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MicroRendu LPSs.

99.137.6.87

Posted on February 24, 2017 at 09:58:56
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Hi all,

Having just come across this blog ( which is new to me ) it seems that many of you haven't talked about your options in added LPSs to your MicroRendu's, as it seems the reviewer here was really taken with the UpTone Audio UltraCap LPS-1 on said device........, what gives?:

https://audiobacon.net/2016/12/01/ps-audio-lanrover-review-vs-microrendu-uptone-ultracap-lps-1/

And lastly........, the same applies to the PS Audio Lanrover, in that I haven't seem much mentioned on it as well.

The one thing I took from another one of this guys reviews........., is that I messed up by not having tired either an iFi Audio Nano or Micro iUSB 3.0 in tandem with my JCAT USB Isolator, which shall be rendered quite soon I can assure you. Which once again it seems that Mercman was onto something wonderful all along.

Anywho........., as always, be good guys.
O_o scar

 

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RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on March 1, 2017 at 20:47:30
Maxxwire1
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el34eh@yahoo.com- I don't know if you've seen this before or not, but I just stumbled upon a 2016 thread that contains a discussion of various power supplies that have been added to the MicroRendu which has 450+ replies some of which are very informative ones from John Swenson (especially on Pg. 15).

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on March 2, 2017 at 03:59:47
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Thanks Maxxwire1,

I'll be certain to take my time and read through it very carefully. But as it stands........, the JCAT is here to stay, yet my intent is to try said iFi Nano iUSB 3.0 Power between it and the DAC and call it a day.

Once again......., thanks for the push on me pursuing the JCAT, in my system it gas made a grave improvement.

 

Intona with external power !, posted on February 27, 2017 at 20:48:11
akltam
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I think I better start a new sub-thread for this topic.

I do use external LPS power supply for the Intona. I use an 'AQVOX' for the 'send' side of the Intona. I use another external LPS on the 'Receive' side of the Intona such that the Intona is not powering the USB DAC at all.

I found this further improve the impact of the Intona.

If your USB DAC has separate power for the USB signal receiving module, then there is no need to add external power on the 'receive' side of the Intona.

Alan

 

AQVOX, posted on February 28, 2017 at 11:30:41
Dave Garretson
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Are you referring to the AQVOX Switch 8 Ethernet switch? If so, have you had the chance to compare it to a conventional Ethernet switch? I'm using a Cisco SG-110D-05 with the Rendu.

 

Hi Dave, posted on March 1, 2017 at 09:18:42
Sordidman
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Hope that you're doing well....

There is also the JCAT, another modified D-Link switch with "temperature controlled Oscillator" and upgraded caps.

I haven't ordered this, as I am still looking at other options. (There's a soon-to-be-released 6 port coming out that has a FPGA chip in it that is ASIO).

I am running a mRendu with both Sonore/Cardas linking cables, the LPS-1 and fiber, + a F-1 with a 1.5m AS Coax into the DAC. Trusted folks have been asserting that EMO-70HD, Intona, Regen, RUR, Mutec, etc. don't offer much; as isolation and SI are built into the mRendu, LPS-1, & F-1.

In any case, one of the few things that I have left to play with is the NAS. I am going back & forth between MPD, Roon, & LMS on the NAS, so when my trial period of ROON ends, - I'll be playing with more hardware: FWIW.

Biggest difference in my system was by far the DC4 cable from LPS-1 to the mRendu.





"Asylums with doors open wide,
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'"

 

RE: Hi, posted on March 1, 2017 at 15:24:32
Dave Garretson
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Hello Sordidman, good to see you posting. I'm a newbie to CPU audio, which at my age in audio years makes me feel if not look like less of a dinosaur. My build-out so far is Roon & QNAP NAS> EN Switch> Paul Hynes-powered Rendu> DSD128 into K-01X. Next step is to see what EN cables may improve on the generic Cat5.

 

No..., posted on February 28, 2017 at 20:18:48
akltam
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I am referring to the AQVOX LPS power supply for the USB. The AQVOX LPS has a special USB 'B' adaptor which cut the power from the computer and then it supplies its own power at this adaptor.

I use the AQVOX LPS to power the intona instead of getting noisy power from the computer.

 

RE: AQVOX, posted on February 28, 2017 at 12:12:26
Mercman
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I have ordered the AQVOX switch, so it's on its way ( I hope). I have am presently using a Netgear switch powered by an HDPlex.

