The Hugo of streaming?

I got frustrated with 2.5OS DLNA mode (20.6). Jesus is looking into it, but in the meantime (rather than keep switching back to 2.2 OS) I loaded Roon trial, and RoonReady mode with 2.5 OS is working  fine so far. Nice interface too!

Jesus  got it working (and on a Sunday no less). He needed some tweaking on his side. I will be listening for the next week or so to form an opinion on 2.5 and will post here!

Amused posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Amused posted:

 Is it possible to go with a single FMC as opposed to 2 FMCs (upstream and downstream)? I am kind of short with wall outlets.

 

That's a bit like saying 'I only want either a turntable of a pair of loudspeakers.' You kind of need both!

Not an expert in fiber media converters, just asking whether there's a one box solution.

acoustic revive lan isolator or etalon lan isolator, one little box solution, around 200 GBP and 350 GBP for etalon.

A $10 silver/teflon cable as recommended by a chap on another site.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2M...e:g:tJEAAOSwu1VW3XgI

(If in breach please remove the link)

The effect of these different cables powering the mR in my system is ridiculous. Adding the LPSUs to the REX/LEX was subtle in comparison.

I used the DC04 to make a DC-DC cable, and then used one of the Silver DC cables to make two cables, cutting it in half; you could double up the cables to make a quadstar, which I might do later.

LPS-1 Supplied cable:
Sounds detailed, great bass, mid-range lacks tone.

Canare DC04
Tone & timbre by the bucketful, but sounds slightly darker - bass heavier, high frequencies sound a bit attenuated. Still preferable to the standard cable.

Silver/Teflon Cable
Really very good. LPS-1 powered by an unmodified Teradak DC30W. This is a real step up on the SBooster, which has a captive DC cable.

My first impressions of the updated 2.5 OS:

With Roon trial (RoonReady mode) -

I like it. I am 'tuned' into the music. The sound is ever so slightly different from what I am used to with J River.  I am still getting familiarized to it. I have not compared to the 2.2 OS

With J River (DLNA mode 20.6) - I tire rather quickly, and feel like turning the volume down a bit! I think there is increased clarity in the sound stage but it is somehow offset by listening fatigue. This is a surprise and a rather surprising development.  For this reason and for the time being, I feel that I  prefer the 2.2 (DLNA mode 19.09) with J River MC22/DAC-V1 f/w 1.16. I find it more pleasant over extended periods - and quite engaging.

B.

Have you tried LMS (Squeezelite) mode? I find it serving LMS on my Vortexbox with 2.5 to be quite good sounding. 

Plenty of updates now available - new 1.4 board update, ultraRendu, and the new isoRegen. I'm in no hurry, but  will probably choose one or more by the end of the year. 

And check out Ghent audio for a full line of DC cables with connectors and lengths of your choice. Good stuff (Canare Quad) for not outrageous $. 

Hi CP

I have no experience with mR/LMS - I do like the Ghentaudio prices that I see and may try one of their cables at some point. I am happy with my silver plated copper cables at the moment , but I am willing to try other reasonable alternatives.

Thanks.

B.

I have a Ghentaudio cable en-route to test against my home made jobs.

I really like the music via the Squeezelite applet. Jesus updated it to the R2 version for me. If you use the C-3PO plugin in LMS you can up and down sample the music files. Unfortunately the Raspberry Pi 3 doesn't have enough grunt.

Although Jesus didn't claim it I find the 2.5 OS sounds better.

Q: Is anyone thinking of moving to the new 1.4 board ....or to the ultraRendu?

I find Sonore's approach much more supportive of their user base than SOtM.

M

I am not going to jump on the 1.4 board.  I did upgrade to 2.5OS.  Actually I am contemplating selling some of my gear to fund a speaker purchase.  

I am coming to the realization that less is more for me and my music taste.  I am finding the higher up the audio chain I am going that I am enjoying the music less.  When critically analyzing a change or "what" I am hearing I love the Sonore and my Gumby.  When stepping back to just enjoy the music these components are too resolving and my music that sounds good is less amd less. For examply I enjoy the iFi PSU better than the TP, even though the TP is smoother and more audiophile.  (One example of many I am experiencing).  

Does that make any sense?

I also find TP  on mR boring compared to the 'bouncy' iFi - however the TP 7/2  works well with the Uptone Audio USB Regen>TEAC UD-501 combo.

I have no immediate plans of upgrading the mR.

I find just the opposite. For me, the TP 7/2 transformed the sound of the microRendu very much for the better. I had previously used the iFi which ultimately did not impress me at all. Strange how  our tastes can differ so much. My experience is that the sound with the TP is both smoother (for the better) and more analogue sounding rather than more 'audiophile' sounding.

I do not intend to upgrade to the 1.4 board or to the ultraRendu in the near future, largely because my main streamer/DAC is, and is likely to continue to be the Linn Klimax DS/1. However, I wonder if I can draw on your collective experience with the mR for some advice. I am afraid I haven't followed the mR forum thread for some while and so am a little out of touch? I am currently still running OS 2.2. Can you save me some time by telling me what I need to do in order to update from OS2.2 to OS 2.5, and what benefits (if any) are delivered by the update?

Any advice appreciated.

I do not think there is any disagreement re: TP -'..smoother (for the better) and more analogue sounding..'  Is it more engaging/exciting?

 You have to purchase the 2.5 OS ($20). Sonore sends a new micro SIM by mail! If you are using the DLNA mode my advice would be - caution, (please see my comments above)! If not - then probably worthwhile as others have noted.

