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  3. 149050-1604

Computer to DAC Streamer

I am looking to get a digital-to-digital streamer for my new office system. I currently have a Sonare microRendu and that unit will move to another room once my new office system is built up. I also use ROON. I was originally considering getting a DAC with Ethernet streaming built-in but I may require a DAC with DSP and those DACs do not have this feature. I should add that the Linn SELEKT DSM streamer/DAC has Ethernet streaming and DSP but lacks the analog inputs I need (it also sounds excellent).

It has been suggested to me to buy an Innous streamer to get my music across to the DAC. However, I am trying to understand why these products are better than my current noisy computer combined with the micrRendu digital-to-digital type products. Anybody done a comparison? Is it because of noise on the Ethernet wire polluting the DAC?

http://innuos.com/en

In no particular order the following streamers have have come up in my research as being better than the microRendu I currently own (I have not heard these) :

Simaudio Mind2
https://simaudio.com/en/product/mind2-network-player/

Sonare Signiture Rendu
http://www.sonore.us/Signature-Rendu-SE.html

Auralic G2 Aeris
https://us.auralic.com/products/aries-g2

I am interested in the feedback or thought process of people who were making the same streamer decision as me. What did you guys end up getting or looking to get? I know there are a lot of lower costs alternatives and I am open to anything that will take my to the top tier sound level.

My preamp/DAC choice is looking like it will be the Anthem STR.
yyzsantabarbara
ferrox
86 posts
 
I came from Auralic Aries to LDMS..big jump of performance. You might want to search this product and if possible, audition it.
shredder's avatar
shredder
113 posts
 
I have one of the first optical versions of the Sonore Signature Rendu. Highly recommended and a huge upgrade from the Microrendu. Ultra quiet, great tone, holographic imaging, smooth but not rolled off.
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,888 posts
 
@shredder Can you explain to me how the optical version differs from the microRendu? What does OPTICAL mean in this context? I looked in the Sonare web site to figure this out but it was not clear to me.
shredder's avatar
shredder
113 posts
 
The optical version streams data from an optical network instead of an ethernet network. The optical network is easy to setup. All that is required is an ethernet to optical converter (Trendnet makes a good cheap one, Sonore has a fancier one), an optical module  that comes with the streamer,  and an optical cable (not a Toslink, however, which is not a great solution I have been told). As I understand it (and I am not tech minded), an optical cable does not carry electrical noise and thus use of such a network dramatically reduces noise in your system. I can attest to that from an sq perspective, the box is dead quite now.

As compared to the MR, the Signature Rendu (and you may already know this) is essentially  an Ultrarendu with a very high end power supply all in one box. Even without the optical solution, it sounds far better than the MR, although I found the non-optical version to be a touch bright. The Optical version is much smoother and analog sounding.


For a better explanation than I can provide, check this out: https://twitteringmachines.com/review-sonore-signature-rendu-se-systemoptique/
emcdade
95 posts
 
Go over to Computer Audiophile.  A lot of people here have no idea how this stuff even works, as evidenced by the comments so far.  Laughable to me that people would assume the junk network streamer thrown into a Directstream DAC is better than any USB output.

Anyway I will say if you already have a low noise network streamer you are heading down the path of seriously diminishing returns by upgrading the back end server to an “audio grade” component if you plan to keep the streamer in use in your listening room.

The goal here is to pass the cleanest waveform possible with the least amount of noise to the DAC section.  No magic fairie dust.
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