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

[Golfnutz]

 
I believe Core Audio Technology has gone bust. The website is down for months and there are posts all over computer audiophile about failed orders and over priced work.
 
I will wait to see how the posters on here get on with the upgrade. It has risks I realise, re warranty etc but if it sounds better.....

I could have posted that, but chose not to, which is why I said search the internet for company/person.
 
There were a couple of reasons for making the initial post:
 
1. Looks like someone actually did the modification already.
2. With someone of this persons experience, why did he choose an external LPS vs something internal (could have reused the Rednet On/Off switch and IEC receptacle). This is something that JohnJen is taking into consideration for his project. Obviously, internal changes only would look much better aesthetically.
3. Was the change (upgrade?) really worth it in his opinion. How good were the improvements (if any). If possible, contacting him could be helpful.

 

[gldgate]

  Sorry if this question has already been answered, but has anyone tried out the (expensive) Rednet or Yamaha dante cards? Do they make any audible improvements over a normal network card?
Yamaha AIC128-D Dante Accelerator PCI-e card
Focusrite Rednet pcie soundcard

I do not remember anyone who has posted on this thread who has used one. For what it is worth I called and asked Sweetwater about this (where I purchased my D16) a while ago. The Sweetwater Rep said that there was no need to get the Rednet PCI-e card if I had no drop-outs using the virtual sound card (which I don't). The dedicated PCI-e card is for improved latency for those that need it - likely the folks who are running up to 16 channels - probably overkill for the majority of us 2 channel guys. I found it refreshing that they essentially turned down a sale. Another reason why more and more I prefer Pro Audio to the Consumer side. No feeding off audio-nervosa.

 

[mourip]

  I do not remember anyone who has posted on this thread who has used one. For what it is worth I called and asked Sweetwater about this (where I purchased my D16) a while ago. The Sweetwater Rep said that there was no need to get the Rednet PCI-e card if I had no drop-outs using the virtual sound card (which I don't). The dedicated PCI-e card is for improved latency for those that need it - likely the folks who are running up to 16 channels - probably overkill for the majority of us 2 channel guys. I found it refreshing that they essentially turned down a sale. Another reason why more and more I prefer Pro Audio to the Consumer side. No feeding off audio-nervosa.

 
Cybershaft 10M OCXO clock Premium>Antelope Liveclock>RedNet D16> AES cable>Mutec MC-3+USB> AES cable>Schiit Yggy
 
Noting your digital chain, have you tried sample rate following or do you have your chain set to a single rate?

 

[gldgate]

   
Cybershaft 10M OCXO clock Premium>Antelope Liveclock>RedNet D16> AES cable>Mutec MC-3+USB> AES cable>Schiit Yggy
 
Noting your digital chain, have you tried sample rate following or do you have your chain set to a single rate?

 
I Sample rate follow. I've tried setting everything to 192 khz via JRMC but find I prefer sticking to whatever native resolution file is.  

 

[johnjen]

Um, for the record the RN3 needs +5vdc, +15vdc, -15vdc and I assume that the +51vdc tap from the stock SMPS is unused.
Thus my need to find a LPS with 3 output voltages and why the external PS in that picture has 4 wires.
 
My order has been placed and my replacement PSU is "in production" as we speak.
I hopefully will see it mid december as a sort of xmas present.
 
And in the meanwhile I am figur'n on the parts I'm gunna need for 2 possible installation environments.
 
JJ

 

[wushuliu]

My Oppo 103 LPS uses 5v and +/- 15vdc. It's designed by diyaudio member Coris. It uses supercaps and accommodates the high current loads. I bet it wouldn't be hard to use one of his or have it customized. Between my Oppo mods and my modded soekris dac, I don't even think about the RN3 anymore. Still, it would be far more convenient to have a cheaper, smaller RedNet unit. There's a niche there that someone needs to fill.
 

 

[mourip]

   
I Sample rate follow. I've tried setting everything to 192 khz via JRMC but find I prefer sticking to whatever native resolution file is.  

 
Thanks for the reply.
 
How does that work using an external clock? Like you I am using an Antelope LiveClock which needs to be manually set to one frequency at a time. I have mine set to 192K. If I set Rednet Control to SRF will that not require that the LiveClock also be able to follow the current JRMC rate?

