Breaking the $30k threshold: REVIEW New Reference Network Streamer Server for $15k

[Ted Denney III]

Our new Voodoo Streamer Network Server utilizes proprietary power supply, ground, and high-frequency filtration technology first developed for our $65,000 PowerCell SRX line conditioner. This suite of Synergistic Research noise reduction technologies was adapted and refined to complement the highest performance PC engineered for audio applications. All told, Voodoo delivers a digital streaming experience that meets or exceeds the best of vinyl from a server that must be auditioned alongside the world’s most expensive servers.

Synergistic Research Voodoo Streamer Server Review

Our design goals:

• Meet or exceed the sound quality characteristics of vinyl while streaming from Qobuz.
• Maintain the same design language as other Synergistic Research active components.
• Address the apparent compression previously believed to be inherent to the digital format—namely, spatial compression, and if possible, exceed the spatial characteristics of vinyl and tape while eliminating any high-frequency haze or grit without loss of detail.
• Cool the server with zero fans for zero noise.

 

[facten]

This was more like listening to and watching him reading ad copy than providing a review with hands on insights and critical assessment and comparison.

 

[Ted Denney III]

This was more like listening to and watching him reading ad copy than providing a review with hands on insights and critical assessment and comparison.

Nice way to cast an unwarranted aspersion on this review. SR had absolutely nothing to do with this review process, zero. We invite everyone to compare the Voodoo to any other server on the market, regardless of price. In fact, we have a video series coming out where we will do exactly that. People will decide for themselves whether or not this is the highest-performance, most analog-sounding network streamer server on the market today.

 

[facten]

Gee, I didn't know that I needed to get clearance from you to post my assessment of the quality of his review. It was obvious he was reading throughout, watch his eye movement and periodic hesitations, and most of his commentary was product info he got from "somewhere". I didn't state anything about the product itself now did I that your feathers are all ruffled. You're entitled to your view of the quality of his review is and so am I.

 

[ssfas]

Our new Voodoo Streamer Network Server utilizes proprietary power supply, ground, and high-frequency filtration technology first developed for our $65,000 PowerCell SRX line conditioner. This suite of Synergistic Research noise reduction technologies was adapted and refined to complement the highest performance PC engineered for audio applications. All told, Voodoo delivers a digital streaming experience that meets or exceeds the best of vinyl from a server that must be auditioned alongside the world’s most expensive servers.

Synergistic Research Voodoo Streamer Server Review

Our design goals:

• Meet or exceed the sound quality characteristics of vinyl while streaming from Qobuz.
• Maintain the same design language as other Synergistic Research active components.
• Address the apparent compression previously believed to be inherent to the digital format—namely, spatial compression, and if possible, exceed the spatial characteristics of vinyl and tape while eliminating any high-frequency haze or grit without loss of detail.
• Cool the server with zero fans for zero noise.

View attachment 145159View attachment 145158

Seems like a perfectly reasonable personal subjective opinion about this piece of kit.

The IT history could have been limited to "I've been doing IT for 22 years".

Says absolutely nothing about the technical aspects, objectives etc. Doesn't even explain if it's just a streamer (as he uses external storage and a Roon server) or whether it does any server duties internally. Failing to actually describe what the product does is an epic fail in my book. As I use an Innuos Pulsar, which is much the same ethernet in USB out, I would have liked to hear about how the usb has been optimised, for the Pulsar it's about 20% of the cost of the unit. Also, what processing is it doing that it needs such an elaborate cooling system?

I do question his network.


Like this chap, I also have a 75' fibre cable from my modem and I run a network totally isolated from the rest of the house. The only things wired to the music network (192.168.2) are the Pulsar streamer and a Buffalo library. The MacAir and iPad are connected as controllers.

So why does this guy put the Roon server processor and music library on the hifi side of the fibre optic? That's two devices and AC power supplies feeding into the switch on the hifi side. If he put those things on a switch on the modem side of the fibre optic he could just plug the cable from the FMC directly into the streamer. There would be no need for the router or switch.

 

[PYP]

Seems like a perfectly reasonable personal subjective opinion about this piece of kit.

Agreed. A good introduction, which would seem to be the objective of the review. The new SR streamer is very stylish (to my eyes) and sits at a good price point vs. the competition.

He is actually reviewing three pieces. That doesn't invalidate his opinion, but it will be interesting to read about the comparative reviews that simply switch out the various streamers.

I really enjoy the SR switch and am looking forward to trying out its companion piece, the SR router. But they will be supporting my streamer/DAC, which isn't going anywhere.

 

[ssfas]

Agreed. A good introduction, which would seem to be the objective of the review. The new SR streamer is very stylish (to my eyes) and sits at a good price point vs. the competition.

He is actually reviewing three pieces. That doesn't invalidate his opinion, but it will be interesting to read about the comparative reviews that simply switch out the various streamers.

I really enjoy the SR switch and am looking forward to trying out its companion piece, the SR router. But they will be supporting my streamer/DAC, which isn't going anywhere.

