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Wonderful Review As Always Mercman.

99.137.6.87
Posted on March 24, 2017 at 07:55:23
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
Thanks Mercman,

As I for one am truthfully grateful for the work that you and Michael had done as a service to us all. I've always viewed both of your reviews as mind bending in the sense they're easy easy enough for a novice like myself to understand which direction is needed.

And it seems once again that technology has moved on yet once again........., yet a friend of mine has been using and praising the SOtM based products for sometime how ( Hi Stephen ) and your review hits it right on the nail by using the various combinations of LPSs and USB Devices to fine tune ones system by ear makes a great deal of sense.

http://www.audiostream.com/content/sotm-sms-200-mini-network-player-and-sotm-mbps-d2s-intelligent-battery-power-supply#gZSdFuxH4L7UXIw2.97

Once again......., much thanks.

 

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RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 24, 2017 at 08:38:25
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
Not affiliated, but wanted to pass along for those of you whom might be interested?:

https://sotm-usa.com

 

Thank You! (nt), posted on March 24, 2017 at 09:38:36
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6581
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
 .

 

RE: Thank You! (nt), posted on March 24, 2017 at 11:08:07
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
Your welcome....

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 24, 2017 at 11:19:49
soundchekk
Audiophile

Posts: 2426
Joined: July 11, 2007
 I just read the review.

Good to see that prices are on the way towards reasonable ranges.
When it comes to quality, Steve figured that it obviously can be done better and cheaper. I mentioned that once,twice,.....
My guess. 200 to 250$ is doable (SB Duet range). Let see how things develop.

What still remains is the black-box character of these streamers.
Let see how it works with software support on the long run.
Keep in mind. Today SW is more important then HW in this area.

Enjoy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 24, 2017 at 18:10:41
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46302
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Nice review. Thank you!


 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 24, 2017 at 21:21:56
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
You're welcome as well Abe.

It's nice to see that these items are getting cheaper as well......., as I was starting to think the MicroRendu was the only option left for me to pursue?, but I see that both iFi and an ISO Regen are about to make waves as well, so I think I'm going to sit back and allow the dust to clear before investing in any of them.

Have a great weekend, and know that I do enjoy your ventures as well as Steve's.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 24, 2017 at 21:29:49
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
Hello soundchekk,

Yes it struck me as very insightful, yet I wouldn't except anything less from Steve, and like you it's nice to see that things can be done cheaper then say having to commit to a dedicated music server like the Lumin's or Aurender's.

As I wrote elsewhere......., I'm gonna sit back and merely wait until years end before committing to anything, basically out of fear that if I spent more then needed, would prove foolish. I believe this is one of the most interesting ventures as far as component options has been in a very long time, such are the advancements made on what seems to be a monthly bases.

Yes......., let's see where it leads indeed.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 01:58:15
soundchekk
Audiophile

Posts: 2426
Joined: July 11, 2007
 Just to make it clear.

I didn't find anything wonderful. Nor I found him to be insightful.

In this particular case just count all the other products he's mentioning. And then - not a single word/criticism why a $9k DAC still responds to all these minor modifications! That DAC - another one of his numerous "Greatest Bits" ratings btw.

Reviewers are usually industry advocates. They're just not able to kick ... .


So. Better watch out. Keep your mind open.

Enjoy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP

 

Today SW is more important then HW in this area., posted on March 25, 2017 at 04:26:50
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 No both are equally important. Software on it's own cannot compensate for things like power supply quality (just an example).

This is why a Systems approach is essential, as in aircraft and car design. Unfortunately in the audio area, this is often lacking, perhaps partly due to the lack of clout of manufacturers over chip makers.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 07:21:08
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
I'll respond to both of your post here. As I'm not into riding upon the words of every reviewer out there, as I've long realized it was a business by taking it upon myself for some years now to visit our local upscaled shops which carry quite a few of the audio products which receive rating in Class A or B. And in several cases found myself questioning what these guys were gusting about, as what I heard didn't resemble music in the least, not along something I'd waste money on.

Another tell tale sign for me has always been to read how certain reviewers go on and on about how great a piece was, yet I've very seldom if ever saw it listed as one of the components they actually owned when viewing the contents of their respective systems........, yet in said case, while I can read about some of these advancements in digital technology either here or over on CA, it's as if I've to go through every single forum heading to get said information, and generally find myself going back to the very first page and reading forward to the most current, which is rather time consuming and as someone fairly new to this, it can still cause a sense of confusion.

As for the technical aspects of reviews, I've always trusted my ears or senses on how any given component sounds or feels, as I've never listened to measurements or studied graphs as a means of telling me how something should sound......., and as someone whom has worked in the audio field earlier in life, I still believe my senses are trained enough to know BS when I hear it regardless of price.

Yet when I can find these items mentioned on one site, instead of having to search all around the globe is what I felt this review bought to the table........, as for once again finding it insightful stands on the merit I believe he's being more honest then most in how he evaluates said items, and I've noticed quite a few people using many of these devices on DACs costing more then the one he mentions in his reviews, whom seeming get great results with theirs as well. So I'm going to then assume some system are more responsive to these devices whereas the ones built by a designer with a keener sense of derail might actually have taken care to install better internal parts which shouldn't need them at all......