I have an LPS-1 to compare as well.

I am using the switch with the microRendu and SOtM sMS-200

 

RE: Intona with external power !, posted on February 28, 2017 at 06:23:38
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Thanks Alan.

My intent is to buy another iFi Nano iUSB 3.0 Power, and use this between my JCAT ( Intona) and DAC, as I noticed earlier on this device when used in tandem with a dual-headed USB cable did in fact kept the DAC power up. As noted with both the JCAT and W4S Recovery type of devices......., once the Mac Mini was shut off, so what the DAC which proves neither of them were actually powering it on their own.

It's just a matter of regrouping my thoughts, and adjust accordingly.

Learning is still a blessing in itself......., and I for one love it.

 

I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 06:42:40
E-Stat
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When I purchased my uRendu last summer, the UltraCap LPS-1 wasn't yet available. Arguably, that unit may be better, but is less elegantly packaged since it is a two box solution. I confess that I have not compared mine with other units, but was highly recommended.

The HD Plex is a relatively massive power supply for this use with a large R-core transformer and tons of filtering. I took this photo to compare the size of the uRendu (top left), the previous Welborne Labs linear used for a Touch (red) and the HDPlex at bottom right. This view doesn't allow you to see that it is twice the height of the previous linear. Below that is a naked shot.




 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 07:07:14
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Hello E-Stat,

While seemingly it appears that both you and Mercman like your HD Plex LPS, it has been written over on CA, that said UltraCap has bettered these as well. And logic would seem that since both the MicroRendu and UltraCap were partly designed by the same group of guys behind UpTone Audio, I just can't see there being anything that would better them in tandem based upon a synergistic type approach design wise that is.

Which was my main reason for going away from the type of devices which required LPSs, my reason for posting my question here, was because I had only noticed one or three other mention the UltraCap, with very little if any response and was wondering why?, as it seems that most of the users of said USB thingies ( Regen | Recovery | iFi, etc... ) are using them.

I'm going to assume from what I read somewhere, that the actual MicroRendu is basically a super version of the UpTone Audio Regen!, and there are plans for another LPS as well as upgraded version of the Regen in the works........, all in all, I merely wanted to see if others were aware of said LPS?, as once again it seemed to have been overlooked.

O_o scar

 

Timing is everything, posted on February 27, 2017 at 08:21:58
E-Stat
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Had the LPS-1 been available last summer, I likely would have purchased it.

My experience has been that all audio gear benefits from extremely stiff power supplies. My preamp has 40 joules (more than some amps) and the amps have a total of 500 joules.

Again, you don't seem to understand that the Regen is a powered hub while the microRendu is a streamer which incorporates Swenson's regen circuitry in its design.

 

extremely stiff power supplies, posted on March 1, 2017 at 09:14:28
fmak
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Upping Joules without considering Power Supply quality is nonsense.

 

Agree, posted on March 1, 2017 at 16:29:43
E-Stat
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Who said that?

 

RE: Timing is everything, posted on February 27, 2017 at 09:12:22
el34eh@yahoo.com
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O'tay........, now I get it........, thanks boss.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 08:12:05
AbeCollins
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IMHO one has to look at the entire system being powered. In other words, what are you powering with the power supply, and does that device already have a good internal power system, or not.

For the mRendu it's not like the device is dependent solely on an extravagant outboard LPS for outstanding performance. It has excellent internal power supplies and basically needs just a good source of outboard power. Whatever you 'feed' the mRendu, there already exists well designed internal regulators and power distribution. Of course, in the audiophile world someone will be more than happy to step up and sell you another $300 - $1000 power supply but this goes back to my comment earlier about bang for the buck. I wouldn't spend that kind of money where it is not needed.

On the other hand, if the outboard power supply is being relied upon as the only means of achieving line/load regulation, ripple rejection, etc., it becomes more important, but to what degree depends on what is being powered.

Regarding your comment, "I'm going to assume from what I read somewhere, that the actual MicroRendu is basically a super version of the UpTone Audio Regen!"

This is completely inaccurate. They are totally different devices with different features and function. I've owned both.


 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 09:09:58
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Fair enough on the part where it doesn't include a super upgraded Regen......., I'll have to find said source of information once again, and read it more carefully then.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 10:43:32
agattu
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Recommend you read audiostream's review

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 11:48:24
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Thanks to you as well agattu.