The website blurb starts:
“The Voodoo Streamer Server began with the intention of overcoming the last significant barrier separating digital audio from the best turntables and reel-to-reel tape decks.”

That’s what the subjective opinion focuses on, which is a clue to it being an informercial, and a bit odd given lots of potential customers are likely digital-only. For everyone of those, the blurb is irrelevant. Personally, I don’t compare the two, even though I use them equally.

I’ve just read the entire blurb on the SR website and, besides saying it’s Roon Ready and has some colour-coded EQ (sounds like a gimmick), it really tells me nothing about the product. It rambles on about tech from other products, none of which I know, so is meaningless to me. It does tell me the following:

- 25% of the cost is for a cable and fuse
- another chunk of money is for brass top plates, which are purely for aesthetics
- “the entire chassis acts as a massive heat sink to dissipate the considerable heat generated by its powerful Linux computer”

I have a power cable and fuse. Do I have to spend $4,000 on these surplus items?
In my stack the brass would be invisible.
Why does this unit need a high-powered computer? What is it doing?c

I would like to know something about the operating system, what is onboard, is it an HQ Player endpoint?

 

[Ted Denney III]

Getting ready to rip a new motorcycle—MV Agusta Brutale 1000RR. And let me tell you, this thing is sublime. 208 hp, 405 pounds dry. Need to get some more miles on it before I take it to a track next weekend. Anyway, I don’t have time to respond in a pointed way to the above diatribe, so I’ll just cut and paste this from my Facebook page, and return later today. Enjoy!



Gentlemen, start your engines! The Synergistic Research Voodoo streamer server is set to redefine what’s possible in music streaming.

Our journey began with a months-long quest to surpass the leading $30,000+ servers from Europe, the USA, and Korea. But that was just the qualifying session. Our ultimate goal was to take pole, to outperform our reference $100,000 turntable rig and, if possible, to reach parity with our $60,000 reel-to-reel tape deck. This Herculean task consumed over a year of relentless refinement, innovation, and investment of capital.

The result? Synergistic Research is on pace to take the Constructors Cup. The Voodoo is the first digital component to truly bridge the gap between characteristic flat digital sound and the holographic, living, breathing “you are there” analog experience - without vinyl’s noise floor, to sound like tape when streaming on Qobuz! It’s digital audio with an analog soul, at half the price of the $30,000+ European model widely considered the best in the market.

Experience the revolution yourself on our upcoming YouTube channel where we will compare not only the Voodoo streamer server to the world’s best, but also other Synergistic Research products to competition at 2X our retail price.

1. Watch our upcoming YouTube comparisons between Voodoo and top-tier $30,000+ servers.
2. Download our raw files so you can hear the difference on your own high-end audio systems or headphones.

No one does Voodoo like we do. Are you ready for digital to finally deliver on its promise of Perfect Sound Forever?

 

[ssfas]

I was thinking a comparison with Innuos Zen Next-Gen. It costs $14,000 with 2tb SSD and PhoenixUSB output installed.
A little bit cheaper, no fancy cable included, but it does have fantastic proprietary control and 0/S software.

 

[audio.bill]

With all due respect it seems like this thread should be considered product advertising and charged appropriate fees.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ah, right, less than stellar comments here on the review and how it was scripted and presented, are a "diatribe", and this product is the first to bridge from "sterile digital to living breathing holographic analog".
Diatribe and hyperbole in one neat thread.
I'm liking it!

 

[ssfas]

Ah, right, less than stellar comments here on the review and how it was scripted and presented, are a "diatribe", and this product is the first to bridge from "sterile digital to living breathing holographic analog".
Diatribe and hyperbole in one neat thread.
I'm liking it!

The vast majority of people including audiophiles gave up on analogue 30-40 years ago for digital only. Many still keep away from analogue, even if it has made a bit of a comeback. Taking a starting point that digital is sterile has been a false premise for decades.

My general perception of hifi is that it takes 5-10 years for any major new technology, for example CD or streaming, to mature. After that it's usually fiddling at the edges or different packaging. HiFi streaming sort of got going in the UK in 2008, so 15+ years ago. I bought a Linn Akurate in 2010. I almost bought a Meridian Sooloos a few years earlier, but was put off by the 500gb storage limit and the screen wobbled when I scrolled it. So excuse me for being a little wary of a claimed game-changing product in a mature streaming market with many highly regarded products available.

 

[spiritofmusic]

The vast majority of people including audiophiles gave up on analogue 30-40 years ago for digital only. Many still keep away from analogue, even if it has made a bit of a comeback. Taking a starting point that digital is sterile has been a false premise for decades.

My general perception of hifi is that it takes 5-10 years for any major new technology, for example CD or streaming, to mature. After that it's usually fiddling at the edges or different packaging. HiFi streaming sort of got going in the UK in 2008, so 15+ years ago. I bought a Linn Akurate in 2010. I almost bought a Meridian Sooloos a few years earlier, but was put off by the 500gb storage limit and the screen wobbled when I scrolled it. So excuse me for being a little wary of a claimed game-changing product in a mature streaming market with many highly regarded products available.

