Jesus at Sonore just released the microrendu, a computer whose internals, including motherboard, power supply network and software stack were purpose-built for audiophile applications.
He worked with John Swenson and Andrew from Small Green Computers.
Now, since I was thinking of the best NAA to use in the ideal HQ Player client-server configuration, this device is a great one to use as NAA.
However, it turns out it can actually take the place of the computer in a NAS + Computer as well.
Chris has the
first part of his review over at CA.
You folks beat me on this one:
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From a few weeks ago:
EGADS! ROON has just got WAY better in my audio/home theater system!!!@@@
My ROON setup, until tonight, was as follows:
CAPSv4 (Computer Audiophile forum server, version 4), USB out. With Roonserver loaded, designated as my primary music computer for ROON, because ROON would only use the USB out from the primary music server.
iPad Pro with the iPad Pro app for ROON, used as a controller only.
Also a Toshiba laptop, with the full RoonInstaller loaded, but used only as a controller as well.
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Tonight, as I started listening to music with ROON, an auto ROON software install came up and loaded. I checked and found out the ROON version is now 1.2. And version 1.2 also has RoonBridge software, which now allows the full RoonInstaller to be installed on a computer remote, that is, from the media server that is outputting the USB music!
Now my ROON setup, as of late last night (Tuesday night) (EXCITING!) is:
CAPSv4 (Computer Audiophile forum server, version 4), USB out. With Roonserver and RoonBridge loaded, designated as a remote computer for ROON.
CAPSv3 Zuma (Computer Audiophile forum server, version 3) (modded a bit). I use this media server only for multi-channel out via HDMI using JRiver Media Center software (as ROON does not at this time do multi-channel audio). But NOW I have loaded the main RoonInstaller, the full ROON program, and I have this computer designated as primary for ROON. ROON’s database is now on this computer. This computer does all the filing, searching, internet connections, audio processing, etc now for ROON and my 2 channel audio – then the audio file goes through my wi-fi network to the CAPSv4 and out its USB. HA!
iPad Pro with the iPad Pro app for ROON, used as a controller only. Also a Toshiba laptop, with the full RoonInstaller loaded, but used only as a controller as well.
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ROON as configured prior to tonight, in my system, sounded better than JRiver Media Center 21, for stereo! By moving all the PC “work” and “processing” over to the CAPSv3, the sonic improvement is astounding and amazing!!@@@ ROON is a terrific audio playing program for audiophiles and music luvers! Its metadata capabilities alone are reason to use ROON. But its audio quality particularly when you use a separate computer for the ROON processing, etc (as I use the CAPSv3), and use a media server pretty much only to pass on the audio signal (as I use the CAPSv4), is second to none! I am blown away! I wonder how long I will stay up listening to music tonite? Its already 2 AM!
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NOW:
Sonore and also Small Green Computer just started sales of their revolutionary new product, the Sonore MicroRendu - A Revolution in Music Server Price & Quality!
Read the review at:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/co...part-1/Product for sale at Sonore’s website, also at Small Green Computer for a “whole” $640!
http://microjukebox.com/products/mic...nt=18223114884
MICRORENDU
• $ 64000
•
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Power supply
Sold Out
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Connect your USB DAC to your network.
The microRendu allows you to play music from many different network music sources on your USB attached DAC.
POWER SUPPLY OPTIONS
iFi iPower Supply - 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz, ~1uV average audio band noise floor, for USA/UK/EU/AUS electrical outlets, with Active Noise Cancellation+
SPECIFICATIONS:
AUDIO
• Supported File Formats: FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC, OGG, WMA, WMA-L, DSF, DFF
• Native Sampling Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz and 384kHz
• DSD formats: DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256
• Bit Depths: 16, 24
• SPDIF output supports: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz both in 16 bit and 24 bit
CONNECTIVITY
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet RJ45
• USB: 2 USB ports
• SPDIF: 1 optical SPDIF digital output
• Power: 5VDC input
• Network Protocols: DLNA, , Squeezebox®, Roon RAAT
USER INTERFACE
• Android: App Available Online at Google Play Store - OrangeSqueeze
• iOS: App Available Online at Apple App Store - iPeng
• Roon iOS or Android App
DIMENSIONS:
• 3.5"x2.2"x.7"
• 1 lbs
POWER CONSUMPTION:
• 8 Watts
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT:
• 0° C to 40° C
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I just ordered one! For now they are sold out.
I will be using it in my system in place of my CAPSv4 Pipeline, which I will sell. This component will be my RoonBridge, in lieu of the CAPSv4 Pipeline I am using right now for this purpose.My CAPSv3 Zuma will continue to be used for multi-channel audio over HDMI with JRiver Media Center; and also my CAPSv3 Zuma will continue to run the main RoonServer program to interface with internet music info and data and to do the processing/conversion of audio files and then send them via Ethernet to the MicroRendu which will output clean and isolated audio over USB to the rest of my system! I was hopin’ this would come about. Never expected so quick. For now, I will be using the MicroRendu with the external LPS power supply that came with my CAPSv4. Sonore is coming out with a premium LPS power supply particularly for the MicroRendu, which I plan to get once available, which should even give me somewhat improved sonics over my current LPS!
Of course the MicroRendu does not do all we need for a media server. But its the isolated Ethernet hub which outputs USB audio! This is the key. And for us Roon luvers, its RoonReady!!! Its a steal as far as I am concerned.
I have bought both of my CAPSv3 and CAPSv4 media servers from Andrew Gillis, Small Green Computer, who wrote the software for the MicroRendu. We modded and custom built my CAPSv3 Zuma and talked and corresponded a lot. Andrew is as "anal" and thorough as Amir (which says a lot). Andrew, Sonore and John Swenson wanted to use ROON, etc and outperform the CAPS media servers by providing an Ethernet connected outlet to accept the audio at whatever form (FLAC, WAV, DSD, etc), sample and bit rate, and output via USB. In the past I have found that Andrew Gillis has gave solid advice on how stuff would sound, e.g., not connecting the display on my CAPSv3 Zuma because the display on added measurable noise which theoretically negatively can impact sonic quality (a friend with a high power home theater/audio PC disconnected the display and could hear the sonic improvement - and don't no one go placebo on me!).