AUDIO over IP - REDNET 3 & 16 Review. AES67 Sets A New Standard for Computer Audio

[rb2013]

Does the 16r have an smps as well? I thought the power cables didn't make much audible difference on the r3, if any.

All three, the RN3, Mutec, and the Antelope have SMPS. But a better power chord does make a difference, no reason it shouldn't. One of the main issues with switching mode power supplies is the high levels of noise they feed back into the AC mains. So at a min they should be isolated from the DAC. The DAC's clocks can be effected by this noise feeding back from the polluted AC power.

 

[rb2013]

This assumes your DAC has some form of linear power. My PC has a fanless low noise SeaSonic PS, but a SMPS, so it gets isolated. But I'd like to get two more PB4X4Pro's, one each for isolating the Mutec and Antelope from the RN and each other.

 

[classfolkphile]

All three, the RN3, Mutec, and the Antelope have SMPS. But a better power chord does make a difference, no reason it shouldn't. One of the main issues with switching mode power supplies is the high levels of noise they feed back into the AC mains. So at a min they should be isolated from the DAC. The DAC's clocks can be effected by this noise feeding back from the polluted AC power.

Absolutely. I even found this to be true with the Uptone Regen. An iFi iPower was better than the stock power supply using either the stock cord or a Pangea AC14SE. But when I tried a Triode Wire Labs PC on the stock supply, it beat the iFi iPower. And this is with them plugged into a PI Audio Digi-Buss.

 

[alubis]

The more I hear the rednet d16, the more impressed I become. Gosh this rednet d16 is really on another level compare to usb. Thank you to @rb2013 and @mhamel for introducing the rednet.

 

[rb2013]

 
Absolutely. I even found this to be true with the Uptone Regen. An iFi iPower was better than the stock power supply using either the stock cord or a Pangea AC14SE. But when I tried a Triode Wire Labs PC on the stock supply, it beat the iFi iPower. And this is with them plugged into a PI Audio Digi-Buss.

I have had a similar experience with the TeraDak LPS's - ditching the stock power cord for even a generic silver/niobium chord helped the SQ a lot - with the Cerious Graphene Extreme - major improvement.  The Silver cords I bought new on audiogon for $70 a couple of years back.  The Cerious Graphene list for $500.

 

[Tand2016]

The more I hear the rednet d16, the more impressed I become. Gosh this rednet d16 is really on another level compare to usb. Thank you to @rb2013 and @mhamel for introducing the rednet.

I totally agree! Is sounds so good already. My usb chain will soon be for sale. But after 100 hours or so I will go back to it just for fun. The Rednet stays!  

 

[rb2013]

The more I hear the rednet d16, the more impressed I become. Gosh this rednet d16 is really on another level compare to usb. Thank you to @rb2013 and @mhamel for introducing the rednet.

Great to hear you experience is similar to our own.  Hat's off to Mike - he's the guy who 'found' the REDNETs and first to try one.
 
I would begin modding the PS on my REDNET - but may be selling it soon - as the experiments on the BURL B2 Bomber DAC with Dante BKII with mods is turning out pretty amazing.  So I have left my RN3 stock and just used the Art Audio common and differential mode AC isolators and filters to keep it separate from the AC line feeding my DAC, and amp.

 

[rb2013]

 
I totally agree! Is sounds so good already. My usb chain will soon be for sale. But after 100 hours or so I will go back to it just for fun. The Rednet stays!  

Kind of amazed at the zero activity on the CA REDNET thread - completely off their radar.  Funny for a site dedicated to computer audio.
 
After over a decade of hard work to perfect my digital source - this AOIP solution is truly a Sea Change.  Boy are they missing out.

 

[enginedr]

   
Congrats - I'm pretty sure you will be satisfied with your puchase.

 I installed the Mutec MC- 3 USB in the chain as a SPDIF re clocker  using the Antelope Live clock as the external clock for the RN3 as well as the Mutec
All I can say is Harmonic texture overload Wow . I feel it needs to calm down a bit . hope the burn in helps .

 

[mourip]

 
 I installed the Mutec MC- 3 USB in the chain as a SPDIF re clocker  using the Antelope Live clock as the external clock for the RN3 as well as the Mutec
All I can say is Harmonic texture overload Wow . I feel it needs to calm down a bit . hope the burn in helps .

 
I have a similar setup and now just listen to music instead of planning the next upgrade. The tonality, texture, and dynamics are truly remarkable. I may need to turn in my Audiophile card...
 
Having said that has anyone heard more about the rumor that Dante might be releasing an update that would allow rate changing on the fly? There was a rumor that in August a firmware update might make it possible for the application to determine the rate of the Rednet device. I emailed Audinate(Dante) to ask about this and was told that the rumor was "unfounded."

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

For me the Rednet by itself is more than enough straight to my MHDT Pagoda. Now I'm looking into better speaker amps and possibly better speakers... more the former.

 

[Youth]

Anyone know if they will make a consumer version? As I understand it is designed for studio use and there alot of things we don't really need.

 

[jabbr]

......

Having said that has anyone heard more about the rumor that Dante might be releasing an update that would allow rate changing on the fly? There was a rumor that in August a firmware update might make it possible for the application to determine the rate of the Rednet device. I emailed Audinate(Dante) to ask about this and was told that the rumor was "unfounded."

Hi Mourip

It is not a "rumour", but a statement from FocusRite product development. Read the complete statement again here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/806827/audio-over-ip-rednet-3-16-review-aes67-sets-a-new-standard-for-computer-audio/930#post_12697204

It is a change made in the Focusrite Rednet Control software, which is why the answer by Audinate is so confusing, because they are not the company delivering this change.

I you want I can give the name of the person at Focusrite making this statement :rolleyes:

Cheers

 

[Muziqboy]

Anyone know if they will make a consumer version? As I understand it is designed for studio use and there alot of things we don't really need.

 
These RedNet's are mainly geared for Pro/Studio integration and I agree with you that we only need the 2 channel outputs but for audiophiles like us, we are not the target customers of these devices. You may be waiting for a very long time for a consumer version.

 

[johnjen]

Anyone know if they will make a consumer version? As I understand it is designed for studio use and there alot of things we don't really need.

There was talk a ways back that they (Focusrite) would at least consider a 'stripped down' version and the word at the time was the price would drop to ≈75% of the existing RedNet series.
 
And because there are 2 manufactures involved (Focusrite and Audinate) the prices will tend to remain 'elevated'.
 
But we figure someone in china might come up with an alternative of some sort.
 
And this process is what will take some time to 'perfect' seeing that we are talking about 3 separate products (2-s/w, 1-h/w) that need to work together, seamlessly.
 
JJ