My digital is far from sterile, indeed it led the way to me finding some solutions and serious money spent to get my vinyl to finally compete and mainly surpass.
And I still love CD.
I'm always tickled when a digital solution claims it has the jump on vinyl, tape even.
I'd call that hyperbole, juxtaposed with the diatribe that Denney is exclaiming here.
Regarding the industry and most consumers/audiophiles migrating to digital/steaming, that's true, but it's a whole other argument.

 

[Lee]

The vast majority of people including audiophiles gave up on analogue 30-40 years ago for digital only. Many still keep away from analogue, even if it has made a bit of a comeback. Taking a starting point that digital is sterile has been a false premise for decades.

My general perception of hifi is that it takes 5-10 years for any major new technology, for example CD or streaming, to mature. After that it's usually fiddling at the edges or different packaging. HiFi streaming sort of got going in the UK in 2008, so 15+ years ago. I bought a Linn Akurate in 2010. I almost bought a Meridian Sooloos a few years earlier, but was put off by the 500gb storage limit and the screen wobbled when I scrolled it. So excuse me for being a little wary of a claimed game-changing product in a mature streaming market with many highly regarded products available.

I think if you grew around CD playback, you might as an audiophile feel that it takes 25-30 years for the technology to mature.

 

[PYP]

Taking a starting point that digital is sterile has been a false premise for decades.

A very recent TAS review used this same description. I don't experience this at home, but I have found it true that streaming takes extra care to eliminate what may be multiple sources of noise. Since these don't seem to be measurable yet (John Swenson has stated measuring would require a hefty investment in equipment and time), we experiment to find the right blend of "solutions." Given all networks are different, the specifics of the solutions are different and can range from adding an LPS to a router, to multiple active and passive filtering devices. It is rather confusing.

But, when noise reduction reaches a certain point, streaming is very musical. Since digital, vinyl and tape all have different distortion profiles (there must be better terminology), they will not and cannot sound the same. But, presumably, significantly reducing the noise and other issues inherent in each format will yield a musical presentation. Preferences for a particular distortion profile continue for each listener, thus What's Best differs.

 

[Lee]

A very recent TAS review used this same description. I don't experience this at home, but I have found it true that streaming takes extra care to eliminate what may be multiple sources of noise. Since these don't seem to be measurable yet (John Swenson has stated measuring would require a hefty investment in equipment and time), we experiment to find the right blend of "solutions." Given all networks are different, the specifics of the solutions are different and can range from adding an LPS to a router, to multiple active and passive filtering devices. It is rather confusing.

But, when noise reduction reaches a certain point, streaming is very musical. Since digital, vinyl and tape all have different distortion profiles (there must be better terminology), they will not and cannot sound the same. But, presumably, significantly reducing the noise and other issues inherent in each format will yield a musical presentation. Preferences for a particular distortion profile continue for each listener, thus What's Best differs.

I agree. Streaming can be spectacular sounding once the noise gremlins are under control.

 

[microstrip]

With all due respect it seems like this thread should be considered product advertising and charged appropriate fees.

In fact, it was charged the appropriate fees. See the WBF TOS: (I quote)

20. A dealer, distributor or manufacturer who is not currently in an advertising relationship with the forum may not post a price, quantity or other term of sale or transaction for, or describe with specificity, a product, component or service.

 

[XV-1]

In fact, it was charged the appropriate fees. See the WBF TOS: (I quote)

20. A dealer, distributor or manufacturer who is not currently in an advertising relationship with the forum may not post a price, quantity or other term of sale or transaction for, or describe with specificity, a product, component or service.

Is there a point to this post?

Synergistic are advertising on the front pages of WBF

 

[twitch]

LOL, the fact that 'Voodoo' is in the name tells me all I need to know ...........

 

[Ron Resnick]

This was more like listening to and watching him reading ad copy than providing a review with hands on insights and critical assessment and comparison.

Hi facten,

I was not planning to watch this video, because I am not interested in exploring streamers. But I watched it literally for you, to see if I agree with your assessment.

1) Robert Taylor is way more expert in computer stuff and networking stuff then your average high-end audio reviewer of streamers and digital playback.

2) Yes, it would be nice if Robert compared the streamer directly to another streamer, and ideally to a similarly priced streamer. Unfortunately it seems like few of the reviews from TAS and Stereophile are direct comparative reviews anymore. (Michael Fremer's reviews often still are comparative, fortunately.)

3) The fact that Robert reported (according to his personal subjective sonic preferences) that he generally preferred music playback from the streamer and local files to music playback from his LP playback set up is interesting. It is probative. I don't find many people preferring their digital set up to their vinyl set up.

At least this video is a comparison of something. This is more than we typically get from magazine reviews these days.

4) I think you are applying to this particular video standards which would indict most reviews by the magazines today.