I wasn't questioning so much the MicroRendu, in so much as asking why more aren't using the UpTone Audio UltraCap LPS-1 with theirs?.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 28, 2017 at 00:56:02
agattu
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Well you did state "I'm going to assume from what I read somewhere, that the actual MicroRendu is basically a super version of the UpTone Audio Regen!"

Which is a mistaken assumption.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 28, 2017 at 06:15:50
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Ass-U-Me. Yes I did make said statement. And it's cool.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 15:04:00
AbeCollins
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"I wasn't questioning so much the MicroRendu, in so much as asking why more aren't using the UpTone Audio UltraCap LPS-1 with theirs?."

Maybe because it's nearly $400 !! A couple Asylum inmates may decide to use the LPS-1 but it's a little pricey for my needs.


 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 19:14:29
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Great point......., as I've found a few of those nice little Chinese made LPSs do offer nice sonics for less then $150 or so myself. Which is again why I decided in the long run to pursue the JCAT USB Isolator, as it doesn't require one.

Have a good one Abe....

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 11:41:42
Mercman
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"There's am improved REGEN inside every microRendu since it also houses a USB hub that "generates a completely new USB data signal to feed your device." Great care has been taken on the tiny innards so that noise does not pollute the outgoing audio signal."

When I wrote something like Michael, Jesus at Sonore corrected me.

So I wrote the following:

Simple Design has brought together their insights with Small Green Computer and John Swenson to create a microcomputer that runs on a modified Linux operating system called the Sonic Orbiter with a built in a circuit to regenerate a new USB data signal.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 09:35:29
AbeCollins
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The REGEN's main function is to regenerate the USB signal and provide clean 5VBUS to DACs that require it. It sits between the computer's USB port and the USB input of your DAC.

The microRendu's main function is that of a network streamer. It connects to your Ethernet network and attaches to the USB input of your DAC. However, it's USB section includes something similar to the REGEN. From CA: "The microRendu does contain a circuit which is essentially an improved REGEN."


 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 11:46:01
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Abe......, thanks to you as well. I see where they differ.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 09:21:28
Mercman
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Jesus from Sonore was pretty specific with me when I wrote the review of the microRendu. The microRendu has something somewhat similar to the Regen, but it is not a Regen.

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 11:44:32
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Thanks Mercman.

Understood....

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 07:15:09
fmak
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The HDPlex is a convent garden power supply, based on a chip family that is not high performance.

It is not 'optimal' for powering a device needing only a fraction of the current. A super-regulator or a shunt power supply with high bandwidth and much lower noise levels will be more appropriate.

The Regen uses a TI chip that is also not the best performing one. I bought the TI demo boards and was not particularly impressed, especially with 50Hz pickup.

 

The fraction is one-half, posted on March 5, 2017 at 12:07:35
E-Stat
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The uRendu requires 1A - the section supplying 7V with the HDPlex is 2A.

 

RE: The fraction is one-half, posted on March 13, 2017 at 10:32:13
AbeCollins
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He seems to get hung up on LPSs and USB cables not taking into account the bigger picture. For example, the uRendu has a few excellent onboard regulators and ground plane isolation between peripheral I/O vs the ARM board. Yeah, you can put a mega OCD power supply on it but it won't make a huge difference.



 

And yet, posted on March 13, 2017 at 19:40:04
E-Stat
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The "mega OCD" power supply is a 2A unit for the 7V rail. Like the Jokery Giant battery charger. Isn't that the current capability of the iFi?

 

RE: I use an HDPlex linear, posted on February 27, 2017 at 07:26:46
Mercman
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Presently, I use an HDPlex to drive a 16TB GRAID drive, neatgear Ethernet switch, optical Ethernet converters, and an Asus mediabridge.

Tomorrow I will start work evaluating the SOtM sMS-200. I have a variety of LPS drives to try it with including the Sonore Signature, UpTone Audio UltraCap LPS-1, HDPlex 100w, and Fidelizer Nikola LPS.

I have one of these switches ordered.

No shortage of entertaining devices at my house!

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 09:56:33
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Very good observation there Abe.

And reading between the lines, I've noticed they both serve different functions as well......, what I was trying to get at is why aren't many owners of the MicroRendu trying it along with said UpTone Audio UltraCap LPS - 1?, which seems to be the one to beat, with maybe that Vinnie Rossi Capacitor driven one or maybe the Paul Hynes SR-7 as the very best means of powering their MicroRendu's.

