SONORE MICRORENDU 1.5 - REVIEW
Streaming with the Sonore microRendu 1.5
Sonore is a small company that has had a huge impact on digital audio over the past number of years. Sonore started out with a few original designs and a line of cutting edge imported products, They had a superb sounding SPDIF Ethernet streamer early on, then they brought to market a major game changer, in the original microRendu.
It was a ‘from scratch’ design that provided an ethernet input and a fine-tuned USB output, with every PCM and DSD sample rate supported. The product runs, on their SonicOrbiter operating system. New features were added at a fast clip, with Roon integration, access to premium lossless streaming services, and various other modes. Over the course of several years, there were some hardware upgrades, and several SonicOrbiter updates via microSD card.
Sonore discontinued the original mircoRendu due to a scarcity of parts, and because they had wanted to implement some hardware upgrades. And they did this without raising the price. In fact, they lowered the price! The mircoRendu 1.5 currently sells direct from Sonore for $399, with a choice of numerous outboard power supplies available at all budgets. Note, Sonore has several versions of the Rendu series, including the opticalRendu and flagship Signature Rendu SE. Sonore also offers some excellent accessories, a small DAC, and cables.
We had been running the original microRendu since the day it was introduced, with Roon output, to a variety of high end DACs, and when the 1.5 became available it was a no brainer purchase. It was plug and play, yet again, and we moved the older microRendu to our office system. Win-win. The 1.5, like it’s predecessor, is the size of a pack of cards, superbly built, and is as ridiculously easy to configure.
In a nutshell, we are using the microRendu 1.5 with Rosewill Cat7 Ethernet cable at the input, and Intona USB Cables in and out of an Intona USB isolater, which feeds a Bryston BDA-3 DAC. Roon is running on a 2021 M1 chip Mac Mini. Our library is 100% local, 10TB spread across three G-Tech external drives. The entire library consists of FLAC and DSD files in DSF format.
The rest of the system consists of a Rogue Audio Stereo 100 power amp, a Rogue RP5 preamp, Mangepan 1.7i speakers, and a full loom of Black Cat Cable Graceline Level 1 analog cables. We used a Little Green Computer outboard linear power supply to provide juice to the 1.5. Also of note is the use of the TP-Link optical isolaters in the chain. They are a very cost effective and an easy upgrade which provide a palpable improvement. If one purchases the opticalRendu, a bigger investment, no other isolaters are necessary .
The first thing we did after situating the unit was log on to the IP address, set for Roon, then in Roon, select the microRendu 1.5 as a the output device. Done. Nothing left to do but pick up the iPad Air 2 and select albums. How is that for plug ‘n play? Thankfully, the days of sketchy network connections and annoying glitches are long gone. Thankfully.
The first album we called up was the 50th Anniversary remaster of CSNY’s uber classic Deja Vu, from 1970. To our ears, this 24/192 version is the digital definitive. Having heard this album in every conceivable format, we can say we have never heard so much recorded detail, and the original mix has never been revealed in all it’s glory like this. Acoustic guitars shimmer, the vocal harmonies were superbly detailed, and the whole thing was as analog like as digital can be. The added bonus tracks, in the form of alternative mixes and takes, are revelatory, and are a rock archivists dream.
Next up was the DSD remaster by Analogue Productions of Duke Ellington’s masterful Blues In Orbit. Listening to this tour de force was a like being transported back in time, with the brass having natural, live bite, the bass, drums, and piano all sitting perfectly in their space in the sound picture. The track title track swings like nobody’s business, and shines a light on the brilliance of the arrangement. Sign me up for this any day of the week.
Switching gears and digging into some newer releases, we were enthralled, by a variety of 24 bit albums from Jeb Loy Nichols, Charley Crockett, Laura Mvula, Dylan LeBlanc, Island, Nine Skies, Matt Deighton, Amber Coffman, and many others. Without exception, we were treated to an enjoyable, fatigue-free, listening experience. One particular stand out was Mommy Issues, by the Brookyn based band The Narcotix. The 24 bit Bandcamp download is a melange of jazz, soul, psychedelia, and indie rock..a masterpiece of a debut. Every track is a journey, with exquisite drumming, bass lines, and various vocal melodies and chants.
