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

[thisisvv]

Yes and remember AES67 can operate over WAN with no compromise to the sound as well. If setup properly, the server for someone's Rednet 3 could be located in China. How much traffic is on the World Wide Web? This is why the key is throughput. If we have enough of this, we are good to go.

One ans try this and see the difference. Audio so many things works which are not logical. I gave my experience don't expect everyone to  accept it or not. 

 

[Kelowna]

One ans try this and see the difference. Audio so many things works which are not logical. I gave my experience don't expect everyone to  accept it or not. 

That's actually what I'm doing now. I'm bringing in my NAS and Internet into my Edgerouter X via the onboard SFP port, and sending the Ethernet out via FMC to my streamer. I've tried a million different things including 7 different server computers with Ravenna, Roon RAAT, and Signalyst NAA and for the life of me I can't get different sound with the endpoint connected via fiber.

 

[gldgate]

I should point out that my optical isolation comment regarding NAS was in a dual PC config - not with RedNet. If RedNet can be optimized with isolation just between PC and D12 (or without optical isolation at all) I will be a happy camper. IMO,the less devices needed the better.

 

[Kelowna]

What sort of sound quality gain is possible with the fiber isolation in your experience? Since it doesn't change the signal, I'm presuming it's remedying something that exists in certain networks - noise? Also could not using an LPS on the receiver side make things sound worse than without the added gear? This requires an LPS to properly hear the gains?

The gains are similar to the gains experienced by powering anything in the audio chain with clean power vs dirty. But yes you're right, powering the FMC on the streamer end with dirty power does make it worse. I'll be getting an aPX-555 measurement device in the next bit to confirm all of these subjective evaluations. Things like this can be measured. Nobody voices with dirty power to purposely achieve euphoric distortions. I think It's universally accepted by all camps that cleaner power is superior.

 

[mudge]

My gosh...
 
This is an incredibly interesting thread...

 

[rb2013]

When you optically isolate the Rednet from the rest of the network, you are isolating it from everything including NAS's. There's no need to add any additional isolation elsewhere in the network as long as the endpoint is isolated.

AOIP, sea change in computer audio.

 

[rb2013]

yes agreed but the Mutec 3 can really help in this situation. Also we can do some TB3 to spdif converter . Just thinking out loud.

V

Oh it's coming. And can be another path in this evolution. More exciting would TB3 input directly on the DAC.

 

[rb2013]

Hi,

FWIW, - I'm using them now. A significant difference in SQ, and much cheaper than more expensive CAT7/6-connectors cables.

Cheers,

Thanks for the feedback. This is going to be interesting. If this works the PC going into the closet. These super thin optic cables are very easy to hide. Cat6 a little harder, beside no EMI/RF worries on long runs.

 

[mhamel]

Thanks for the feedback. This is going to be interesting. If this works the PC going into the closet. These super thin optic cables are very easy to hide. Cat6 a little harder, beside no EMI/RF worries on long runs.

 
 
There are no EMI/RF issues with long runs of Cat6, it is inherently designed to reject interference.  

 

[Kelowna]

There are no EMI/RF issues with long runs of Cat6, it is inherently designed to reject interference.  

In theory. But we all know it was never specifically designed for audio. In theory, the fiber converters shouldn't help either. I don't really think there's any reason to even desire copper anymore these days. Fiber is pretty much the same price anyways. Sure a bit more for the switches, but still the TPlink switch with dual SFP ports is still only $100. You need a switch anyways, and even copper only of the same league will be within $30-40. So are we really breaking the bank with fiber? For me personally, even if it only even sounded equal, would use it for the coolness factor alone

 

[joelha]

A few questions.

Has anyone connected their D16 directly to their server?

If so, any tips on how to do this or is it pretty much plug and play?

If a second cable with internet service goes to the secondary port, will I still be able to remotely control my server after it's direct connected to the D16?

Finally, on rednet controller, I'm not getting 176.4 as a sample rate option. I thought that wasn't an issue with the D16. What am I missing?

Thanks in advance any help offered.

Joel

 

[markus94103]

@Soundsgoodtome and @Muziqboy, thank you for bringing your Rednets to the Bellingham meetup. Kudos to you guys for spreading the word among the audiophile community about this remarkable discovery from the world of pro audio equipment.
 
Some background: I know a lot of people love the Bifrost Uber/Asgard 2 combo, but for me it's been pretty disappointing. For some reason it sounds harsh and fatiguing to my ears, especially after a few hours of listening.
 
Now I've switched to an NFB-10 and have plans to sell the Schiit stack, but here's the kicker: I plugged the Uber/Asgard 2 into the Rednet 3 and nearly leapt out of my chair with amazement. The sound was completely transformed. Suddenly the wobbly harshness I'd been hearing was completely scrubbed out, and in its place I heard an effortless authority in the signal. Instead of making me feel a bit on edge, the sound was beautiful and engaging.
 
I would have loved to hear my NFB-10 through the Rednet, but unfortunately we discovered a problem with my coaxial input (which I've never tried using before).
 
These are just my impressions based on a few minutes of listening, but I was pretty surprised to discover that a better transport from the computer to the DAC could make such a big difference. Previously I had always assumed that a decent DAC could effortlessly handle whatever USB signal you fed it. Now I feel motivated to devote more attention to this part of my signal chain and confirm what I experienced on Saturday.
 
I noticed someone's comment about the Rednet AM2, which seems like an intriguing option for those of us with limited space and/or a tight budget. Has anyone been able to find a review?

 

[gldgate]

For setting 176Khz use the Dante Controller SW and not the RedNet Control SW. For some reason (at least in my set-up), the RedNet Control SW is missing 176Khz. However, I just went to JRMC and was able to upsample to 176Khz without any problems.
 
 

 

[johnjen]

So I'm at 60hrs on my RN3 and the SQ has taken a significant step up.
It's still changing and I have very little idea of how much time it will take to reach its full peak and remain there.
 
The difference between my 2-Wyrd setup and the RN3 is increasing, but at this time it isn't a knock you over the head huge difference but the gap is widening.
 
And I ordered enough stuff to make 2) 2 channel AES breakout cables.
 
And that ether-optical-ether GI setup is in my sights as well.
I do have a question about it…
We should use 2 of the MC210CS units and not use a MC110CS with a 210CS (as suggested by Amazon…), right?
 
Interesting Times In Audio Indeed!
 
JJ

 

[mourip]

 
I noticed someone's comment about the Rednet AM2, which seems like an intriguing option for those of us with limited space and/or a tight budget. Has anyone been able to find a review?

 
Someone on CA who mostly does Pro Audio bought one. He liked the convenience but found the SQ short of audiophile.