Sonore/SOtM Servers and DACs

[Andre Marc]

Hello Folks:

I am going to be reviewing a series of products imported in the US by Sonore, a company run
by Jesus Rodriguez, quite a brilliant fellow. He has consulted on big projects with Mytek (he
helped them with their Linux capability) and others.

He is the distributor of record for the Korean brand SOtM, which makes very highly regarded
servers and DACs. I have in house the $450 SOtM Mini Server, which via Ethernet, streams
all known PCM sample rates and DSD64/128. I also have the optional battery power supply ($400).
The Mini Server is highly configurable and compatible with multiple iOS and Android control apps.

http://www.sotm.sonore.us/SOtM1.html

Jesus has also co-designed a DSD DAC with eXD ($1295) that has been reviewed by Audiostream and others:
http://www.sales.sonore.us/exd.html

As well as the Rendu server:
http://www.rendu.sonore.us/rendu.html

He also wrote two superb pieces of software:

DSD2FLAC - Converts DSD to FLAC or FLAC/DoP

ISO2DSD - Converts DSD ISO to DFF or DSF

(Disclaimer, Sonore and SOtM are not advertisers for any publications I am affiliated with, and I have no financial interest
in SOtM or Sonore)

 

[Andre Marc]

Update. It was exactly 5 minutes from unpacking, plugging in with standard power supply, to steaming FLAC via Ethernet files to my Simaudio DAC via USB. Initial sound impressions are hugely positive. Charging external battery power supply overnight.

Very well designed product. DSD and high Rez PCM to follow soon.

 

[Sauerball]

Looking forward to hearing your opinion. Listening to DSD on my SOtM sdp-1000 at the moment . . . .

 

[Andre Marc]

Looking forward to hearing your opinion. Listening to DSD on my SOtM sdp-1000 at the moment . . . .

Sweet! How do you have it configured? As a preamp or line out? It is a beautiful component.

 

[Sauerball]

Sweet! How do you have it configured? As a preamp or line out? It is a beautiful component.

I use it as DAC and pre, utilizing the balanced outputs. I've had it for about a year. Pretty happy with it, but I don't get too attached to DACs!

 

[Andre Marc]

I use it as DAC and pre, utilizing the balanced outputs. I've had it for about a year. Pretty happy with it, but I don't get too attached to DACs!

Very nice. I agree, with the way things move, no reason to get attached. But, if you have a DAC that covers every resolution, with good solid design, it won't be upended any time soon.

I am very much thinking of trying the Sonore exD DAC. Not too big of a risk at $1300.

 

[asiufy]

Cool! I'm interested in the mini server... What did you use for remote control? Does it work with regular UPNP/DLNA apps?

Thanks!
Alexandre

 

[Andre Marc]

Cool! I'm interested in the mini server... What did you use for remote control? Does it work with regular UPNP/DLNA apps?

Thanks!
Alexandre

Sure does! I am using AudioNet right now...really nice interface for iPad and iPhone.

First impressions...wow....even with wal wart power...going to move on to battery supply once
I get a handle on it.

 

[catastrofe]

I have been a long-time customer of Sonore, and cannot say enough positive things about Jesus and his service. I just purchased the SOtM Mini Server with battery supply to replace my custom Sonore Vortexbox server. I wanted a streaming solution, as opposed to a hard drive based unit.

The Mini Server sounds fantastic, at least the equal of my server.

Jesus also sent along the sHP-100 DAC/Headphone Amp. I'm feeding the DAC with the battery supply, then out to my Atma Sphere MP-1 through a custom set of RCA-XLR cables. This DAC is very good, and at $700, quite a bargain. It does PCM up to 192K, and DSD 64/128. While I don't have any high-priced DACs to compare against (I've been using an inexpensive Valabs NOS DAC), I have to say this unit seems to do everything right.

 

[Andre Marc]

I have been a long-time customer of Sonore, and cannot say enough positive things about Jesus and his service. I just purchased the SOtM Mini Server with battery supply to replace my custom Sonore Vortexbox server. I wanted a streaming solution, as opposed to a hard drive based unit.

The Mini Server sounds fantastic, at least the equal of my server.

Jesus also sent along the sHP-100 DAC/Headphone Amp. I'm feeding the DAC with the battery supply, then out to my Atma Sphere MP-1 through a custom set of RCA-XLR cables. This DAC is very good, and at $700, quite a bargain. It does PCM up to 192K, and DSD 64/128. While I don't have any high-priced DACs to compare against (I've been using an inexpensive Valabs NOS DAC), I have to say this unit seems to do everything right.

I could not agree more about Jesus. He really cares about putting the best product out there.

Thanks for the input on the DAC. Do you know how they implement DSD?

 

[catastrofe]

I could not agree more about Jesus. He really cares about putting the best product out there.

Thanks for the input on the DAC. Do you know how they implement DSD?

I believe they're using DoP.

My server has the newest firmware which offers the ability to use any of 4 server methods. I'm currently using LMS 7.8.1 which is available for download on the Sonore website and allows DSD playback. Using iPeng as a control point on my iPad. Supports internet radio, Pandora, Spotify, etc. Haven't really spent any time with the other server options as the available control points aren't as robust.

 

[Andre Marc]

I believe they're using DoP.

My server has the newest firmware which offers the ability to use any of 4 server methods. I'm currently using LMS 7.8.1 which is available for download on the Sonore website and allows DSD playback. Using iPeng as a control point on my iPad. Supports internet radio, Pandora, Spotify, etc. Haven't really spent any time with the other server options as the available control points aren't as robust.

Got it. Very solid set up there.

Actually for the SOtM DAC, do they use multi bit DSD or a LPF.? If you happen to know.

 

[catastrofe]

Got it. Very solid set up there.

Actually for the SOtM DAC, do they use multi bit DSD or a LPF.? If you happen to know.

I don't know, but I'll see if Jesus will comment.

 

[Andre Marc]

I don't know, but I'll see if Jesus will comment.

Awesome. It would be great if he jumps on the thread. His Sonore and the SOtM products really put very expensive digital to the fire.