I know that both the guys on Audio Stream are taken with the LPS-1, as are more then a few owners of any of these USB type devices over on CA, yet I've only seen it mentioned here as if it wasn't anything special. Yet the one logical reason I went with the JCAT was constantly seeing talk of buying said LPS-1 and then in turn powering it with another LPS, which strikes me as somewhat whack.

But then having all these extra boxes, scares me as well........, which is why I'm willing to see where the dust settles over the course of the next 6-17 months!, as I'm certain more and more offerings in these types of devices are right around the corner......, time shall tell.

Maybe, just maybe I'd be better served just pursuing the all in one type unit like the ELAC Discovery and chill......

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 10:12:31
AbeCollins
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My view on this may ruffle some feathers but audio is all about incremental gains and engineering is all about cost trade-offs. Bang for the buck, if you will. And with audio in many cases we are simply splitting hairs.

Yes, the power supply is important but as already stated, there is excellent internal regulation and power distribution within the microRendu. The outboard power supply does not need to be extravagant, just good. And lets not forget that the microRendu has no analog stages like a DAC. I would expect that the power requirements for a DAC would be more stringent than for a network streamer.

And sure, one can add isolation devices upon isolation devices and create a cabling rats nest (with potential for inducing even more noise rather than reducing it) but my preference is to KISS.

And IF you're just getting started with computer audio, ALL of this just adds to the confusion. IMHO just get started then muck around the periphery of myth and magic later. ;-)


 

Agree, posted on February 27, 2017 at 08:48:35
E-Stat
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My choice was determined by availability, budget and ability to deliver the target 7V output from Sonore's recommended list.

I didn't want a SMPS like the iFi or the Teddy Pardo designs. I wasn't going to spend $1k on the Sonore Signature either. That left the Vinnie Rossi and the HDPlex and I went with the latter.

I'm interested in hearing Steve's comparison among a handful of choices including both the HDPlex and the LPS-1. I have no doubt that since the latter was designed by John it is a better choice for the uRendu. The question as your post posits is: by how much?

 

RE: Agree, posted on February 27, 2017 at 09:15:46
AbeCollins
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Nothing wrong with the HDPlex for YOUR application on the microRendu IMHO. It's a big hammer and the microRendu is a small nail. The LPS-1 may be better in that it is a small hammer for a small nail. But the big hammer still does the job admirably. ;-)



 

On a related topic..., posted on February 27, 2017 at 09:33:13
E-Stat
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I just got back from a week long business conference and found a number of RPI related packages. As Dynobot observed, I need a micro USB to 5.5 mm adapter in order to use the Jameco PS. Today I ordered it and once again, I'm flying out for a couple of days.

Should have the thing running this weekend!

 

Totally Agree................., posted on February 26, 2017 at 10:18:44
Cut-Throat
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If you've got to strain to hear the difference, maybe there is none.



 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 10:20:22
el34eh@yahoo.com
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Thanks Abe.

As I view it, you've made a very sound statement which carries a great deal of merit. And besides that......., it was logically put at that.

Common logic goes a long ways it seems.

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 09:55:54
AbeCollins
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It seems odd to me that someone would compare the PS Audio LANRover to a Sonore microRendu and call them similar devices.

The author first describes the LANRover in great detail then further down he says, "Something similar has been recently released into the market as well, the Sonore microRendu ($690 with power supply)".

They are not similar. LANRover is simply a USB via Ethernet isolation device. The microRendu offers isolation via Ethernet but it does so much more as a network streamer.

The author also goes on to state, "Keep in mind the microRendu with LPS-1 combo does cost nearly double the LANRover at $1,035 vs the $599 of the LANRover."

True, but misleading IMHO as one does not need the combo with LPS-1.

The microRendu is $640 and sounds very nice even with the modest $50 iFi wall wart, entry LPS, or batteries for its power source as the microRendu designers went to great lengths focusing on it's internal regulators and power distribution.

The LANRover is essentially a USB via Ethernet isolation product rebranded with the PS Audio name and logo on it. They may have made minor mods to it but I doubt they respun the entire ASIC as that would be cost prohibitive for low volume production and sales.

I'm sure LANRover sounds wonderful in its intended application but microRendu and LANRover are not at all "similar devices". And a microRendu setup does not cost nearly double the LANRover.