^That was intended to read 'microSD' card - a link for purchase was sent by e-mail a while back.

Thanks for the info, Brilliant.

I guess that at a price of around $20 I might as well buy the OS update and give it a go. If I don't like it, it should be a simple matter of slotting 2.2 back in again.

Thanks.

Hmack posted:

I find just the opposite. For me, the TP 7/2 transformed the sound of the microRendu very much for the better. I had previously used the iFi which ultimately did not impress me at all. Strange how  our tastes can differ so much. My experience is that the sound with the TP is both smoother (for the better) and more analogue sounding rather than more 'audiophile' sounding.

I do not intend to upgrade to the 1.4 board or to the ultraRendu in the near future, largely because my main streamer/DAC is, and is likely to continue to be the Linn Klimax DS/1. However, I wonder if I can draw on your collective experience with the mR for some advice. I am afraid I haven't followed the mR forum thread for some while and so am a little out of touch? I am currently still running OS 2.2. Can you save me some time by telling me what I need to do in order to update from OS2.2 to OS 2.5, and what benefits (if any) are delivered by the update?

Any advice appreciated.

 

I find I enjoy the mR with iFi when utilizing it with my valve amp.  I prefer the TP when going into the analog input of my qute. (To be specific)

Hmack posted:

Thanks for the info, Brilliant.

I guess that at a price of around $20 I might as well buy the OS update and give it a go. If I don't like it, it should be a simple matter of slotting 2.2 back in again.

Thanks.

 

I use the MPD/DLNA interface. There are some of us having issues with this. Jesus knows about it and is working on it. I have done some serious experimentation with 2.5OS. 

I switched her back to 2.3. The other connections methods seem to be fine. 

I have been using the Uptone Audio USPCB A>B adapter between mR & DAC-V1 over a period of three days. The familiar tracks sound to me like another micro-layer of 'hardness' in the mid to high frequencies has been banished , thus sounding even more natural when compared to my custom USB cable. Out of the box the lowest frequencies felt a bit more 'rounded'/less defined than I am used to, but got better when I switched the unit's (very tiny)  VBUS switch from 'OFF' to 'ON'.   My USB cable has no VBUS, and I am not sure why that would matter with this adapter. I will play with the switch again after a week or two of usage to double check if it really has the effect. Could it be the missing link?

Uptone claims it is 'better than any USB cable' and more:

"Carefully designed with a 4-layer circuit board, we took into account even the mass of the connectors and the widths and thicknesses of the traces. So this new adapter perfectly preserves signal integrity and impedance match."

=? , USB, 90 ohms? not specified! Physically it looks like an amateur job for finish, but the fit is good and it functions. All in all looks like  great value so far. 

I am not rushing to the 1.4 or ultraRendu, as I am enjoying what I currently have and feel no immediate need to change. But I do appreciate that Sonore have made the upgrade path possible, good customer support.

Hmack, I did find the OS update worthwhile, I am using LMS.

I have been making some minor mods:

1. I find the mR is very sensitive to the DC-DC cable from the LPS-1. Most recent update is to use a silver/teflon wire in StarQuad formation with a EMI/RFI protective mesh. Cheap and good result: and
2. LT3045. These boards regulate the DC removing ripple noise. I could use these at three points in my system:
a) StarTech LEX (5V)
b) StarTech REX (required voltage too high)
c) microRendu (Now a 1A version of the board is available, so I will be installing one in a couple of weeks)

http://www.linear.com/product/LT3045

The noise floor drops another notch. The character of your system doesn't change, but details that were before almost perceived now come into clear focus. These are the sorts of changes that friends and family simply wouldn't notice, 'Your system sounds great, but it always has'; any audiophile WILL, and be very pleased.

The cable & LT3045 are DIY, buying the bits etc.

M

What feeds the LPS-1 can also make a difference. I am quite satisfied with my direct setup PC/mR/DAC-V1 (fixed out) that it is currently beside the vinyl TT in my main system. Quite a feat in tweaks, but it has me dancing hours on end!

Thanks for the feedback on the 1.4 board upgrade. Planning on doing this myself soon - it sounds like the biggest bang for the buck as far as upgrading goes. Would love to get an Uptone USB hard adapter but no idea how I can hang the mR off the back of the V1 without moving it further from the wall and building some kind of Rube Goldberg contraption to keep it from sagging. Using Ghent audio cables - great value and now making all kinds of DC power cable iterations as well as ethernet and USB. 

I have not upgraded the mR, and I am not sure I will. The USPCB adapter I am testing is staying put - quite recommended!

PS - I might get the ultra later on once I get another setup going.

Oops, somehow I misread. But from the accounts I've read, the 1.4 upgrade gets one 90% to the Ultra. 

Measured behind my V1 and might be able to get the mR (at a 90 degree twist so) behind it. How do you support yours? Mine would be hanging in the air. Did you also do the 90 degree option on the USPCB? 

When I have something that I like - I keep it. I have made many 'upgrades' in the past that just did not satisfy, so I am cautious that way. Numbers have to translate into my own personal satisfaction! If they returned the 1.3 board (which they do not)  then I would consider it.

It is an experimental setup at the moment, the  V1 is on a large TT shelf and the mR/USPCB is supported by a foam spacer . It is horizontal ( i.e. not the 90 degree option you are considering) as shown in the (poor) photo below.