Microrendu + Sonictransporter.

Posted by: Neil H. on 21 September 2016

Hi All, 

I asked a while ago about upgrading from my Sonos (that runs into DAC V1) was thinking of a 172 at the time but someone suggested microrendu as an alternative. Done a lot of reading around and think I am gonna try microrendu with a SonicTransporter. Seems good value for what I am getting (if all the rave reviews are right) will allow me to try out Roon, which looks great (although don't like monthly fee)  and is relatively plug n play. (Which I think I need). Just need to decide if I go for the i5 SonicTransporter as my tracks are hovering around 22,000. Think it will sell pretty well 2nd hand if I do upgrade.

Would like to thank everyone who took the time to offer advice to this streaming idiot. 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 07 October 2016 by ThatsNotMyNaim
Mr Underhill posted:

Wow, what a bad run. Like you I hate digital edge, it ruins what I'm listening to and also has me listening FOR it. Trouble is that I find that some solutions not only remove that edge but also dynamics, micro and macro. The U12 was for me a bit like that. In isolation I thought it was very good, but the Audio Breeze showed it up, listening to timpanies via the AB was exciting, via the U12 good in a slightly more academic way.

Since buying the mR I have been trying to maximise the positive whilst removing that edge. I therefore went through the DDC comparison. Since then I have been playing with my system in terms of cables, inputs and supports. Two days ago I think I hit a sweet spot. Edge isn't banished, I have a few test tracks that I use ....but, it is reduced and the system's detail and dynamics are coming through strongly.

I am listening to more music, and more varied music, than ever before. Yes, if I play a good piece of vinyl that is something even more special, but my digital system is excellent - and I can now do a demo where Quboz is better than my local files/LPs, something that was never true via my Sonos; all depends on what I choose to play.

M

Hello again,

Just wanted to report some findings back.

My Gustard U12 turned up today unexpectedly early. Anyway, i'm off work, so a good chance to try it out.

Just to recap.

System: 

InnuOS Zenith (WAVs) > Various USB cables > Chord Hugo > Chord Shawline RCA > Nait XS2 > Chord Odyssey > Proac 118.

The Zenith has offered considerably large improvement over the Mac as I said. Much more realistic. No more hash, harshness. Great product and fantastic personal support. I've tried about 6 USB cables and there is notable differences with each. Supra being the easiest listen. Chord Silver Plus being bright, Lindy cheapo a bit of a nothing feeling, stock Hugo cables good all round, Curious (from Australia) being much more dimensional and 3D (you even feel the drums running under the couch). But still not fully satisfied with what I would call fully natural.

So today, the Gustard is plugged in, fresh out of the box. 

Zenith > Supra > Gustard > Stock Hugo Optical > Hugo... and so on.

Immediately the sound is much more natual feeling. Less effort. A bit more together and less separate. It's not as obvious sounding as the USB connection but in terms of sounding like the music should feel. It's much preferable. There's more feeling and less digitalness. Very obvious. The detail isn't being forced down my throat.

I'm ordering a Coax to try with this.

The Regen and LPS is enroute. But I think this SPDIF thing is very interesting. Sounds more like vinyl to me. Like a robot has been removed from the music.

Different USB cables feeding the Gustard U1w make no difference whatsoever - however they do make a huge difference direct to Hugo from Zenith.

So data is data it seems - just sometimes some components react differently to different cables.

I read that Innocent Bystander found this setup preferrable to ND5XS into Hugo. I will go to the NDX at some point. 

Posted on: 08 October 2016 by Neil H.

Hi All, 

i have now got and set up my microrendu and SonicTransporter. A few first impressions as promised.

Firstly the £177 import tax was a bit of a shock taking cost of this upgrade to around £1000. (My ignorance I know)

Setting up was fairly easy with the only confusion over having to type the 'file path' so Roon could find my NAS with my music.

Initial setup was. BTHomehub>Ethernet>WDmycloud. BTHomehub>Ethernet>switch>sonictransporter/microrendu (both connected to switch) USB>dac V1 > NAP200 >Rega R3.

Found that in this setup the streaming continually stopped with Roon saying network connectivity was interfering with tidal playback.  

I moved SonicTransporter to attach directly to BTHomehub and this seems to have sorted out this issue. (Although I did have a period of drop outs last night).

Roon seems great although not as quick at responding to commands as Sonos. Still learning all its functionality. 

Initial impressions on sound is positive. But I am gonna do a blind test against Sonos once the microrendu has settled in.