 

Questions, posted on February 25, 2017 at 13:42:06
"The microRendu is $640 and sounds very nice even with the modest $50 iFi wall wart, entry LPS, or batteries for its power source as the microRendu designers went to great lengths focusing on it's internal regulators and power distribution."

Can you point me to documentation that outlines how the MRu is different than any other ARM board. Granted they all are different in some respect [ram, processor speed, etc]. I am curious about this ARM board.

Thanks in advance!


 

RE: Questions, posted on February 25, 2017 at 21:21:25
AbeCollins
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There was a detailed discussion on another website and I posted my findings here in the Asylum quite a while ago. You might find it searching the archives.

In any case, various voltage regulators, clock, USB, and some other circuits are carefully laid out and separated from the ARM board itself. They reside on the bottom blue board. The header connectors on the bottom board support the minimalist ARM board.

Photos of my open microRendu on the kitchen table








 

Thanks, posted on February 25, 2017 at 21:44:05
I'll look through the archives.

Meanwhile I've been searching the net and came across a lot of good info.

I couldn't find anything 'yet' on how to bypass the internal switching regulator. Do you know if its possible to bypass?

 

RE: Thanks, posted on February 25, 2017 at 21:50:36
AbeCollins
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I suppose it could be bypassed but that would likely involve cutting traces on the circuit board.

I see nothing wrong with using a switching regulator in the right place. In fact, many switching regulators for their application will outperform linear regulators. Case in point: There are wall warts that use switching regulators with much better performance specs vs the Jameco linear wall wart that I believe you have.

Linear doesn't always mean better.




 

I Agree, posted on February 25, 2017 at 22:12:13
There are some very well spec'd switching regulators. However, they still pollute the ground plane.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The MRu seems to use a LTM-4625 Switching Regulator, which measures

Line Regulation Accuracy VOUT = 0.04

http://cds.linear.com/docs/en/datasheet/4625fa.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would you say these numbers are just as good or better than the Jameco Linear Regulator?

 

RE: I Agree, posted on February 27, 2017 at 07:47:43
AbeCollins
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I mentioned that the ARM board in the mRendu sits atop the main board (and main power ground plane) via a couple header connectors so it is better isolated from that noise.

I'm not sure why you're posting the chip's line regulation accuracy. The chip has excellent performance in that regard which is a measure of it's output voltage accuracy over a wide range of input voltage. The input voltage in my case would be either 7VDC or 9VDC from an outboard power source to the mRendu.

You should have a look at the chip's ripple voltage spec of 5mV, 50x better than 250mV from the Jameco LPS. BTW, 250mV is a HUGE amount of ripple.

And a load regulation spec of 0.5% vs 6% for the Jameco LPS. More than x10 better.

I'm not picking on the Jameco, just pointing out that LPS specs are not always better than a switcher.


 

RE: I Agree, posted on February 27, 2017 at 12:34:19
"I'm not picking on the Jameco, just pointing out...."

You say you're not picking on my Jami, but it sure sounds like you're picking on my Jami....:-(

 

RE: I Agree, posted on February 27, 2017 at 15:12:34
AbeCollins
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Specs aside, I'm sure it will work and sound just fine. This comes down to how extravagant do these external power supplies have to be for the application - a Pi, mRendu, or similar device.

Contrary to audiophile beliefs and manufacturer marketing spin and brainwashing, I contend that in many cases they can be cheap $10 - $50 wall warts, but that goes against the grain of the high-end hobby. My mRendu sounds perfectly awesome with my $10 wall wart from Amazon, the $50 iFI wall wart, or my 7.2VDC battery pack.





 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 11:53:59
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6580
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
I have to agree with you. I couldn't see how they were similar devices.

 

What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 06:37:30
akltam
Audiophile

Posts: 1057
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: September 29, 2002
I just came across this thread and I read the MicroRendu website and I cannot understand what it actually does.

- Is MicroRendu a music server ?
- How is it operated ?
- How does it connect to my hard disk with all the hi-res files ?
- Does it work with my USB DAC with Amanero USB card ?
- What other peripherals are needed to setup this MicroRendu ?
- How to setup these MicroRendu ?

Many Thanks for any answers to these questions
Alan

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? Great Question, posted on February 25, 2017 at 14:03:56
I've been following this thing for a long time. I've yet to see how its that different that any other ARM board. Granted it supposed to do some 'magic stuff' inside. but as far as I can tell its just another ARM board except with a high price tag for "Audiophiles". This alone means its better I guess. But I'm waiting on Abe, he seems to be privy to good documentation about gear so he should be able to clear things up...

