Digital Transports - USB Solutions, CD and SD Players, DAPs, and More!

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Hands, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    I understand and agree, which is why your message is the most confusing thing to me. I'm not sure if you read what I wrote in both messages, but I tried to make it abundantly clear I do own the Mutec and the microRendu. I have owned the Mutec since last April and the mRendu since June. I can definitely speak from experience from those two devices from the Gungnir Multibit. Just because I haven't heard the Rednet device, it doesn't mean I can't speculate on its relative ranking with the devices I have owned, when I've read Luckbad's impressions here on head-fi as well as exchanged personal messages with Clemm regarding the same.

    The information I am providing is that, from my direct experience with both devices and through my chain, the microRendu is sonically superior to the Mutec, at least in the latter's pre-modded form. That was also made explicit in both posts.

    Where the f**k does the Rednet fall in line here?

    That's pretty much all I'm trying to get at, and I can make an educated guess that it is definitely both, but the mRendu in between it and the stock Mutec.
     
  2. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I am sorry I am not clear, what was odd to read for me was your guess that the Microrendu would slot between the Mutec and Rednet. But then you go on to say you would like to hear a Rednet someday.

    I have no problem with your subjective ranking of the microRendu vs the Mutec, it is a helpful reference. What is also helpful and natural is the way one person may hear things vs another. I think all of us at some time or another would think, "why is that person going so hype crazy on that ? when I thought it sucked".
     
  3. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    [​IMG][​IMG]
    I got it, and no worries. The only reason I said that was because Clemm, who owns or owned both, and gldgate, who owned both, have said the Rednet is sonically superior. I have not personally heard the Rednet but would like to.

    I wrote this is for two reasons: 1) currently, the Rednet devices, Mutec devices, and the microRendu are arguably the most popular solutions competing for the same market, with the Mutec in fact being used by both mRendu and Rednet fanatics for reclocking purposes 2) I'd like to know specifically where the mRendu, which I own, places in this chain.

    Here is Luckbad's ranking from the link provided above:

    1. Focusrite Rednet 3
    2. Mutec MC-3+ Smart Clock USB
    3. Lynx E22
    4. Singxer SU-1
    5. Mutec MC-1.2
    6. CI Audio Transient MKII
    7. Singxer F-1
    8. Audio-GD DIU8
    9. ESI Juli@ XTe
    10. Audio-GD DI-2014
    11. Gustard U8

    I fucked up by using the word guess, I guess, but it seems to me based on my experience and conversations with others who have owned both that the mRendu is certainly above 2 but below 1, even with the shitty iFi PSU feeding the mRendu. In that case, there is a potentially cheaper solution than the Mutec if users don't want to f**k around with a giant, Red device on their rack. Now, where does the Soundaware D100 sit in relation to this?
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2016
  4. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    If you read Luckbad's article, even for him, he chose to settle with just the lynx E22 to Mutec MC-3+ USB.

    As for the Mutec MC-3+USB, now you have to put the new sound signature of the V1.10 firmware into the picture. It's really getting too complicated to compare all these different setups.

    All these transport are getting pretty expensive in relation to the cost of the DAC/whole system setup. Especially if you daisy-chain them up.

    I am a happy camper with my Wyrd > Mutec MC-3+ USB > Lifatec Toslink > Yggdrasil setup that I don't think I will be investing in any other additional devices as I guess it would be getting very diminishing in returns. And that's my two cents.

     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2016
  5. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I would love to try a microRendu some day, it intrigues me more than the other stuff and it's not too expensive vs some of the other solutions. Right now having a lot of "fun" futzing with new pc sources and hearing how they can affect the sound in some systems.

    What mode do you use in the microrendu, may not be the right term, but I think I read it can be used with dlna or squeeze type protocols as well as others? Can one run foobar on a production machine and get great sound via the mircorendu or is it best to dedicate the computer to audio and nothing else?
     
  6. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    I think it's worth checking out if looking for a cheaper solution than the Mutec but don't want to spring for the Rednet, even if everyone who owned the mRendu and tries the Rednet 3 ends up preferring the latter's sonic, but not user-friendly, characteristics.

    I am using it in RAAT mode now with Roon but may end up trying the NAA mode eventually, as several users prefer it to the former, even with all upsampling, dithering, and whatnot turned off in HQPlayer (a necessity with the automatic upsampling filters built into the Gungnir Multibit and the Yggdrasil).
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2016
  7. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    Indeed, I did see he ended up choosing the E22. I actually appreciated that because it vindicates indirectly my own decision, at the moment, to remain content with the mRendu, which sounds simply fantastic, even if the Rednet 3 may have the upper hand. I appreciate its user-friendliness and its small footprint, and it sounds damned good.

