutest and carry on using my Mac as a renderer but with services to my 300 and 300 PS due I need to keep the cost down

 

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by DrPo

Hi Bob, no experience but I am too searching to add a streaming unit to my study system (which now requires a PC as renderer). I had resolved  for an Aries mini but the quality of the SOtM, the fact that it has no redundancy (no DAC) and some reviews I have seen have convinced me to go that way. And I prefer to buy from a dealer with local presence (SOtM does have one) than import from the US (Sonore). So decision taken but yet to be executed:-) 

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by Eloise

Have you considered alternatives to the RPi?

Allo's USBBridge or Cubox might offer something above RPi without the expense of the SotM.

Just an alternative...

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by Bob the Builder
DrPo posted:

Hi Bob, no experience but I am too searching to add a streaming unit to my study system (which now requires a PC as renderer). I had resolved  for an Aries mini but the quality of the SOtM, the fact that it has no redundancy (no DAC) and some reviews I have seen have convinced me to go that way. And I prefer to buy from a dealer with local presence (SOtM does have one) than import from the US (Sonore). So decision taken but yet to be executed:-) 

I'm pretty sure Elite Audio sells the SOtM too they have an online store and also an eBay store.  Hope I'm within forum guidelines here as this is just a heads up nothing more.

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by Bob the Builder
Eloise posted:

Have you considered alternatives to the RPi?

Allo's USBBridge or Cubox might offer something above RPi without the expense of the SotM.

Just an alternative...

Thanks Eloise I'll look it up.

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by t@rmac

I have a sms-200 /Teddy Pardo psu   connected via usb to the  dac-v1 / Nap 200  ......streaming via Nas (Minimserver) with Mpd

Great sound  ,  very controlled......perhaps  sometimes  little crude  (  V1 pre section is very minimal  ) ....... would deserve a Nac 202    

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by Sloop John B
DrPo posted:

Hi Bob, no experience but I am too searching to add a streaming unit to my study system (which now requires a PC as renderer). I had resolved  for an Aries mini but the quality of the SOtM, the fact that it has no redundancy (no DAC) and some reviews I have seen have convinced me to go that way. And I prefer to buy from a dealer with local presence (SOtM does have one) than import from the US (Sonore). So decision taken but yet to be executed:-) 

Sonore make the Rendu series, a competitor to SoTM. 

I use the ultraRendu into my DAC. Very happy with it. 

 

.sjb

Posted on: 15 January 2018 by DrPo

Hi SJB, my plan is to use the SOtM network “bridge” to experiment with a “network bridge” + separate DAC” solution, first in my small office system.

Eventually I think this should be the way to go for my main system as well where currently the NDX plays both roles at the same time but does not seem to me to be a long term solution (several threads  elaborating this point on this forum).

In the later case the ultra Rendu or the upper level SOtM product or the dSC stand-alone network bridge could be considered, although I do hope that NAIM will share this viewpoint and come up with a high caliber pure network bridge (no ripping, no DAC) solution themselves.