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

[rb2013]

Later this summer we will be introducing a companion unit to turn the Superstream into a Superstream Pro. This unit will run the incredible Ravenna Audio over IP protocol to convert the audio to the cleanest signal possible. It will be another box exactly like the Superstream that the Superstream will sit on top of. It will link to the Superstream with ST fiber.

 

For outputs it will have nothing but the finest. 3 different I2S modes ( LVDS/HDMI (PS Audio pinout), CMOS over RJ-45, and Superlink). It will also have an AES/EBU digital output for legacy DAC support of the highest quality. The AES/EBU output will be on a modular board that can be substituted with ST fiber/word clock out for DAC's such as EMM labs and Playback designs.

 

What is Superlink? It's a special connection that connects to Ravenna retrofit boards. These Retrofit boards can be installed in any DAC with a removable USB interface to bring the pure Ravenna I2S into the unit in the best way possible. Max resolution support from the I2S and Superlink outputs will be PCM 24/384 and DSD 512. For example the Amanero USB boards found in all of the Lampizator DAC's would be perfect for the upgrade.10 minute job max to install the board in place of the Amanero.

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The Ravenna Pro I/O box will also have a choice of ultra low jitter clocks from the highly praised Crystek 957, to the incomparable NDK DuCULoN clock:

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More info on the amazing DuCULoN clock can be found HERE

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When the Superlink option is used, the master clock will be located on the retrofit board so the DAC chip can be slaved to it for the lowest jitter possible. Imagine the famous Lampizator Golden Gate using the Crystek 957, or even the NDK DuCULoN as the master clock rather than the clock built on the Amanero USB interface! Wow!

 

The Superstream Pro will run an AES67 VSC, so it will be able to talk to all AES67 compliant devices from Dante and Ravenna. This includes for example DAC's such as the Merging NADAC, active speakers from Genelec, and AES67 enabled amps.

 

Here's a list of all of the possible ways the Superstream Pro will be able to interface to DAC's, active speakers and AES67 enabled amps:

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1: USB
2: I2S over CMOS (RJ-45)
3: I2S over HDMI
4: AES/EBU
5: COAXIAL SPDIF (With AES/EBU to SPDIF adapter)
6: ST fiber/Word clock (Optional in place of AES/EBU)
7: Superlink boards
8: Roon RAAT via Ethernet (Any Roonready device)
9: Dante via Ethernet
10: Ravenna via Ethernet

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http://www.miveraaudio.com

 

[mourip]

 
And you should see what we've done to a BURL B2 Bomber + BURL Dante BK2 card!  Oh man this is crazy and good!
 
Excited to see what Mike is coming up with.

 
Yes! Yes! Details and pictures!
 
 

 

 

[gldgate]

I'm generally not one to be impulsive but the performance "boost" of the Antelope Liveclock on the Mutec and RedNet had me thinking about 10M clocks. I thought about the Antelope, Stanford Research and upcoming Mutec but I have some personal reservations (I'm cheap!) about spending more for a clock than on my DAC (Yggy). I've also shot through my 2016 audio budget like a warm knife through butter.  Therefore, I've put in place plan B:
 
http://www.cybershaft.jp/a-products/premium.html
 
Cybershaft has several 10M clocks available (OCXO and Rubidium). In communications with owner it was recommended that based on my tastes (more classical and Jazz then rock/pop) to go with the OCXO Premium. Plan is to feed the 10M into the Liveclock which is hooked up to both Mutec and RedNet.  Unit is being fitted for US Power and should be shipping via EMS in a few days. Will post impressions... 

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

  I'm generally not one to be impulsive but the performance "boost" of the Antelope Liveclock on the Mutec and RedNet had me thinking about 10M clocks. I thought about the Antelope, Stanford Research and upcoming Mutec but I have some personal reservations (I'm cheap!) about spending more for a clock than on my DAC (Yggy). I've also shot through my 2016 audio budget like a warm knife through butter.  Therefore, I've put in place plan B:
 
http://www.cybershaft.jp/a-products/premium.html
 
Cybershaft has several 10M clocks available (OCXO and Rubidium). In communications with owner it was recommended that based on my tastes (more classical and Jazz then rock/pop) to go with the OCXO Premium. Plan is to feed the 10M into the Liveclock which is hooked up to both Mutec and RedNet.  Unit is being fitted for US Power and should be shipping via EMS in a few days. Will post impressions... 

$840, not bad. How much after shipping? This is a Japanese made unit?

 

[joelha]

And you should see what we've done to a BURL B2 Bomber + BURL Dante BK2 card!  Oh man this is crazy and good!

rb2013,

I'm curious as to which dacs you've compared the Burl B2 Bomber.

Thanks for your constant updates and suggestions.

