Uh oh danger!
The microRendu has only been here for just over three weeks and the Paul Hynes PSU I chose to power it hasn't even been delivered but I'm already looking at something different. Not because I'm not happy with it, it's easily and by far the best I've ever heard in my system together with the Mutec! I don't think AIR in whatever version can even come close to it's performance, AIR2 for sure is miles away. I have however always been very interested in network audio protocols like AES67/Ravenna/Dante. These are like AIR on steroids and are used more and more in the pro audio world.
The only real 'audiophile offering' I've seen thus far is the Merging Nadac. Kind of expensive and a full DAC. I've discussed it and Ravenna briefly in July 2015 and Guillaume opened a new topic for it here:
http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=1612 Some time back however I've seen a user on computeraudiophile.com reporting great results using the Focusrite Rednet devices (
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac...ost537598). These have a pro audio target audience but his results were promising. This last week two users of head-fi have reported stellar results using the same hardware so my interest in these devices has been piqued especially since there is quite an overlap in what these guys and I have used or tried.
This Dante/Ravenna/AES67 (all are bit related) audio over networking could very well be the next 'revolution' in computer audio for consumers, replacing USB, especially when devices targeted at the consumers will emerge.
For those also interested user rb2013 has made a nice thread on these technologies here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/806827/audio-ov...uter-audio The guys over at head-fi also seem to have discovered the Mutec products and have been succesfully using the MC-3+ (USB) as a reclocker after the Rednet's. Dante etc. is also heavily discussed in this topic:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/803111/xmos-xu2...t_12625074
I already made quite a big jump with the microRendu but can't help wondering how a Focusrite Rednet device might do in my system compared to it. There's only one way to find out and that is to try it...currently contemplating on whether I should and when. I'm not interested in the least about what Devialet will release regarding streaming I'm sure it'll be disappointing. This morning I saw somebody write they'll release uPnP later this year...please, that's like 10 years back in time..and a truly awful protocol. Anyway, already looked up pricing and availability of the Rednetsso don't be surprised if one pops up here in this topic soon!
The Rednet devices:
https://us.focusrite.com/ethernet-audio-...ces/rednet A Rednet 3 or D16 AES would be suited for my application.
Hi Swissbear, thanks for the link. I haven't ever looked into pro audio products except for the computer audio DDC stuff and clocks. But perhaps someday I should, as TBH this is largely because of preconceptions. Somehow and in general I don't "trust" pro-audio to sound as good as consumer high-end for non-digital and this includes the DAC stage. I do believe there must be really great stuff there though but it's mostly an unknown world to me.
(03-Jun-2016, 11:30)Antoine Wrote: [ -> ]Uh oh danger! The microRendu has only been here for just over three weeks and the Paul Hynes PSU I chose to power it hasn't even been delivered but I'm already looking at something different. Not because I'm not happy with it, it's easily and by far the best I've ever heard in my system together with the Mutec! I don't think AIR in whatever version can even come close to it's performance, AIR2 for sure is miles away. I have however always been very interested in network audio protocols like AES67/Ravenna/Dante. These are like AIR on steroids and are used more and more in the pro audio world.
The only real 'audiophile offering' I've seen thus far is the Merging Nadac. Kind of expensive and a full DAC. I've discussed it and Ravenna briefly in July 2015 and Guillaume opened a new topic for it here: http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=1612 Some time back however I've seen a user on computeraudiophile.com reporting great results using the Focusrite Rednet devices (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac...ost537598). These have a pro audio target audience but his results were promising. This last week two users of head-fi have reported stellar results using the same hardware so my interest in these devices has been piqued especially since there is quite an overlap in what these guys and I have used or tried.
This Dante/Ravenna/AES67 (all are bit related) audio over networking could very well be the next 'revolution' in computer audio for consumers, replacing USB, especially when devices targeted at the consumers will emerge.
For those also interested user rb2013 has made a nice thread on these technologies here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/806827/audio-ov...uter-audio The guys over at head-fi also seem to have discovered the Mutec products and have been succesfully using the MC-3+ (USB) as a reclocker after the Rednet's. Dante etc. is also heavily discussed in this topic: http://www.head-fi.org/t/803111/xmos-xu2...t_12625074
I already made quite a big jump with the microRendu but can't help wondering how a Focusrite Rednet device might do in my system compared to it. There's only one way to find out and that is to try it...currently contemplating on whether I should and when. I'm not interested in the least about what Devialet will release regarding streaming I'm sure it'll be disappointing. This morning I saw somebody write they'll release uPnP later this year...please, that's like 10 years back in time..and a truly awful protocol. Anyway, already looked up pricing and availability of the Rednetsso don't be surprised if one pops up here in this topic soon!
The Rednet devices: https://us.focusrite.com/ethernet-audio-...ces/rednet A Rednet 3 or D16 AES would be suited for my application.
This place is doing a 60 day trial with money back guarantee. Good price too!
https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/audio-convert...Gwod0mcB1A
I've found them at Bax shop as well but here in NL it's €1424 (=~GBP1120) though a Dutch firm has one for even less (€1300=~GBP1022). They don't have the very interesting 60day return policy though which makes it very interesting to try it out. I do prefer the D16 AES though as it's smaller, has an AES/EBU output connector (as to a AES/EBU breakout connector on the Rednet 3) and it seems to have the Brooklyn II card inside (as opposed to Brooklyn I in the Rednet 3). It's a bit more expensive though GBP1152(UK)/€1499(NL).