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? Great Question, posted on February 25, 2017 at 21:44:10
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46196
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Contributor
  Since:
February 2, 2002
There are at least hundreds of different ARM boards out there. Like anything else, I suppose it's a matter of which board the designer chooses and how he incorporates it into a complete system.

The Raspberry Pi is ARM based, very inexpensive, easy to work with, well known, and readily available to the hobbyist and educators. It has it's early roots as an educational device.

Other ARM boards are geared toward OEMs and wouldn't be so easy for a hobbyist to implement.

The ARM board in the microRendu is pretty minimalist with some supporting circuitry, including voltage regulators, clock, USB chip, and power distribution on a separate board.



 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 08:17:43
The microRendu is a network music player with one Ethernet input and one USB output. You stream music to it over the network and it delivers it to a USB DAC.

It is low power computer running Linux plus a selection of different open source audio streaming clients (SqueezeLite, MPD, ShairPort), HQ Player Embedded, and Roon. Each of these clients is a different output mode.

It can play your audio files streamed from a computer running LMS, Roon, or HQ Player. Or from a NAS running a DLNA server. It can also play Tidal streams via various means, and other streaming services with LMS, or AirPlay from an Apple device. In most modes, you control it from a computer. In MPD mode you control it from a DLNA control point app.

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 08:30:29
akltam
Audiophile

Posts: 1057
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: September 29, 2002
I am currently using a PC running Foobar (running on Windows 7) and then directly connect to an USB DAC (using Amanero USB card).

Why would I need to have another box in the middle ?

Alan

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 13:50:55
You don't *need* another box in the middle, if you're happy with the directly connected computer.

But some people (like me) prefer streaming versus direct file playback from a computer. One reason is that I have 8 or 9 different network playback devices around the house, 3-4 of which I use regularly. I want to maintain and manage one music library in one place (NAS) and stream it everywhere from there. Also, I don't want to be stuck with a control interface that's tethered to my audio system. And I prefer the convenience of using any of our tablets or phones to control any of our playback devices.

There are also the problems of noise and ground loops that have plagued a lot of computer audio setups. These are solvable problems, but a lot of people would rather just buy a device like the microRendu, which is an audio computer that's optimized better than 99% of people could manage on their own.

One other appeal of the microRendu is the versatility of its software package. They loaded the thing with all the major Linux network audio players.

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 08:51:44
Ugly
Audiophile

Posts: 2912
Location: Des Moines, WA
Joined: August 22, 2006
Because the "middle" is now electrically isolated and that isolation from the PC may have the effect of reducing noise in some systems.

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 09:36:33
akltam
Audiophile

Posts: 1057
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: September 29, 2002
Intona can do this job without complication by adding more software layer,

Have I missed anything ?

Alan

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 11:53:32
Ugly
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Posts: 2912
Location: Des Moines, WA
Joined: August 22, 2006
I don't know.

Did you know many former Intona USB isolator users have now "upgraded" to the micro rendu approach after having tried it both ways?

Unless you've tried it both/all ways it may be impossible to tell if you are missing anything.

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 21:35:55
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46196
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
February 2, 2002


I wouldn't necessarily call the microRendu a definitive "upgrade". That would depend on one's system(s). For me, I call the microRendu another approach. An elegant and cost effective one at that. I still have the Intona USB isolator and I use the microRendu in another system. Both systems sound wonderful.


 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 12:05:19
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6580
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
One could also use the Intona with the MicroRendu.

I have accumulated so many devices, power supplies, and cables, that the combinations are overwhelming.

Like Abe, I like to keep things simple.

 

RE: What does MicroRendu do ? , posted on February 25, 2017 at 17:25:05
Ugly
Audiophile

Posts: 2912
Location: Des Moines, WA
Joined: August 22, 2006
Good point. Hadn't thought of that one. Only after one has tried all infinity factorial combinations of doohickeys and registry tweaks can one speak with authority on the matter.