Joel

 

[gldgate]

 
$840, not bad. How much after shipping? This is a Japanese made unit?

​With power conversion, shipping and (optional) BNC cable price came to almost exactly $1000 via papyal. Yes, unit is built and tested in Japan using primarily oscillators from Rakon (New Zealand). SQ and build quality (via 3rd party reports) has been positive but sample size is small. Product comes with one year warranty and they also provide calibration/inspection services.

 

[ccschua]

So is rednet releasing a down to earth price dante modules?

 

[jabbr]

So is rednet releasing a down to earth price dante modules?

No, Dante OEM-boards have always been available.
RedNets are devices made by Focusrite which incorporate a Dante OEM-boards.
 
This BURL Bomber DAC can also be fitted with a Dante OEM-Board which Burl Audio offers for all its products.
Don't know how BURL Dacs sound though.

 

[mourip]

So is rednet releasing a down to earth price dante modules?

 

  No, Dante OEM-boards have always been available.
RedNets are devices made by Focusrite which incorporate a Dante OEM-boards.
 
This BURL Bomber DAC can also be fitted with a Dante OEM-Board which Burl Audio offers for all its products.
Don't know how BURL Dacs sound though.

 
Hi ccschua.
 
If you mean a two channel audiophile DDC, that is the one we are all waiting for but have heard no indication that it is even being considered...by anyone.
 
RB2013 is working with the Burl as we speak...
 
The good news is that for under $1000usd you can get a RN3 right now. You can sell off your USB bits to help offset the cost. This will put you ahead of USB to start. The "bad news" is that adding a Mutec MC3+ and an external clock like the Antelope produces truly remarkable sound but is a pretty hefty investment.

 

[patrikh]

Upon brief investigation it seems rednet 3 goes for 1400 eur in Europe. Wonder if anyone sells one for a reasonable price ;_;

 

[Cornan]

RedNet 3 goes for EUR 1424.- here https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_rednet_3.htm?ref=search_rslt_focusrite_263992_30
However, I have started to investigate if the Focusrite RedNet AM2 for EUR449.- could possibly suit my personal needs https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_rednet_am2.htm?ref=search_rslt_focusrite_382207_22 Initially it looks very promising! Have anyone tried it on this thread?

 

[rb2013]

rb2013,

I'm curious as to which dacs you've compared the Burl B2 Bomber.

Thanks for your constant updates and suggestions.

Joel

Well I'm a big tube DAC guy.  I've had to many to list - both solid state and tube output.
 
Right now my #1 DAC is a heavily modded R2R DAC60.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/740362/lite-dac60-pcm1704-r2r-tubed-dac-mod-project
 
#2 is a APL NWOjr.
 
The BURL is excellent with tube like Class A output devices.
http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/79/b2-bomber-adc-dac/
 
We've been able to improve it substantially with some major power supply mods and a few other tweeks.  It does have a wclock in (which is one thing about Pro-audio DACs that I really like - this is a std feature on the better models).
 
We're also looking at how BURL designed the Brooklyn II Dante card interface.  They sell the BK2 card for $250.  It would be great to have just a interface device that it would plug into, powered by ext DC.

 

[rb2013]

 
​With power conversion, shipping and (optional) BNC cable price came to almost exactly $1000 via papyal. Yes, unit is built and tested in Japan using primarily oscillators from Rakon (New Zealand). SQ and build quality (via 3rd party reports) has been positive but sample size is small. Product comes with one year warranty and they also provide calibration/inspection services.

A new super clock from NDK -
 
http://www.ndk.com/en/ad/2013/001/pdf/c_NH47M47LA_e.pdf
 
NDK Ultra-Low-Phase-Noise OCXO DuCULoN®
 
Look at those phase noise numbers!
 

 

[rb2013]

  RedNet 3 goes for EUR 1424.- here https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_rednet_3.htm?ref=search_rslt_focusrite_263992_30
However, I have started to investigate if the Focusrite RedNet AM2 for EUR449.- could possibly suit my personal needs https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_rednet_am2.htm?ref=search_rslt_focusrite_382207_22 Initially it looks very promising! Have anyone tried it on this thread?

This was discussed extensively some time back.
 
Not likely to yield near the SQ of the RN3 or RN16D.  It has no digital output (so can not feed a DAC) and uses a different Audinate product.
 
The AM uses a Dante Ultimo chip - not the descrete Brooklyn I or II board like the 3 & D16, respectively.
 
The Ultimo is limited to 96k

 

https://www.audinate.com/products/manufacturer-products/dante-ultimo

 

[ccschua]

I wonder if this is the brooklyn II card . https://www.audinate.com/products/manufacturer-products/dante-brooklyn-ii
 
even with this, the DSC is not bundled and need to be provided ?