For now I've decided to at least wait for some time before trying a Rednet or some other Dante DDC. I'd like to receive and 'hear' the Hynes PSU in my system first. This will power my Anti-Mode DC 2.0, microRendu, fiber converter and perhaps (probably
) the Mutec as well so could have a significant impact in my system replacing two standalone LPSU's, a standalone SMPS and the internal SMPS inside the Mutec.
The lead time of the Hynes when ordering was 15-20 working days, tomorrow is day 20 so I hope to receive it soon. Though longer waiting times, unfortunately, are not rare with Hynes...I'll send him an email tomorrow requesting a status update.
Hi Antoine,
A few questions :
- would you be using a Rednet PCI card on a windows box as a server, or the Dante virtual sound card ?
- wouldn't you be missing the DSD streaming capabilities for future ?
Re the Lab-Gruppen amp, what drew my attention is the fact that TotalDac has selected it and proposes it to its customers (see bottom of this page
http://www.totaldac.com/reference-equipment-eng.htm).
Both equipment are available from Thomann.de and easy to try with 30 days back return guarantee. Easy for people living inside EU
(06-Jun-2016, 15:22)octaviars Wrote: [ -> ]I hope the Hynes PSU makes absolutely no difference and you decide to sell it to me 
Hahaha, not a chance!
Although, never say never. At the speed I'm changing gear this last year (which I do like to do before anyone feels sorry for me
) who knows!
(06-Jun-2016, 15:48)SwissBear Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Antoine,
A few questions :- would you be using a Rednet PCI card on a windows box as a server, or the Dante virtual sound card ?
- wouldn't you be missing the DSD streaming capabilities for future ?
Re the Lab-Gruppen amp, what drew my attention is the fact that TotalDac has selected it and proposes it to its customers (see bottom of this page http://www.totaldac.com/reference-equipment-eng.htm).
Both equipment are available from Thomann.de and easy to try with 30 days back return guarantee. Easy for people living inside EU
Hi Swissbear,
Yes, I was indeed thinking about using the DVS. One license for it is included with every Rednet device and since I need the audio stream to go one way, from PC -> Devialet it would suffice. I don't believe there are any downsides for consumer use and only two channel stereo.
Regarding DSD, as Devialet owners I believe we're "handicapped" when it comes to DSD. The D's as you know only support non native DSD64 (DoP) and 128 taps FIR conversion to PCM only which isn't anything special. Because of this limited support I have never been able to try out any form of DSD upsampling (eg. using HQPlayer) so I can't personally judge it's merits. Judging from the experiences of others that do employ HQPlayer upsampling to DSD 128/256 or even 512 I do believe it can be a very worthwile improvement, especially because of the relatively low investment (HQplayer costs less than €150 and besides that one only needs a powerful computer and optionally a NAA like the microRendu).
Of course for me it's no real issue since there's so little source material available in this format, at least of the music I listen to most so for me the only thing I'm 'missing' is the HQ upsampling option.
Although I'm starting to feel more and more 'contempt' of Devialet and it's products as time goes by and I learn more about the technology and how they've implemented stuff and how it could have been done better (perhaps this'll get "repaired" when they'll release something of high quality (in my view) again) I'm not 'ready' yet to switch to a different amplifier and/or DAC. If I would I guess I would make sure it supports high bitrate native DSD but even then it's not a 100% mandatory requirement. In any way I'm not letting it influence my buying decisions much today so I'm perfectly fine with a DDC that supports PCM up to 192kHz like the Rednets. I guess this could or would be different if i were to invest much larger sums of money than a Rednet, Mutec or microRendu costs.
(06-Jun-2016, 16:38)Antoine Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Swissbear,
Yes, I was indeed thinking about using the DVS. One license for it is included with every Rednet device and since I need the audio stream to go one way, from PC -> Devialet it would suffice. I don't believe there are any downsides for consumer use and only two channel stereo.
Regarding DSD, as Devialet owners I believe we're "handicapped" when it comes to DSD. The D's as you know only support non native DSD64 (DoP) and 128 taps FIR conversion to PCM only which isn't anything special. Because of this limited support I have never been able to try out any form of DSD upsampling (eg. using HQPlayer) so I can't personally judge it's merits. Judging from the experiences of others that do employ HQPlayer upsampling to DSD 128/256 or even 512 I do believe it can be a very worthwile improvement, especially because of the relatively low investment (HQplayer costs less than €150 and besides that one only needs a powerful computer and optionally a NAA like the microRendu).
Of course for me it's no real issue since there's so little source material available in this format, at least of the music I listen to most so for me the only thing I'm 'missing' is the HQ upsampling option.
Although I'm starting to feel more and more 'contempt' of Devialet and it's products as time goes by and I learn more about the technology and how they've implemented stuff and how it could have been done better (perhaps this'll get "repaired" when they'll release something of high quality (in my view) again) I'm not 'ready' yet to switch to a different amplifier and/or DAC. If I would I guess I would make sure it supports high bitrate native DSD but even then it's not a 100% mandatory requirement. In any way I'm not letting it influence my buying decisions much today so I'm perfectly fine with a DDC that supports PCM up to 192kHz like the Rednets. I guess this could or would be different if i were to invest much larger sums of money than a Rednet, Mutec or microRendu costs.
Thanks Antoine,
I'm sure you have read about this :
Merging+Nadac.
Seems attractive too
OK definitely no Focusrite Rednet device for me, it does not auto switch between samplerates so you'd have to manually switch from e.g. 16/44.1 to 24/192 and back etc. That's a real deal breaker for me since I'm not planning on upsampling everything to the same freq let alone do the manual switching thing.