Connectivity guide SOtM and Sonore network bridges

For those like me that go for the best sound quality and don’t want a computer near the stereo, there are so-called network bridges. Very good network bridges come from Sonore and SOtM. In this video a broad view on how to use their products.
Manufacturers:
Sonore: www.sonore.us
SOtM: www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/eng...
Links mentioned in the video:
Logitech Media Server: www.mysqueezebox.com/
Minimserver: minimserver.com
UPnP AV servers: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Glider: glideraudio.com
HDplayer: www.signalyst.com
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[@kingdome1874]

I'm allready looking forward to all the new video's in 2019, may this be a great year for audio.

[@FungedeBagre]

Thank you!

[@shanew2592]

Hi Hans, thanks so much for all your videos. Most informative. I was wondering what you think about using a Nuc i7 running audiolinux in RAM mode as a cheaper alternative to these other network bridges. Is this something you have tested? It seems to be well received on Computer Audiophile.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I use a NUC i7 to run Roon but I would not have the DAC connected directly to it. I have no experiences wih audiolinux, but the jitter and HF noise of the computer will not disappear by using another OS. Especially when running a powerfull CPU like the i7.

[@MrOutlawDave]

Would love to see you do a review on the new innuos mini mk3

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Me too, but despite I was promised a review sample several times, it never arrived. Sorry.

[@marklabee2545]

Hi Hans, thanks for another great video! Since you are enthusiastic about the SOTM bridges..... are you planning to do a review on the Metrum Acoustics Ambre player? It might be a contender to the SOTM products, and - as you probably know - Metrum is based in The Netherlands.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I just asked the manufacturer for a review sample but he didn't respond yet.

[@marklabee2545]

Hi Hans, in case you do not hear back, I can lend you mine. I live in NL.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Appreciate the gesture but that would not be a good idea. I take it apart and when things go wrong, we both have a problem.

[@marisasm]

Hi, Hans. Very interesting review. I never paid much attention to this kind of components to "clean/filter" noise because I considered them to be only suitable for high end systems (»10k at least) but since you mentioned that the SOtM 200 makes sense in a 2k system it caught my eye. So I have a question: You talk about network bridges in the context of the source being a PC or NAS but for those of us who only use services like Tidal as a music source (and maybe a SSD over usb with some DSD files) does it makes sense to buy a network bridge? (to clear the signal which comes from the internet provider cable maybe)? tks in advance

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, perhaps a more fitting solution for you might be a streamer like the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXS7XqOQh82Vqqs). Consider it to be a network bridge with built-in streamer that can do Tidal and music from a USB storage device. Then you don't need the noisy computer at all.

[@marisasm]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you Hans. I appreciate the advice.

[@zacharybraverman4870]

Excellent video! Thank you very much. I have one question if you wouldn't mind. Would it be possible to connect a SOtM sMS-200 to the network via Ethernet connection directly to a Mac? The router is in another room far away. I would then play files either on the Mac itself, or use a USB storage device connected to the SOtM sMS-200.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I haven't tried but perhaps if can find a dhcp server to run on the Mac, you might. A simpler solution is to use a Wifi mesh network to connect the Mac to your router. Depending on your music cataloguing software you might also need the internet connection.

[@zacharybraverman4870]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for your reply. I will do more research on those...

[@georgeperedy3709]

Hans, great thoughtfulness and resulting videos. Are there any specific reasons you continue to reveiew SOtM products and not newer Rendu products like ultraRendu and OpticalRendu? Perhaps Rendu has better addressed time-smearing in the past two years. I agree with Frode that optical connectivity (such as OpticalRendu or "fiber connection kits") since they could reduce EM interference even more near the audio setup, would be worth educating your followers about.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The problem is that after reviewing the original microRendu I reviewed the cheaper sMS-200 and liked it slightly more. That made Sonore so unhappy that they don't want further contact with me, unfortunately.

[@stephenscharf6293]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel What Sonore would have done, if they were truly a "mature" company, Hans, was to look at your review of the SOtM sMS-200 vs the microRendu as a true "Kaizen opportunity". Competition is good, there are no perfect products and mature companies look at competitive offerings as a direction that should direct own continuous improvement product innovation activities.

[@supermrevo]

Thank you for this guide! Sonically, these dedicated network bridges sounds a lot better than a Mac Mini?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yep

[@DistinctiveMusic]

Hi, Hans. Kudos for the great videos! Is the OpticalRendu on your radar for an upcoming review?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't think I can get a review sample on loan. Sorry.

[@hoorayforyoutoob]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Any chance this has changed in the last 4 months? Would love to see a trusted review of it.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@hoorayforyoutoob negative

[@stevennarbut2586]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Bummer, but thanks for responding. Definitely one of my favorite youtubers. Keep up the great work.

