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microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics
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Posted on August 20, 2016 at 22:58:40 | ||
Posts: 46200
Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002 |
I created two listening scenarios. Setup #1 - Mac Mini: The headless Mac Mini (quad-core i7 16GB RAM + SSD) is powered by an external regulated 12VDC 10AMP linear power supply. The space inside the Mac Mini that once contained its switching power supply has been replaced with a LC filter network on a slim PCB to provide additional filtering of the external 12VDC source. Several applications and unneeded processes have been disabled in Mac OS X 10.11.6 "El Capitan". I'm running Roon or Roon+HQPlayer on the Mac Mini out to the DAC and controlling it all with the Roon App on my iPad. Setup #2 - microRendu: The microRendu drives my PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC. The Mac Mini is also on my hardwired network as it contains my music library to be streamed to the microRendu over the network. It is the same Mac Mini that I described above but in another room a few dozen feet away. Power for the microRendu is supplied by the iFi iPower 9v power supply, one of many power sources on the microRendu recommended list. I ran the microRendu with Roon or Roon+HQPlayer, again using the iPad as the controller. What I heard: Against the tweaked Mac Mini running Roon, the microRendu sounds a little 'lighter' and more 'agile' but not quite as full bodied or dynamic. The difference is minute. I like the transparency and detail I'm hearing in the microRendu which is very similar to the tweaked Mac Mini but with a less bold presentation. Soundstage and imaging are comparable with a very slight soundstage advantage to the microRendu. I have to conclude that I hear larger differences among the player software tested on both platforms vs the differences between the platforms themselves. Roon sounds excellent. Roon+HQPlayer are even better.... regardless if coming thru the microRendu or the Mac Mini directly to DAC. For it's size, convenience, and reasonable price (in audio terms anyway) the microRendu is a real winner. I'd really love to get someone's take on it against streamers at 2x - 20x it's price. Features aside, what more do $1200 - $17,000 streamers have to offer sonically? I couldn't tell you but the microRendu is outstanding! I have since kept the Mac Mini in my office listening setup and moved the microRendu down to the basement. All I need to control it is my handy dandy iPad Mini. Because fmak hates pictures.... microRendu network streamer. $640 USD + the cost of a power supply, $6 - $600+ your wallet your choice. microRendu out of its aluminum case microRendu with SolidRun Processor board removed The System on a Module by SolidRun (green computer PCB) with Freescale Semiconductor ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core processor 1GHz, Samsung DDR3L memory chips x4. The microRendu carrier board in blue includes a Linear Technology switch mode voltage regulator micro-module at its input plus a couple other voltage regulators, crystal oscillator, USB hub chip, microSD card for the OS, Ethernet jack with magnetics by Pulse Electronics, and a few other goodies. There's a significant amount of engineering on the microRendu carrier board (blue PCB) unlike some other streamers that put an Intel NUC in a fancy box or other mini-ATX motherboard or Raspberry Pi. Pretty impressive approach to use a general purpose System on a Module made by SolidRun placed on top of the microRendu carrier. The software interface is also pretty cool and very simple for setup and changing modes. Just input the microRendu's DHCP assigned IP address in your web browser's URL field. Some screen shots of the BUI are shown below. Because fmak hates pictures.....
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RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 21, 2016 at 02:19:52 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Seems like you fall in love with someone. Sonore will appreciate your feedback. By looking at the boards I'd say most of the "cost" go into
Why should I buy such an expensive black-box "gadget", which is probably outdated sooner as you'd imagine? A MAC and even a Raspberry PI or any other $50 ARM board give me ten times I'd love to compare my $100 RPI + $100 iPurifier2 setup against a MicroRendu! Just to see where I am at. Bottom line. I'd never buy that device. That's for sure. Enjoy. PS: IMO such a device shouldn't cost more then 99$-129$. |
This is what I'm sayin'! :) -nt, posted on August 21, 2016 at 09:39:34 | |
Posts: 37466
Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002 |
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RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 22, 2016 at 10:34:51 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
HW cost > $100? Without a power supply?? No way. They intend to play in the traditional audiophile audio league. That's a strategic decision you take. At 129$ you'd sell ten thousand(s) like Logitech did. Or you sell a couple of hundred/thousands pieces at best at that high price. I'm wondering if anybody seriously buys that $1400 power supply? Ok. Ok. You never know. I've seen people spending 1500$ on software. ;) ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 22, 2016 at 16:19:05 | |
Posts: 6580
Location: So. CA Joined: October 20, 2002 |
It was $1000 for the software :-) |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 22, 2016 at 17:29:15 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
HW cost > $100? Without a power supply?? Soundchekk: "No way. They intend to play in the traditional audiophile audio league. That's a strategic decision you take. At 129$ you'd sell ten thousand(s) like Logitech did. Or you sell a couple of hundred/thousands pieces at best at that high price. I'm wondering if anybody seriously buys that $1400 power supply? Ok. Ok. You never know. I've seen people spending 1500$ on software. ;)" I agree with you Soundchekk. While I'm sure a number here will disagree with me that I do not believe (and have seen no evidence) that the hardware is capable of making the playback sound better through a good asynch USB DAC, I can appreciate the software and its flexibility. Assuming there are no issues with software licensing (since a bunch of it is open source), I think if they sold a microSD card with the software for something like $100 would be reasonable for those who want to buy their own Raspberry Pi 2 or maybe Pi 3. Perhaps a whole package for $200 with Sonore Edition Pi hardware (with a nice metal case) and a reasonable SMPS power supply. But at >$600 without power supply? Looking the way it does? Clearly they're aiming for the "audiophile audio league" and not to the sensible audiophile looking for actual value IMO. ------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 22, 2016 at 18:56:55 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Speaking of "birds of a feather". As if "The Sonore design team, Jesus R, John Swensen, etc." and other cults of personalities have any magical abilities to change