Optical vs Ultra Rendu.
Is it worth the $696 more to go with the optical Rendu:
Over the standard (ethernet connected) ultra Rendu:
Has anybody compared these units, is there a notable difference in sound quality between these two? Both still connect to the DAC via USB.
rooze - Interesting read, thanks. Could I trouble you for a link to the optical units you purchased from Amazon? Also, what are you using for a music server? Do you have any idea what the alternative "one box solution" is, as mentioned at the end of the review? |
FWIW, last fall I upgraded my digital chain from a VBA to Sonic transporter i5, UR, and SGC LPS. I use the switch SGC recommended, a $22 Trendnet. My system always seemed quiet, before and after upgrade. I did not try OR. My DAC lacked USB, which I was happy living without until the UR arrived, requiring a USB DAC. Long story short, none of DACs I tried (4 DACs priced from $500 to $1300) sounded as good as my old DAC. The solution was the SGC USB to S/PDIF adapter. Pricey at $500, but everything sounds pretty good now. I will say that this digital chain is more revealing and less euphonic than the old set up, so I can now differentiate between really good recordings and not so good ones. Honestly, I miss the euphony a bit. I might try that iFi power supply for the switch. |
Hello thanks for the info I spent $1500 on the New Reference Excellent Final Touch Audio USB cable for my dac, ,which is a Huge step up from the AQ Diamond ,WWorld platinum 8 , purist 30 anniversary and several others 2x as much ,their $900 Callisto-usb I still have and has many great reviews ,I spend also $800 on their Ethernet cable which is exceptional ,I never thought Digital cables can bring my system this close to Analog sounding without loosing detail. these Sonore optical cables are $1200 each x2 is Thst correct? plus you need a how many Ethernet cables 3 ? from modem to router, then from router to the Sonore Ethernet to fiber optic converter, then another Sonore on the other end ,since I am 10 meters away we are talking $2500 just for 2-Sonore Sonore Ethernet to fiber converters , plus at minimum IFIAudio wall warts for AC power, if linear then another $1k for 2 $$$ , 7nless I am missing something somewhere , Thanks for the assistance 👍
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@high-amp Sorry...VBA is a generic term for any dedicated computer running Linux with Vortexbox server software. Before the Sonic Orbiter and Sonic Transporter products, Small Green Computer sold Vortexbox appliances, pretty cheaply, I might add. My first music server, in 2011, was a SGC VBA, for under a grand. My satisfaction with this server and with SGC were important factors in my decision to upgrade to the Sonic Transporter i5. The support from SGC is excellent. |