[@radovancechvala3158]

Dear Hans, great video as always. I am thinking of buying a new dac for my office setup, to replace the AURALiC Aries Mini, and looking at the Cocktail Audio HA500. Since I use Roon, I wonder whether the option is to use the Mini as the Roon endpoint or to buy a Network Bridge. My Mini has the optional linear PSU. What would be your opinion on the Mini setup as the Roon Endpoint, and connected to the external DAC (HA500) vs the use of sMS 200 with a linear PSU connected to the same DAC with respect to the sound quality impact. Thanks a lot for your opinion. Radovan

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I would go for the sms-200

[@radovancechvala3158]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks a lot for the swift response..

[@toytimeofficial8933]

Hans- Thank you for these informative videos. I have been watching for years. I currently have a laptop connected to a DAC. I run Roon with Qobuz and have a hard drive connected to the computer containing over 1000 CDs of lossless iTunes and a handful of HD Tracks downloads. My goal is to achieve equal or better quality playback with use of my Roon iPhone App. I was considering a SOtM sMS-200 as a Roon endpoint so I can take the laptop off the shelf. As for the hard drive, if I connected it directly to the USB input on the SOtM would Roon recognize it or should the hard drive be elsewhere on the network? I also am currently using a Audioquest Jitterbug run from the computer to my DAC. Would that be useful between the SOtM and the DAC or elsewhere?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If you use Roon you better connect the HD to the computer. Don’t use the Jitterbug with the sMS200.

[@toytimeofficial8933]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you, I suppose then I will have to have Roon opened on the computer in another location to access my iTunes library?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Correct

[@dsqaudio]

I keep looking at your review of the SOTM SMS200 Ultra Neo and I have decided to get one. I prefer to keep things simple and I want to go the DLNA method using Bubble UPNP. Bubble UPNP for android has Tidal integrated and Tidal is where all of my music resides. Would there be a difference in sound quality if I use Bubble UPNP from my Android device compared to Bubble UPNP running on a computer ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have never worked with Bubble UPnP and I have an iPhone and no Android, so I can't say for sure. But if all is well it shouldn't.

[@patrick1150gs]

So, is the Allo DigiOne Signature a NAS and a network bridge. Or does it only have partial NAS and network bridge functionality?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

A computer can be anything within hardware limits. That depends on the software you run. But if you want to use it as a bridge, I would not use it as a NAS. You want a network bridge to do as little as possible.

[@Maninthesky19]

I use the CXA81 amplifier with rpi4 connected to fritz box 7490 router/modem using volumio. Do you think it will be better upgrade the system with sms-200 ultra neo than sms 200. I am considering connect a ssd 1tb as a NAS to modem router

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't have hands on experience with your gear so I can't say for sure. But the difference between the normal sMS-200 and the Ultra Neo is rather big.

[@jonathanmatthew5631]

Is the SOtM-200 Ultra Neo still the best option right now for network bridges on a price/performance basis? I plan to pair it with the Denafrips Pontus

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It is, for the money. As. you might have notices I have replaced it for the Auralic Aries G2. But that comes at 2.5 times the price.

[@jonathanmatthew5631]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks. I sure wish i had the budget for the Auralic G2 but even if i did, i might just spend it on the Denafrips Terminator DAC which i believe is a much better investment than a streamer/bridge/server. Anyway, I am also looking at the Sonore OpticalRendu which seems to be a better fit for me. Will it be a good match for a Denafrips Pontus/Venus II ?

[@allucinox]

Really fantastic! But my Yamaha A-S801 supports only Win or MacOS via USB for DSD or higher quality

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The network bridges mentioned all do USB 2, Audio Class 2 and that is the same standard your Yamaha uses. So they will work. I used a SOtM to send music to a Yamaha R N602 receiver. You can even use the Yamaha software to send music to the network bridge if it still supports DLNA (which I think it does).

[@allucinox]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Hi Hans and thank you. On the page of Yamaha it's written that (sorry german): USB DAC Funktion unterstützt 2.8MHz/5.6MHz DSD Auflösung und PCM384kHz/32* bit Wiedergabe Der leistungsstarke USB-DAC des A-S801 ist eine ausgewachsene PCM 384kHz/32-bit Einheit und unterstützt nativ die DSD 2,8MHz/5,6MHz Auflösung. Er ist darüber hinaus kompatibel mit asynchronen Signalen und nutzt für Low-Jitter-Übertragung seine eigene Master Clock, die nicht von der PC Clock beeinflusst wird. Zudem kommt ein ASIO2.3-Treiber (Yamaha Steinberg) zum Einsatz, um niedrigere Latenzen und höhere Übertragungsraten zu erreichen. Neben Windows-PCs wird ebenfalls der MAC OS Integer Mode unterstützt, wodurch auch mit MAC 24-bit-Wiedergabe möglich ist. * Unterstützt Windows. Mac für 24-bit. Thats why I've attached a RasperryPie with Allo DigiOne via Coax using Ropieee.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I know. They explain that when you use a windows computer, you need to install the ASIO driver and that when you use a MAC, you don't. They don't mention network bridges and I know they work. Trust me.