At best, it's merely a matter of once again knowing which reviewers much like friends we know from a distance would've us believe we should buy the exact same components as them........, in said cases while I'm open to recommendations, I'm the sort whom is more inclined to get out and listen, and then judge on what once again to me feels | sounds right.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 09:27:27
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46302
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 I'm gonna sit back and merely wait until years end before committing to anything, basically out of fear that if I spent more then needed, would prove foolish.

That's going to be a long wait. If you think about it, this hobby is foolish and there is no committing involved unless you blow your life savings on something. It's just a merry go round of new stuff to buy which is exactly what the reviewers and manufacturers want you to believe. ;-)

So why wait to buy a streamer? There are several excellent ones available for well under a grand. mRendu $640, SOtm sMS-200 $450, or a DIY Pi at $100 or so. It's not like you're blowing your wad on a $17,500 Aurender which would be a long term commitment for most budgets.

Like PCs, tablets, and anything electronic, there will always be a newer, better, and cheaper streamer hitting the market. At some point you just have to pull the trigger, jump in, and start enjoying.




 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 09:45:27
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003



Very valid point Abe,

And one that's appreciated. As I've just been reading as much as I'd find on said SOmT sMS-200 unit, it seems more likely then not this is the route in which I'll be pursuing, as it seems that many have decided that it's an improvement over the Mac Mini, yet in my mind the verdict is still out.

And I'd never ever, even if I had it spend as much as $17K on anything digital, now a nice pair of minty secondhand Magico S3 MK IIs or the smaller Rockport's I can justify, or even one of those nice Accuphase Integrated's, but that's where I draw the line.

I tend to shop for said digital devices between the price points of $450 ( SOtM comes in just right ) upwards of $2.900 towards an Aurender N100H, so I'm merely trying to decide on which would be the better option over the long haul........, trust me, I'm not one to waste or be swayed by crazy pricing on items based solely upon reviews, but their are those key reviewers like Mercman ( Steve ) to which I've come to trust.......

And as my dealer David Michael Audio ( in Royal Oak, Michigan ) carries both the Aurender as well as Innuos Zen Mini MK II servers, my intention is to compare them side by side before doing anything.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 09:56:40
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6581
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
 SOtM is supposed to come out with a fancier clock for an upgrade sMS-200. Their estimates of release of product are always optimistic.

Perhaps there will be a bunch of used sMS-200s to purchase at a better price. Also, Sonore probably has ideas for future stuff.

I don't get too excited until I actually see stuff for sale.

Thanks for your confidence. But this is one rapidly changing game.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 11:09:22
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Which is another reason that I've mentioned I'd rather wait until the dust clears, as it seems there are a lot of options coming........., I was merely trying to once again state that I've fate in your reviews.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 12:00:24
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6581
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
 Thanks for your confidence.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 12:32:08
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
I wouldn't have it any other way......, you've earned it.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 25, 2017 at 16:10:55
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6581
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
 Well said. After all, it's about having fun.

 

I Disagree With Both of You, posted on March 26, 2017 at 17:31:20
Dynobot
 IMO. MUSIC is more important than SW or HW.

Spend less time screwing around with 'stuff' and more time discovering good music.

FYI, good music sounds good even with crappy SW and HW.

So if you need to spend hours/days/weeks/months screwing around with 'stuff' to make your music sound good, get new music!

 

Is there a Glossary of Terms/Initials available?, posted on March 27, 2017 at 11:33:20
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 I don't seem to be keeping up with the changes!
( Serious Post).
Seriously!

 

I Don't Disagree , posted on March 27, 2017 at 22:11:12
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 but we are onto different things.

 

Music, posted on March 28, 2017 at 09:57:55
Dynobot
 I'm into Music. How about you?

 

Nah, not really, posted on March 28, 2017 at 11:25:09
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46302
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
He's more into playing a couple tunes over and over so he can 'listen to his system'. Many of us prefer to 'listen to music'.



 

Hmmmmmmm, posted on March 28, 2017 at 12:09:41
Dynobot
 Thats kinda sad..;-(

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 28, 2017 at 14:08:36
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
Just a follow up of sort. As I've noticed more then a few times users over on CA, had in fact seemed very pleased with said sMS-200 in tandem with the W4S Recovery, which was one of devices Mercman didn't mention this time around:

https://audiobacon.net/2017/03/23/sotm-sms-200-mbps-d2s-review/

But once again, it shows that ones options are becoming cheaper and cheaper with each passing month. Not that one has to believe everything they read......., but it's nice seeing how some others have achieved nice results for less then $2.000.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 29, 2017 at 02:45:48
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6581
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
 I didn't have the W4S Recovery on hand for this review. It was returned after I reviewed it for AS.

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 29, 2017 at 03:39:40
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
I figured as much. Which is why this added review came in handy......., as I'm up early this morning reading upon said devices as well as the iFi and UpTone soon to be released Isolator type devices.

Once again, the times they're a changing and then some....

 

RE: Wonderful Review As Always Mercman., posted on March 29, 2017 at 04:02:48
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6581
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
 SOtM will also be releasing their new USB device the tx-USBUltra.

 

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