Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

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CN211276
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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

savvypaul wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:42 pm

The optical rendu is getting a lot of praise. Some saying that it surpasses other end points at £2k plus. There also seems to be an option to add optical modules to my existing rendu. I'll do a bit more digging on that

The optical rendu is apparantly a development of the micro rendu and ultra rendu. Would be interested in finding out if optical modules can be added to the micro.

I found that a Sbooster brought about a bigger improvement to the micro rendu than to the Qutest and Mscaler. This was surprising as the PS with the latter was the supplied one. The MCRU which was powering the Quteat has taken my Topping E30 to a different level. I was not fully aware of the importancde ot PSs to digital components. I am sure that better ones would reap more benefits, but I have reached the point of diminishing returns.
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savvypaul (Sun Jul 25, 2021 6:58 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »



This provides good information about the Sonore opticalrendu. It is certainly a big departure from the micro and ultra and I doubt if they could be modified to accomodate optical. My understanding is that the opticalrendu can connect directly to a Cisco switch. This would save the expense of the module and and its power supply.
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savvypaul (Mon Jul 26, 2021 2:24 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

antonio66
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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by antonio66 »

Sorted https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224532203420 ... Swv7Fg7IG5

if you prefer to keep your present dac https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144125288120 ... SwkW5g~Cus

Sorry they are expensive, but how much is the MScaler? and they will sound nice with NVA amps and speakers :grin:

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

antonio66 wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:46 am Sorted https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224532203420 ... Swv7Fg7IG5

if you prefer to keep your present dac https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144125288120 ... SwkW5g~Cus

Sorry they are expensive, but how much is the MScaler? and they will sound nice with NVA amps and speakers :grin:
A new Mscaler, following a loan, cost me less than what is in the second link and the first sums up what is going on at the moment with streaming components. Have you seen the prices of Innuous components which are being hyped on forums. Their switch is beyond taking the piss.

For me DACs, streamers and pre amps should be kept seperate for the best SQ and VFM. The down side is the number of boxes and cables, not to mentionn PSs.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by antonio66 »

I understand what you are saying about dac's and pre's being separate, but my brother's Rossini, at least for me sounded better playing through his power amp, than going through his Audio Research Ref 5 pre, which costs close to £10K, so one big box was removed from the system

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

For those in the market for an affordable NOS R2R DAC and disappointed by the price-rise on the Denafrips Ares II, then help is on the way from Chi-fi manufacturer Musician and their new Draco DAC.

Image

Available for under 600 pounds via AliExpress.
Info here:

http://m.musician-audio.com/en/pd.jsp?mid=1166&pid=13
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slinger (Sun Aug 08, 2021 12:02 am) • artsenna (Sun Aug 08, 2021 12:43 am)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by artsenna »

Just curious. How would you compare the Ares ll to the Tera Dak 4.5.
Cambridge Audio CXC/ASUS TB S/Jolida Glass FX3 DAC/NVA SSP coaxial
Project RPM4/Graham Slee Gram Amp 2SE
MF X80/NVA A40/Metaxas Audio Enosis interconnect
Tannoy Mini Autograph/Target R4 stands/NVA LS6

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by karatestu »

antonio66 wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:38 am I understand what you are saying about dac's and pre's being separate, but my brother's Rossini, at least for me sounded better playing through his power amp, than going through his Audio Research Ref 5 pre, which costs close to £10K, so one big box was removed from the system
I have tried to remove as many things from my system as possible so your experience strikes a chord with me. CDP output stage, input selector, volume control, speaker padding resistor and high pass capacitor all gone and so much more transparent for it.

Just gotta get rid of the speaker drivers and power amps and I think I'm sorted.
DIY FREE ZONE

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

artsenna wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 12:42 am Just curious. How would you compare the Ares ll to the Tera Dak 4.5.
Also the Metrum which I think is the most expensive.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

The NOS DAC's all have a transparency, a sense of light, ease and space, that oversampling DAC's lack (at least the ones I have heard).

The Metrum Musette (now in the lounge setup where I mainly am using the TT) is still a very impressive device with a smooth, authoritative character, sharp detail and a tight, controlled bass.

The Teradak 4.5 Chameleon is sitting in a headphone rig. It is warm and inviting, gloriously musical with fine detail and a rich relaxing sound. The soundstage is narrower than the Musette - but that is no problem for headphones.

The Denafrips Ares II, with its switchable NOS/OS capability is a master of all trades. It can be used for fast accuracy, punch and pinprick detail (OS Sharp) or spacious, serene musicality (NOS). Also there is the OS Slow setting which is a compromise combination of both.

If I had to choose one then it would definitely be the Ares, a breathtaking perfomer (and still so at under a grand). It is also the DAC that has got me the closest to the 'vinyl experience' and actually prompted my current rediscovery of the perils and pitfalls of turntables and LPs.

But I have a soft-spot for the Teradak Chameleon and could easily live with just that. It is unassuming and friendly, taking you into the heart of the music. The Musette has a slightly cold, distant presentation but put into a warm-sounding system (like my lounge setup with vintage NVA amps amd Arcam speakers) it works just fine.
These users thanked the author Fretless for the post (total 3):
karatestu (Sun Aug 08, 2021 10:31 am) • CN211276 (Sun Aug 08, 2021 10:37 am) • antonio66 (Mon Aug 09, 2021 1:43 am)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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