[@allucinox]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I trust . Let me spend some money at Sotm 😊 Thank you so much Hans!

[@terrysadler6115]

Hans, you mentioned using the sms 200 with the ifi ipower. Was this the 12v ipower?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't remember, it was 2 years ago. I probably used an sBooster that supplied the same voltage as the wall wart that came with the sMS-200.

[@iansharp1171]

I power my sms-200 with 9V using the SOtM sps-500 psu. I've looked at other psu's for the sms-200 and they are also 9V. I have heard of some people using 12V. There is a 9V version of the ifi psu.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@iansharp1171 You can order a 9 or 12 volt version of the sMS-200ultra(NEO) but not of the sMS-200 base model.

[@iansharp1171]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Ah, I did not know that. I just checked my sms-200 ultra NEO wall wart supply that I replaced. It is 9.25V.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Then use the sps-500 at 9 volts. Otherwise the internal voltage regulators of the sMS-200 have to dissipate a lot, leading to a very hot sMS-200.

[@cemsomaklar4165]

Hello, how do i connect stom 200 neo device with spotify app via computer. Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't know, I don't use Spotify. For Tidal and Qobuz you can set the SOtM to DLNA and choose it as output in the apps.

[@robcaputo9708]

I think other KZbinrs have the bridge connected to the computer by USB and the computer to the network by WiFi. Can this work? Is it suboptimal for sound quality?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No that won't work. The USB port is configured as output, not as input (it would have had a USB B connector then).

[@gokder4242]

Hello can I use external usb hdd directly on sotm without pc ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes, you can. But not with every mode. You have to set up either DLNA (with server) or Squeezebox emulation and LMS.

[@robinnichols5304]

I understand the diagram but why cant you connect a harddrive directly into the network bridge so that i doent have to use a computer

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Wha can't a limousine have a flat bed? Because it's called a pick-up truck then. Some network bridges offer the possibility to work as a streamer and even a streamer/server. Like the SOtM and Sonore products. But technically they function as a streamer and not as a network bridge.

[@robinnichols5304]

Ill ignore the first part of your sarcastic reply especially when you reviewed the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge and failed to explain the storage usb socket at the back which goes against your diagram and indeed your opening remarks . This is why I asked the question in the first place.

[@robcaputo9708]

Can my Allo shanty power the sMS-200 NEO?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, the Shanty delivers 5 VDC, the sMS-200 NEO needs 9 VDC

[@robcaputo9708]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you sir

[@audiostuff2947]

Hi there Mr. Beekhuyzen and followers of this interesting chanel. I have a question related to DAC over USB/LAN connection and thought it could be okay to post it here. I´m looking for an replacement for my USB Device Server ( Silex, Japan). This USB/LAN device server over TPC/ID also known as printer server, for around 50 € gave me the opportunety to use my old Musical Fidelity V-DAC connected to it over my LAN router to my PC situated in an other room. Again: V-DAC over USB into Device Server, from there over LAN to router, than over LAN to PC. That was an nice sounding & cheap plug and play solution worked together. But newer DAC´s such as Audio GD R1 DAC I have here for the moment can´t be detected by the device server anymore because asynchronus protocol is requested I guess.. Therefor I´m looking out for an non overpriced alternative. Any recommandation would be very apprichiated.......Thx! PS: the Silex USB driver device was used in it´s way so far , that there is only necessety to instal driver and than to open its XS virtaul link program ( smal pop up window) which shows the detected DAC .

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The V-DAC uses an old interfacing protocol called USB Audio Class 1. Newer DAC's use USB Audio Class 2 and for that a newer driver is needed. Operating systems like Windows, Mac OS and Linux now have these but I think that since the device you use doesn't work, it lacks a Class 2 driver.

[@audiostuff2947]

Dear HB , appriciate your answer. So than it must be rather: a) a lack of USB class 2 of the Device Server besids that USB class 1 is limited to 24bit/96kHz, or b) because the Server Device works only in isochronus Mode? I just come to this conclusion because the (newer) Audio GD R1 DAC runs well if directly connected to my ( ThinkPad Laptop T 540p) PC over USB. Also with/over the recommendet ASIO driver for the Amanero USB input board of the R1 DAC, which from my understanding means that the PC itself can not lack of USB class 2. So outgoing from your assessment: rather trying newer USB Server Device or maybe going with Allo Sparky USB Bridge? Regards, Felix

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@audiostuff2947 watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGOZdIB9jcSsqM0