Just in time, before publication, Stone Temple Pilots released a high-rez remaster of their classic third album, Tiny Music. The Deluxe Edition features the original album, and a slew of out takes at 96 Khz, and a full concert from 1997 at 48 Khz. Like the remasters of STP’s first two albums, Core, and Purple, this anniversary edition is a revelation. The drums crack, the bass is serpentine, and the guitars have excellent crunch. The late, great, Weiland’s chameleon act as a vocalist is center stage, with tracks like “Lady Picture Show” and “Tumble In The Rough” have him staking his claim as one of the best front-men of the period, along with with Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell, Axl Rose, and others.
As mentioned,Sonore has a number of peripherals available for sale for their streamers, aside from power supplies, they have USB cables, a high grade USB connector instead of a cable, a budget DAC, and optical isolation devices. They offer bundles on occasion which are money savers. They also offer strong technical support if needed on their forum.
The microRendu 1.5 is clearly a superbly transparent streamer, that, when connected to a quality DAC, will make listening to a networked library a breeze. With onboard apps in SonicOrbiter, one can use the 1.5 in a variety of settings—Roon, HQPlayer, DLNA, Squeezebox Server, etc.—and there is DAC customization. Every legitimate sample rate and format is supported from mp3 to DSD, and everything in between.
The microRendu can also be tweaked by up market power supplies, high grade USB cables, and Ethernet isolation devices. All of these noted items are optional. You can do just fine with a modest power supply, preferably around 7v, and a modest USB cable. We strongly suggest Rosewill Ethernet cables. High quality, and inexpensive.
As mentioned,Sonore has a number of peripherals available for sale for their streamers, aside from power supplies, they have USB cables, a high grade USB connector (instead of a cable), a budget DAC, and optical isolation devices. They offer sale bundles on occasion which are money savers. They also offer strong technical support if needed on their forum.
With all of the engineering, high grade parts, and support, Sonore has pulled off a miracle. To put it in to perspective, the microRendu 1.5 costs less than most “audiophile” power cords, USB filtering devices, and even less than most linear power supplies. At $399, + plus a power supply, the microRendu 1.5 is a crazy deal.
SOFTWARE FEATURES
Supports the following PCM sample rates up to: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, and 768kHz
Supports the following DSD sample rates up to: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
POP free DSD/PCM transitions
Not all USB devices or output modes support the maximum sample rate of the unit
RoonReady certified
Audirvana Plus certified
Running Logitech Media Server locally allows playback of local radio stations and streaming service
Logitech Media Server allows you to use the unit as a UPNP server in combination with Drive Mounter
The Software Manager that allows you to install and uninstall apps as needed
BubbleUPnP Server app allows any renderer to take advantage of the OhMedia - OpenHome protocol
OhMedia - OpenHome protocol allows the Linn Kinsky and Linn Kazoo Apps with playlist support to be used as controllers
Supports Tidal and Qobuz lossless streaming via thrid party applications
Native DSD supported
The unit is controlled via third-party apps on your mobile device and on your computer
Based on Sonicorbiter, closed source and open source (GPLv2)
HARDWARE FEATURES
Improved two power converters and their associated capacitors (v1.5 only)
Improved the clock buffer to one used in opticalRendu (v1.5 only)
Improved the USB A jack to the through hole one used in other Rendu boards (v1.5 only)
Four (4) high-quality ultra low noise regulators
Fixed frequency high-quality low jitter oscillator
RJ45 input connector
USB-A audio output connector
Micro SD port for the operating system
External power input jack
Multicore processor with DDR3 RAM
Power input: 6-9 VDC (9 VDC not recommended) at 1 Amp min continuous
Operating Conditions: up to 73 F/22.8 C
Power connector: 2.1mm x 5.5mm (center +)
Dimension: 3.5"x2.2"x.7"
CE, FCC, and RoHS certified
Product page:
https://www.sonore.us/microRendu.html
The Company
SONORE computer audio
Sonore microRendu 1.5 $399.00
SONORE computer audio
sonore.us