Optical vs Ultra Rendu.


Is it worth the $696 more to go with the optical Rendu:

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/recommended-solutions/products/systemoptique-server-player-combo-sonictransporter-i5-or-i7-cdr-opticalrendu-4-port-gigabit-switch-with-fiber-port-and-power-supplies

Over the standard (ethernet connected) ultra Rendu:

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/audio-server/products/premier-server-player-combo-sonictransporter-i5-ultrarendu-7v-linear-power-supply

Has anybody compared these units, is there a notable difference in sound quality between these two?  Both still connect to the DAC via USB. 

high-amp

Showing 1 response by duckworp

There is an excellent office switch you can buy cheaply called the Cisco 2960. Despite huge production this business/office switch was still hundreds of dollars when new back in the day as it is built very well with an excellent internal power supply. Bought Used it is only a few tens of dollars these days. These switches have a great reputation in the audio world as the sound quality is comparable with the best audio switches. And it has an optical output which will connect directly to the OpticalRendu > via usb to dac.

Modem/Router > via Ethernet to Cisco 2960 switch > via optical to OpticalRendu

Also you would connect the Cisco 2960 via Ethernet to your Server.

Like all optical connections you need a little SFP module to be inserted into the OpticalRendu optical port and the Cisco optical port. I suspect that the Optical Rendu comes with one so you will just need to buy a compatible one for the Cisco. They only cost a few dollars.