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 05:39:50
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
I've been powering my uR with a Hynes SR7 containing two stages of DC down regulation to 7Vdc. The set-up is still breaking in, but so far pretty amazing SQ. I just replaced a copper DC power umbilical to the uR with an 8 awg silver one-- which was another step up. The little giant is obviously sensitive to power. SQ at DS128 into an Esoteric K-01X is close to the CDP's VRDS-NEO transport. I'm doing all upsampling and filtering in software in Roon's DSP engine on a QNAP TVS-882 NAS. SQ also improved with substitution of an Ethernet gigabit switch in place of the Verizon network router between NAS and uR.

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 07:15:10
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003

Hello Dave,

Thanks for chiming in, as your post were actually a few I read on said matters over on CA, and even thought about ordering one of those Paul Hynes or TeddyPardo type LPSs, as well as that nicely done DC Barrel Cable you had made.

But in the end decided I merely wanted something simpler, as I began to notice more often then not most users seemingly started to add extra boxes and wiring, which then lead me towards the JCAT ( Intona) USB Isolator instead. Yet I do regret not having tried it with an iFi Nano or Micro iUSB 3.0 Power device before selling them off, as it reads like there was some sort of synergy going on here between these two brands which I'm inclined to find out.

The MicroRendu's requirements are simply beyond me, and not being a technical sort, having to set up a NAS or other means of connecting it to my system other then USB and Wi-Fi are off-putting to me for these sole reasons........., maybe at some point in the future, I'll have gained more insight and convenient and see what I've been missing?. But for now........, I'll have to re-learn a lot more then what I understand now, to even remotely think of such advancements system wise......., yet enjoy watching you guys lead the way.

So as always........., much respect for that in itself.

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 07:31:41
Dave Garretson
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Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
I'm not a "computer guy" either, and shared similar reservations prior to jumping in. It's actually much simpler than you might think to set up a QNAP NAS and connect to the microRendu appliance with a Windows tablet for control over the NAS and Roon. The headless NAS communicates with QNAP's QTS software downloaded to a Windows tablet. The QTS software has the look and feel of a simple GUI-based desktop. No need to understand anything about Unix for this. One of Roon's partners offers free downloadable software that sets up the Roon core on the NAS. Then Roon transparently discovers and configures the uR. All very straightforward.

I can't imagine higher performance and more music storage capacity at anywhere near the price point of this package.

 

RE: MicroRendu LPSs., posted on February 25, 2017 at 08:57:40
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003

Thanks Dave,

As I find that quite reassuring. I do recall that Abe had mentioned one doesn't have to use a NAS, and having invested nearly $900 on 3TB worth of HHD | a single 960MB SSD unit, has me someone looking forward to when I can actually get around to using one of these.

Yet having looked at the differences between several brands of NAS, as well as which SATA Drives were more reliable then others, it seems once again this might prove to be my next venture by years end, as it stands I've more to learn........, but love knowledge in itself, so all of this information is more then a blessing.

 

DC power umbilical, posted on February 25, 2017 at 06:11:06
Shep
Audiophile

Posts: 249
Location: Southeast U.S.
Joined: March 13, 2001
Hey Dave,
Can you please provide details re: the silver DC umbilical you're using to the uR (where ya got it, length, $, etc)? I got the Cardas DC-4 umbilical w/my uR/Uptone LPS-1/sT i5 bundle but it's too short for the set-up I've settled on (uR straight into the DAC w/the Cardas adapter & LPS-1 some 2' away). I'm currently using the umbilical included w/the LPS-1 but am looking for an improvement in something approx. the same length (28"). 8 awg seems...jinormous!!
TIA for any info you can provide.

 

RE: DC power umbilical, posted on February 25, 2017 at 07:46:38
Mercman
Audiophile

Posts: 6580
Location: So. CA
Joined: October 20, 2002
I just found this, but the prices are steep.

 

RE: DC power umbilical, posted on February 25, 2017 at 07:13:58
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005



I made it myself from bundles of Rio Grande dead soft .999 fine silver round wire p/n 105320. Sorry, when I posted above I confused the aggregate gauge with an AC PC that I made from the same strands. For the uR umbilical I twisted eight 20awg strands per conductor(totaling 10-11awg) into 3' lengths. The wire bundle is tapered down to three strands per conductor at the end in order to fit inside the male connector. The bundles are insulated by McMaster Carr 1/2" polyolefin heat shrink tubing. Total cost is around $100.

 

RE: DC power umbilical, posted on February 25, 2017 at 07:27:51
Shep
Audiophile

Posts: 249
Location: Southeast U.S.
Joined: March 13, 2001
Thank you...much appreciated.

 

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