    Yep, I have the 1.10 firmware installed on the Mutec MC-3+USB.

    My Yggdrasil arrives today, and I will be excited to see how it performs with both devices feeding it via AES. I have been using the Gungnir Multibit, with both devices, before that.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2016
  8. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    If you are going for the Mutec + Yggdrasil combo then you must also try out the Lifatec Glass Optical Toslink Cable, This USD$70 glass cable sounds better than my USD~$300 110ohm AES Cable when it comes to transparency of sound and accurate tone of piano. (Both AES and Optical are good, just that one is bettered)

    And just for fun, I disconnected my wyrd + mutec + Yggdrasil chain and just PC direct (belkin usb cable) to Yggdrasil Gen3 Cmedia USB. It's more murkier sounding with less plankton and less tonality and much less focused sound.

    I guess you really need something along the level of the Mutec to get the Yggdrasil to a whole new level of performance.
     
  9. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    you almost have me convinced to try glass, but are there any others aspect (bass, soundstage, cymbals) that glass cable does differently than AES?
    TIA
     
  10. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    This is using my Yamaha HS8 speaker(no frequency adjustment done on the back switches of speakers), with Michael Jackson's Billie Jean(flac) as test track:

    AES has more bass decay than glass, glass Toslink's Bass seems to have much less decay(almost non-existent). Bass attack is about the same for both. A noticeably more boomier sound on the AES(bass dominating most of the sound signautre).

    Hi hat sounds: It sounds more brighter and better attack on the Glass. Hi hat seems more recessed/background on AES(might be due to bass notes dominating more of the sound signature).

    Soundstage: the AES sounds more intimate, more closed in(about two rows forward) and just a tad smaller in width. Glass has more depth and a wider presence.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2016
  11. trung225

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    The lacks of decay in bass is the main reason I have against Toslink. From my experience in concert hall and some good acoustic environment, there is no place have that kind of "clean/transparent" sound character Toslink delivers (the nearest place who can come close is Avery Fischer Hall in London), and I think AES/SPDIF coaxial is far better than Toslink
     
  12. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    If you can't spend 650 on the uRendu, the Sonicorbiter SE is really good, too, for half the price.

    The big advantage of both is to remove the noisy PC in the chain. The microRendu is more advanced - it was designed from the ground up for USB audio - but I guess just like the REGEN does not improve all the DACs, the uRendu/Sonicorbiter SE might not be that different with such DACs.

    I really enjoy the Sonicorbiter with the Mojo at work. More relaxed but at the same time more engaging than direct USB connection to my workstation.
     
  13. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Did you mean the London Symphony Orchestra recorded in Avery Fischer Hall?
     
  14. trung225

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    Sorry for my screwed mind, I mean Royal Festival Hall in London, not Avery Fischer Hall. :(
     
  15. kevnin

    kevnin #facetweeting - Friend

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    Decided to go with the Singxer SU-1, feeding BNC into Gungnir Multibit. While going from memory is always tough, I am pretty confident it is indeed better than the Mutec 1.2. In addition to enhancing soundstage the Singxer also tightens up the bass, which the Mutec did not do.
     
  16. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I prefer the Singxer SU-1 to the Mutec MC-1.2 as well. It's not quite as good as the MC3+USB, but it isn't far off.
     
  17. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    @Luckbad, Have you chain the Singxer SU-1 with the Mutec MC3+USB. As in Singxer being the DDC while Mutec reclocks.
     
  18. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    @Clemmaster and @Artasia I am setting up a new system based around the Mobi and Vali2. I am currently streaming to Chromecast audio SPDIF to Mobi using JRMC and bubbleupnp since I moved the system away from my computer. What would your recommendation be for my budget system? Sonicorbiter SE vs uRendu vs hifiberry vs sticking with chromecast?
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2016
  19. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Sonicorbiter SE + USB
    I tried the Sonicorbiter's optical with the Mobi + Vali2, it was inferior.

    I wouldn't spend 640 on the microRendu, unless you plan on upgrading the system later (and stick with USB). The Sonicorbiter is a better value, which makes more sense in this "budget" system.

    If not done already, upgrading the Vali2 tube is a must, too. Unless you got a lucky stock tube (which wasn't my case).
     
  20. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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