the laws of physics and bend the truth of computer science in engineered products. A wise man knows that he doesn't *need* to experience everything to be able to be skeptical when he has experience and tested other things and can extrapolate the knowledge. If Jesus, John, etc... can come up with some engineering evidence, then it's worth a look. Swenson's commentary when he posted on the Regen last year was enough for anyone to read between the lines to question the principles of his beliefs. $640 isn't a big deal but why not spend money elsewhere - like on good music!? ------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 01:34:56 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Isaak writes: "You don't even have the conviction back your rants. And you are a helluva bore. Design and market your own player. Don't be envious of a company that sold 1000 units in 3 months. Envy is not becoming." Gee what conviction are you looking for? Taking out a credit card and spending $640 dollars to compare every time Swenson claims something he never proves ? Anybody around here can do that. It takes more conviction to not be swayed by every hyped product out there and truly stand by one's beliefs and call a spade a spade because it's *obvious*. It's like arguing with folks who have faith in all those Synergistic products! Anyhow. I stand by the principle that what the uRendu does can be replicated by anyone with a Raspberry Pi and a little knowhow. The software looks good and intuitive. And if they sold just the software at a price like $100, I'd be happy to buy it as I stated above. Trust me. I have no envy for Mr. Swenson et al. I know not how many they sell nor really care. Good luck to him for making money. It's a tough business and marketing is part of the game. Just interested in what is or what isn't... ------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 01:43:05 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Selling 1000 units in 3 month. Great argument !!!! Proving what!?!? 1000 audiophile nuts with big wallets running after the next gadget? I know John Svensson quite well btw. He's IMO not the most innovative guy. He's pretty much a quality guy. This all is no rocket science my friend. And for sure not worth 640$ - IMO. Obviously John has quite convincing communication skills - at least towards his target group "the audiophiles" and "audiophile press". He even managed
On the other hand, try to recall what G. Rankin - the Great - has been selling you audiophiles for years. Some of you/us had and most of you should have realized by now that "Asynchronous USB Audio" wasn't the holy grail of computer audio. All these great engineers, bound to a business, are selling you, what's on the table. Nothing more and nothing less. Even if some of us ask for perfection, they argue around it and sell you progress. Which is fair enough!!! Many people are happy with that. It's a free market out there. Enjoy. PS: I'm not defending Archimago btw. I do have my problems with his methods and conclusions myself. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 01:59:55 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Hey Soundchekk. Right. We have our disagreements but it's good that we can also agree to disagree on some things while other thoughts resonate. Life's complex. ------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 02:10:26 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Ah yes. You've been one of the very very very few who received a 30% discount (later on?). And that even without being an official Reviewer during those days. Lucky you. It was just a grand. ;)
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RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 17:17:23 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Right, thank Abe for the clarification. Also thank you for the pictures of the guts of the machine! IMO, the SolidRun SoM is nothing special and costs something like $65 at most (surely less than that in bulk with just 512M RAM). As for the carrier, good engineering perhaps but I have doubts that this leads to audible difference from say a reference implementation of USB, low power infrastructure, communications bus made with good quality parts. I assume this was probably an custom design with both Swenson & SolidRun's input to interface with their processor board? I maintain that the best part of this whole system is the software... And wouldn't mind buying that separately.
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RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 21:43:08 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Thanks Bibo. ClearFog - nice looking board. USB3 and dual gigabit ethernet on board is interesting and novel in a little computer like this...
------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 23, 2016 at 21:57:41 | |
Posts: 2667
Location: NY Joined: July 31, 2000 |
Bibo01, Very COOL... SFP! Bob |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 24, 2016 at 03:10:26 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Nice Bibo. BTW: Anyone here running an optical home network? ------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 24, 2016 at 17:38:37 | |
Posts: 820
Joined: January 18, 2002 |
Thanks Bob, Will look into that. Does seem to be a lot of expense for the infrastructure as well as the converters. Hopefully things have become more reasonably priced since I looked into this a couple years ago... ------- Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 28, 2016 at 11:14:55 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
From engineer to engineer. "These units are assembled by hand in the USA" What is this supposed to mean!?!? I can tell you. That'll most probably mean that you don't have your cost under control. Guess why Apple builds phones in China!?!? You might have a chat with T. Loesch. "The PS is not our main product" That's absolute ridiculous. On one hand you strive for perfection, spent thousands of hours on reading manuals, and on the other hand you just let one of the most important parts of that solution alone!?!? You gotta be kidding me. And then there is that 1400$ ??? PS. No words. I'm speachless. A 300$ Squeezebox Touch should act as kind of role-model reference to you guys what can be done for the money. I mean the Touch had numerous more features a display, remote, power supply... But we can leave that alone for the time being. And don't forget these squeeze-guys even wrote their own software from scratch! I don't really know exactly: Are you guys using squeezelite as player engine?? Freeware?? A hint. As far as I remember the Squeeze Touch folks hired an engineer who didn't have to spent 3000h on reading manuals. This guy knew what he was doing from day 1. Good luck with your business. All the best. ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 28, 2016 at 11:47:48 | |
Posts: 14
Location: FL Joined: May 14, 2011 |
I'll be sure to take all that under advisement. |
RE: microRendu review & snapshots of its internals (the guts) - pics, posted on August 28, 2016 at 12:22:21 | |
Posts: 1207
Location: Hollywod, CA Joined: January 7, 2016 |
You are way out your league. |