 

[johnjen]

  My Oppo 103 LPS uses 5v and +/- 15vdc. It's designed by diyaudio member Coris. It uses supercaps and accommodates the high current loads. I bet it wouldn't be hard to use one of his or have it customized. Between my Oppo mods and my modded soekris dac, I don't even think about the RN3 anymore. Still, it would be far more convenient to have a cheaper, smaller RedNet unit. There's a niche there that someone needs to fill.
 

It would seem like that would be a viable possibility but only as an external solution to powering the RN3 etc.
 
Ideally, I'm hoping that the PSU I've found will actually fit inside the existing RN3 case, so I can use the existing power input connection and on/off switch.
 
JJ

 

[vfrpoye]

 

[wushuliu]

It would seem like that would be a viable possibility but only as an external solution to powering the RN3 etc.

Ideally, I'm hoping that the PSU I've found will actually fit inside the existing RN3 case, so I can use the existing power input connection and on/off switch.

JJ

Huh. IIRC there's a lot of room in the rn3...

 

[jabbr]

Huh. IIRC there's a lot of room in the rn3...

Any measurements, like ripple noise, known about this LPSU?

 

[wushuliu]

Any measurements, like ripple noise, known about this LPSU?

Yes. In the link I provided to the diyaudio.com thread.

 

[gldgate]

   
Thanks for the reply.
 
How does that work using an external clock? Like you I am using an Antelope LiveClock which needs to be manually set to one frequency at a time. I have mine set to 192K. If I set Rednet Control to SRF will that not require that the LiveClock also be able to follow the current JRMC rate?

 
Changing sample rates while using external clock used to involve two manual operations. Changing sample rate in RedNet Control plus LiveClock SW. SRF solves the RedNet issue but I still need to manually change the SR for the LiveClock. If I don't change the sampe rate in the LiveClock SW with SRF the RedNet clock source changes from word clock input to internal RedNet clock.
 
So, not a completely auto process but better than it was before. I don't find it to be a big deal as majority of my listening tends to be longer classical pieces or whole "albums".

 

[mourip]

   
Changing sample rates while using external clock used to involve two manual operations. Changing sample rate in RedNet Control plus LiveClock SW. SRF solves the RedNet issue but I still need to manually change the SR for the LiveClock. If I don't change the sampe rate in the LiveClock SW with SRF the RedNet clock source changes from word clock input to internal RedNet clock.
 
So, not a completely auto process but better than it was before. I don't find it to be a big deal as majority of my listening tends to be longer classical pieces or whole "albums".

 
Thanks. Very helpful. Luckily I like 192K because I tend to skip between tracks on different albums  a lot!
 
So if I understand you correctly If I turn on SRF but set my LiveClock to 192K the worst thing that will happen is that my D16 will really only be using it's internal clock unless the input file is coming in at 192K?
 
I have my LiveClock timing both my D16 and my Mutec as well so I wonder what is happening to the Mutec with the external clock set to 192K but being sent a 44.1K sample? Will it also default to it's internal clock?

 

[gldgate]

   
Thanks. Very helpful. Luckily I like 192K because I tend to skip between tracks on different albums  a lot!
 
So if I understand you correctly If I turn on SRF but set my LiveClock to 192K the worst thing that will happen is that my D16 will really only be using it's internal clock unless the input file is coming in at 192K?
 
I have my LiveClock timing both my D16 and my Mutec as well so I wonder what is happening to the Mutec with the external clock set to 192K but being sent a 44.1K sample? Will it also default to it's internal clock?

 
Yes - In my system when I set SRF but the file rate is mismatched with the LiveClock I usually see a flashing orange light on the D16 word clock LED which indicates it has reverted to internal clock. When I manually set the Liveclock  to the same sample rate the flashing light turns a solid orange color indicating the external word clock is locked. 
 
Good question on the Mutec. Not 100% sure. I've never had a problem with the Mutec not reclocking whatever signal it receives. The LED's always change to the correct sample rate and the MODE and  STATUS indicators per the Mutec manual seem to indicate it is successfully receiving and using an external reference.