Sonore version 1.4 hardware upgrade impressions

Discussion in 'Computer Audiophile: Software, Configs, Tools' started by Puma Cat, Sep 9, 2017.

  1. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2017
    Likes Received:
    868
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    East Bay, CA
    I've been using a Sonore microRendu with Hardware version 1.3 since last December 2016 to stream music files from my Mac Mini music server to my early release (Jan 2012) D/S Gungnir via USB.

    Sonore released a new hardware upgrade, version 1.4 in July, 2017. I just received my upgraded microRendu with the Version 1.4 hardware upgrade this week, and I can say that the new upgrade is a considerable improvement in sound quality over version 1.3. The upgrade consists of using new ultra-low jitter oscillators, so you're essentially getting a new "clock" upgrade.


    To spare TL/DR; I'll cut to chase regarding the hardware upgrade for the Sonore microRendu from v1.3 to v1.4. (My notes for more context as to why I have been very pleased using the Sonore microRendu are in the "addendum" in blue text below)

    I find that the new 1.4 hardware upgrade provides significant improvement in sound quality. What I noticed most was a lower noise floor, increased soundstage width and depth, improved articulation of musical instruments , more refined and delicate instrumental and vocal timbres and, increased resolution but not at the price of a more etched or sterile sound, Vocals and sutble instrumental details are notably improved in terms of “musicality”, but in a really nice, natural way. Overall, a more spacious, sweeter, musical, refined and most importantly, engaging musical presentation. Turnaround time from the time Sonore received the unit and shipped it back out was only a few days.

    ADDENDENDUM:
    I specifically bought the Sonore microRendu for meeting a specific set of needs:
    1. I wanted to be able to implement a Roon endpoint with the Roon core residing on the Mac Mini, as I really like Roon's capabilities, functionality, interface, as well as sound quality.
    2. I wanted to get the Mac Mini completely out of the audio rack, take it off the same AC mains line that the preamp/amplifier/DAC was on, and place it in the far opposite end of the house, thereby removing a lot of high-bandwidth garbage/hash/noise/RFI emanating from a computer sitting next to my audio gear (and unshielded speaker cables).
    3. Moving the Mac Mini also allowed me to hard-connect it (and thereby the Roon Core) via Ethernet to my network router which has resulted much more stable network connectivity when accessing Roon on the Mac Mini from my Macbook Pro or iPad running Roon in "Remote Control" mode on those devices.
    4. As an added plus, I also found that the Sonore resulted in a notable increase in overall sound quality overall compared to my original setup of my Mac Mini connected via USB to Gen 2 USB Gungnir (via Wyrd). I attribute this improvement in part to a) no longer needing a direct USB cable connection from the computer to Gungnir via Wyrd b) no longer needing to use 2 USB cables to use Wyrd and 3) the reclocked/regenerated USB signal I was getting from the Rendu. I should also add that I did not have at this point a means of providing a SPDIF source; was running strictly with USB as an input; see post-note below).
    Overall, I've been VERY happy with the Sonore microRendu in my system. And Roon just flat rocks.

    Post-Note: I've been using the Schiit Eitr USB/SPDIF convertor and a 75 ohm Shunyata Venom digitial coax cable in conjunction with Sonore microRendu v. 1.3 hardware since the USB port/controller failed on Gungnir right around the time I moved the Mac Mini out of the audio rack (thereby prompting me to place an order and wait "in queue" for six weeks to send my unit for its Gen5/MB upgrade). Using Eitr to provide a connection to Gungnir's SPDIF input significantly increased the sound quality of Gungnir. All this time I wasn't hearing what Gungnir was fully capable of using its original USB interface; I wish Eitr had been available sooner! The new version 1.4 hardware upgrade brought the additional improvements described above.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2017

Share This Page