Ha, knew that would get your attention!
I was using my UQ1 for streaming only purposes to the DAC V1 via a good s/pdif cable, but was never entirely happy with the set up, esp as the UQ was mostly going to waste. My budget wasn't much, and I didn't want to just move over to another streamer, esp as the asynch USB on the V1 is one of its main features, and supposedly better sounding than coax. I considered a Mac Mini, but then started reading over on the Computer Audiophile forum raves about the forthcoming Sonore microRendu. So last week I got in on the second batch and have had one up and running since Friday with an iFi power supply until I get a proper linear power supply for it (probably the upcoming Uptone LPS based on charging ultracapacitors).
For those not in the know, the microRendu is about the size of a small flip phone, only connects ethernet in and USB out, and runs a small custom linux OS on an sd card that is accessed headless with a really simple and easy GUI. It was built with low noise hardware and the best sound throughput as the top priority. Took all of under five minutes to set up. It has several modes: Squeezelite, DLNA (regular and open home), NAA Roon/HQ player mode, airshare and I think maybe one other. I have mine running in upnp mode from my Vortexbox using the Lumin app as a controller. Currently also running Roon as a trial, but for what it costs and the hardware requirements its not for me at the moment. Cool app though, esp if you have a big collection.
From the moment I plugged the microRendu in I knew that it was game over. And it just keeps getting better as it burns in; I also added an Atlas Element USB cable that sounds really nice for the price. I think the likes of already fringe companies like Aurender and Auralic have got to be more than bit worried about what these even more fringe upstarts are doing. I'm not really the best person to be doing comparisons because I've never had the $ to change out gear like some do, or work my way up a heirarchy like Naim. But it really is extraordinarily impressive, made my old set up sound "broken" even (and I thought it sounded pretty damn good). I never thought I would have a hifi this good due to $. Lots of talk in hifi about "inky blackness" which I've never really experienced until now. Reverb esp - its like it just floats out into an empty void. A bit disconcerting at first actually! Also the balance is perfect - voices are right where they should be, piano sounds totally natural (the true test imo), nothing recesses or comes forward in any strange way. I was experiencing some fatigue before and now that's history. The only fatigue now is from staying up to late listening to music nonstop!!
So, if you're looking at streaming options and have a dac (or plan on getting one), then you should check out the mR. Imo its' this years Hugo - a serious game changer, at least as far as where USB audio is at. For me it's all I'll ever need in that regard. And the UQ is now happy and wonderful sounding where it should be, in my basement office, utilizing all of its functions. 
SamS posted:............
Now, if Uptone made their USB adapter with a micro plug for my Hugo, I might be persuaded to have a go.
Just been on the CA forum and this is apparently in the pipeline. Didn't even have to ask. Excellent news !
SamS posted:SamS posted:............
Now, if Uptone made their USB adapter with a micro plug for my Hugo, I might be persuaded to have a go.
Just been on the CA forum and this is apparently in the pipeline. Didn't even have to ask. Excellent news !
ha! i wrote Uptone earlier today to ask this very question -- for i, three days after receiving the A to B model, just bought a Hugo 2...
(hangs hifi-addicted head in shame.)
(i'm really excited to hear what the Hugo 2 brings to the party vis a vis my current 2Qute!)
SamS posted:Thanks for all the feedback/suggestions chaps.
If I do try a Far East LPS it may well be the Zero-Zone as it certainly appeared the most robust in my search and confirmed as such on the CA thread. But I am wavering, as like Charles my Naim gear is on a separate spur with any SMPSs on the main house ring, so there may be little benefit.
But my main aim in all this, apart from acheiving good SQ, is to also try and keep things simple, which is what led me to the microRendu in the first place - replacing a SB Touch and Regen with one small box. Lots of dangly bits in the USB chain is not really where I want to go. So although as Mr U has found there are gains to be had, I just cant see myself going down that hole. Thanks, but he USB Chain Topic thread scared the hell out of me.
I think I will be content for the moment to enjoy the improvments the 1.4 board has brought, knowing that should the itch strike, there are areas to explore.
Now, if Uptone made their USB adapter with a micro plug for my Hugo, I might be persuaded to have a go.
I bought the Zerozone SUPER-PSU 30VA DC9V 2.7A from the Far East seller sn... (he answered my emails the fastest!)
I have been trying it out on the Ultracap LPS-1 powering the new ISO Regen in my setup! It works well, but it has to have a short DC cable, IMO. I find a 1 ft silver plated 18 awg copper of the wire I usually use to be okay. The same cable at double that length - NO.
PS - I do not have a dedicated spur for audio, so if you have one - YMMV when trying to sub the Mean Well for a LPS!
Updated DAC-V1/PC hookup utilizing the Sonore and Uptone Audio magical units mentioned above - nice!
I am using the Rev 2.2 f/w DLNA mode with the mR. Thanks to all the input here and at CA!
ATB
B.
A case of the disappearing pic above
Brill - you have been busy. Good to know that the Zerozone is working as expected and that you are getting good results from the IR.
So now all that's needed is either the 1.4 board upgrade or UltraRendu to let us know it the IR becomes redundant 
, which I really hope it would. As mentioned above I don't want to be tempted by more boxes in the chain.