The SONORE microRendu

From the website:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Sonore microRendu is an audiophile micro computer with Ethernet input and USB Audio output. The microRendu utilizes a proprietary printed circuit board with only the essential components. The microRendu is small and light weight. Connect the microRendu directly to your USB device via a USB cable or hard adapter eliminating the need for a USB cable. Don't let the size fool you though because it's been designed to take into consideration all that is important to USB Audio. The microRendu is easy to configure and can accept audio streams from several digital sources.  

What makes the microRendu different from a typical computer music server is that it's a purpose built audiophile device. The problem with computer music servers is that they all rely on mass produced motherboards designed for general purpose computing and are built to the lowest possible price point. The microRendu solves this problem by removing the consumer grade computer peripherals and optimizing power supplies where necessary. The microRendu has been specifically built for processing USB audio perfectly. You can also combine the microRendu with an audiophile grade linear power supply to achieve the lowest possible noise floor.  


I think this is a pretty cool little computer that is dedicated to playback of sound media only (that's all it does ... i.e. no spreadsheets, surfing the internet, etc.).  It's a headless computer that can be accessed via a PC/Mac/tablet/iPad/iPhone/Android device.

What makes it unique is that it works over a network so all the computer hash/noise associated with PC playback is eliminated over Ethernet into the microRendu, then gets reclocked with a built in Regen (possibly made by Uptone?) and that signal goes into your USB DAC.  

It can be used with Roon, JRiver, etc. as your front end and access your Network Attached Storage or you don't have to have an NAS, you can send files from your PC as well.

A simple setup would be something like this:

NAS server with your media kept on the server) and with JRiver or Roon installed, an iPad that can access you NAS and then direct the playback to the microRendu.  Or even easier would be a PC with JRiver or Roon installed and your files kept on the PC/Mac and then direct playback to the microRendu.

Considering the device has a built in USB Regen, dedicated motherboard and parts picked out solely for music playback IMO it is reasonably priced at $650.  And to top it off it pretty much negates the need for any expensive PC builds (such as the C.A.P.S. setup found on Computer Audiophile) and/or purpose built servers such as the Aurender and even purpose built streamers such as the Auralic Aries.

For those who are interested in dipping their toes in computer audio it's a plug and play device that requires very little setup.

@ kana - Interesting, it reminds me of the Meridian Sooloos.  Few questions ...

Does it have its own OS or can it utilize Roon, JRiver, etc.?  

Can it tie into something like a HTPC and playback movies as well?

Can it playback via Ethernet or is it only Wi-Fi?