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ZEN Mini S vs. Small Green Computer Sonic Transporter i5 music server/Ultra Rendu Streamer

Good evening forum members.

Looking for any experience and/or opinions on these two music servers/players/streamers.

My plan is to rip 3,000 rare and collectible CDs to FLAC files or better.  I would also like to integrate Tidal and Qobuz into the mix using Roon.

The ZEN Mini S has a built in CD ripper/server/streamer ($3,548 total cost).  The SGC Sonic Transporter server and Ultra Rendu streamer bundle does not have a built in CD ripper.

I'm leaning towards the SGC Sonic Transporter/Ultra Rendu Streamer because of the following:

- Cost.  the cost for the SGC ST/Ultra Rendu option is $2,097, which includes the server and streamer, plus a linear PSU.  The ZEN Mini S is $3,548 all up (ripper, server, streamer, etc.).  This amounts to a $1,451 difference in price. 

Subtract from this difference the cost of an internal 4TB SSD ($300), an external and portable 4TB SSD ($300), dbpoweramp ripping and music management software ($75), and a USB CD/DVD drive ($75) and the difference is now becomes $701 between the ZEN Mini S and the Small Green Computer solution.  Significant.  

- My preference is to rip the CDs using my Windows laptop (no additional cost), the portable 4TB SSD, a better, well-known software package, and a USB CD drive at my desk.  This is it more significantly more convenient and ergonomically friendly to my bad back. 

My plan is to transfer the ripped files from the portable 4TB SSD to the ST i5 internal 4TB SSD in my stereo cabinet when done,  Going forward, I don't plan on buying any more CDs and will fill in the gaps and explore new music with Tidal and Qobuz.

- features on the ZEN Mini S ripping software are unknown. dbpoweramp is a well known product with a plethora of useful features.

- the CD Drive used in the ZEN Mini is $240 when bought separately.  This is significantly more than a good USB CD/DVD drive ~ $75.

My main system is a Rotel Pre-amp, Rotel Power-amp, B&W 804 speakers, an Oppo 105 SACD/DVD-Audio/CD/Blu-ray player, EAT C-Sharp turntable and a Sutherland Phono Pre-amp.

Your thoughts on anything I've discussed above?  I am not a DIY type and prefer an out of the box solution.

Thanks for your help!

Rich

 

Ag insider logo xs@2xdrlou77
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drlou77 OP
114 posts
 

@bondmanp thank you for your feedback.  I'm leaning towards the i5 over the ZEN at this point.  I need to talk to Andrew at SGC first, as I have a few questions for him.

I want to get your opinion on my approach if I go the i5 route.  My thoughts are to use dbpoweramp to start ripping my CDs to a WD 4TB My Passport SSD using my Windows laptop.  I am recovering from three spinal fractures (long story) and it's just ergonomically easier to use this set up over ripping files to the i5. 

Once I get a decent number of CDs loaded, I would transfer them to the i5 internal drive via USB.  I'd repeat the process over time to eventually rip the 3,000 or so CDs I want to stream via the UltraRendu or OpticalRendu. 

During this time I may buy a new MacBook Pro as I prefer Mac to Windows.  I know dbpoweramp comes in a bundle with both the Windows and MAC versions included.  Do you foresee a compatibility issue with the files ripped on Windows now and then a MAC in the future using different versions of the same software?  I know you're not a dbpoweramp user so it's probably not a fair question to ask.  No worries, I can contact them for information.

A couple of questions:

- do I have to subscribe to Roon before I start ripping CDs?  I don't anticipate that I will begin streaming to the UltraRendu or OpticalRendu for at least three to six months.

- since I will have all my FLAC files on the WD 4TB My Passport SSD from the original desktop rip, do I still need to purchase another 4TB SSD to back up my integrated Roon library (ripped files, Qobuz and Tidal playlists).  My guess is "yes" but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks,

Rich

 

 

bondmanp
1,829 posts
 

@drlou77 

I used an old Vortexbox appliance with Squeezebox Touch from SGC for 10 years before upgrading to the i5 and Roon.  No issues transferring files over. Ran my backup drive into the i5.  Even with USB 2, it took a couple of days.  I used to use dBPoweramp, but just don't feel the need for it.  As long as everything is in FLAC, you should be fine.  I can't speak for ALAC or Apple, though.  Yes, you should have a backup drive, or even two.

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drlou77 OP
114 posts
 

@forestg thanks.  Was not aware of the ability to upgrade to SSD on the ZENmini S.  Is this upgrade path available for the ZEN model as well?

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,702 posts
 

If going with Sonore, why not look at the opticalRendu. I had both the ultraRendu and opticalRendu and found the optical version to be superior. Much lower noise floor. Also if you go with the sonicTransporter please make sure you get the LPS (also sold by SGC). The LPS made a substantial improvement in my system. Good luck. 

forestg
31 posts
 

@drlou77  I am by no means an expert at this, nor an expert on Innuos products. 
I have been researching these very options of late, as I heard the Zen at the Capital Audio Fest and I really liked it. 
It appears that the ZenMini S is a new product from Innuos. The “S” designation signifies that it is an SSD included (as well as the 8GB memory). It also has a “power loss protection circuit”, so if you lose power, you won’t lose your music.   The other version is the “standard” ZenMini which has the HDD, but can be upgraded to the “S”. 
I did not see an option to upgrade the Zen or Zenith to SSD. 
The ZenMiniS appeared to check all the boxes for me and that will likely be my purchase. I will use it with an external DAC, but it does come with an internal one. It can also be used with Roon.  
Roon is a music management program and player. Roon will “find” your music wherever it is, provided it is all on the same network. You don’t really “load” music on to Roon. Roon also has its own backup for your Roon files. It is a vast program and one that I have only scratched the surface of. 
I hope this helps, rather than confuses. I encourage you to visit the Innuos web site if you haven’t. Same for Roon.  
In the interest of full disclosure, I also heard the Small Green Computer at Cap Audio. It was very good, as well, and Andrew was a remarkably nice and knowledgeable person. I’m just not a computer guy, hence Innuos being a little less daunting to me.

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