dCS Network Bridge

[stevebythebay]

Today Michael Lavorgna has posted a review of the dCS Network Bridge:

 

http://www.audiostream.com/content/dcs-network-bridge

 

Seems he favors it over the current microRendu in his system.

 

As Chris has had it in his system, I wonder if a review will be forthcoming.  Of course this area is a fast moving one, what with and ultraRendu in the wings and recent SOtM gear.

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, stevebythebay said:

Today Michael Lavorgna has posted a review of the dCS Network Bridge:

 

http://www.audiostream.com/content/dcs-network-bridge

 

Seems he favors it over the current microRendu in his system.

 

As Chris has had it in his system, I wonder if a review will be forthcoming.  Of course this area is a fast moving one, what with and ultraRendu in the wings and recent SOtM gear.

 

That's interesting because the two are completely different products that can't accomplish the same thing. One is USB output only and the other is AES and S/PDIF only. 

[stevebythebay]

Both take a network input.  The output methods are clearly different.  However, for those of us with the option of getting bits into their DAC either via USB (in my case through the Berkeley Alpha USB > Berkeley Ref. 2) or directly into the DAC via AES/EBU it would appear that each would serve the purpose of supporting my particular environment.  Each also offer Roon support and the dCS goes a bit farther with MQA, while the microRendu has another collection of very nice apps.

 

So, maybe you can clarify what it is you mean by "completely different".  I get you about the quite different output options.  And given no USB output on the dCS, I would fully understand why you'd be less than enthusiastic in reviewing the Network Bridge, since fewer DACs support such limitations.

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, stevebythebay said:

Both take a network input.  The output methods are clearly different.  However, for those of us with the option of getting bits into their DAC either via USB (in my case through the Berkeley Alpha USB > Berkeley Ref. 2) of directly into the DAC via AES/EBU it would appear that each would server the purpose of supporting my particular environment.  Each also offer Roon support and the dCS goes a bit farther with MQA, while the microRendu had another collection of very nice apps.

 

So, maybe you can clarify what is you mean by "completely different".  I get you about the quite different output options.  And given no USB output on the dCS, I would fully understand why you'd be less than enthusiastic in reviewing the Network Bridge, since fewer DACs support such limitations.

 

 

My comments were strictly limited to the fact that the outputs are very different, thus making a comparison very awkward. If one likes apples more than oranges that's cool, but saying apples are better than ranges is awkward. 

 

From the consumer's point of view both products are tools to accomplish something. NOthign wrong with ither approach. I have both and really like both. I'll be writing up the Bridge after Munich.

 

[stevebythebay]

Gotcha'.  I'm looking forward to your review.  I expect to bring one in house within the next few weeks.  I only get a few days (dealers are not keen on loans that last weeks).  

 

So, unless I hear something really dramatically better from the dCS, I'm more likely to await the ultraRendu.  John, Alex, and Jose are doing exceptional things -- and at a great price point for me and others.  Hard to make a big investment in such a rapidly changing space.

[Confused]

It's interesting that I run a Devialet that sounds best fed via AES/EBU and so I run a microRendu which in turn feeds a Mutec MC3+USB, which provides the preferred AES/EBU output plus reclocking goodness.  I wonder how this combination would compare to the dCS, and it is apples for apples as far the input and output methods are concerned.  The mR/Mutec combo has the additional advantage of being HQPlayer compatible, which offers further sound quality advantages in some systems.  I wonder how Roon + dCS would compare to mR + Mutec + HQPlayer?

[iefbo]

Maybe I'm over ambitious or just too optimistic, but I was hoping the Dcs would compete with the Aurender N10 or Lumin S1.

I realize these are different animals (on board DAC for S1 and storage for N10), but I just wonder about the ultimate sound quality.

 

With new devices coming out so regularly 3-4k some how feels reasonable. 8-10k not so much ...

[firedog]

It will be interesting when the ultraRendu comes out how it will be in comparison to the dCS. I bet it gets you close to the dCS sound for much less.

[iefbo]

 

5 minutes ago, firedog said:

It will be interesting when the ultraRendu comes out how it will be in comparison to the dCS. I bet it gets you close to the dCS sound for much less.

 

maybe ... but no SPDIF out as I understand ... 

[firedog]

48 minutes ago, iefbo said:

 

 

maybe ... but no SPDIF out as I understand ... 

yes, of course. each is a specialist item. 

[stevebythebay]

Although I've been a happy camper playing my system via a front end of MacMini -> microRendu / Sonore Signature LPS -> Berkeley Alpha USB -> Berkekely Ref. 2 DAC, my local dealer offered up his dCS Network Bridge for home testing.  The guys had been using it in lieu of their Berkeley set up and felt it was a real winner. 

 

So, for some time I've been giving it a go.  I can say that when I first put it in place and started listening, I knew something special was happening.  Going through familiar album after album, I was treated to an overwhelming feeling of elation, followed by a soon to be a leaner bank account.

 

The overall effect of the dCS Network Bridge is refinement.  The sound comes across as fast, precise and revealing, in a way that's more about layering and timing than anything else.  It's more relaxing and less congested than I'd been used to.  Instruments and voices seemed less "smeared" across the soundstage but just properly located in space; the sense is a bit holographic as the depth of the field is enhanced.  Massed voices are now more distinctly separated and located.  There's a clearer sense of spacial cues as well as things like a vocalist's sibilance (if that's the right term from speech) and this is at the microphone - distance and intonation and air around voices and instruments as well.  Another word that comes to mind is coherence.  That applies to the venue (live music with audience and quite apparent in opera as singers move about the stage both horizontally and forward/back).

 

Also, the better the source material the greater all these elements come through.  Listening to "The Jazz Soul of Oscar Peterson" 24/192 is a treat.  There's both delicacy and a flow to the music as well as a lowering of the noise floor.  Much emerges from a deeper blackness.  As a result dynamics seem greater.  Decay of sounds becomes more pronounced.  Listening to the first cut on Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" I'm struck by the natural, almost shimmering ringing of the cymbals of the drum kit.  And at the other end of the spectrum the bass is more layered and extended.  The extended solo of Ginger Baker on Blind Faith's "Do What You Like" really brings out all the characteristics I'd hope for in music reproduction.  But best of all is solo piano.  It's that lower register that seems hardest to replicate.  You get it with the dCS.  I'd say that anyone with a DAC that's capable of taking advantage of this device (assuming network based digital reproduction) should give it a go.  Don't think they'd be disappointed.  

[vortecjr]

I was pleased with the review considering the comparison and compared to the cost delta between the two solutions. However, what Michael fails to mention is that Vincent from Totaldac often prefers the AES-EBU input on his device depending on the source. He likes USB when it is connected to the Totaldac reclocker, than an AES-EBU link is used from the reclocker to the DAC. I have a customer doing this so I emailed Vincent out of curiosity. My point is that you have to be careful when you make these types of comparisons. What Steve has done is IMO is the right approach...he is trying it out in his system.

[stevebythebay]

Thank's.  These are systems after all.  Even the "weakest link in the chain" notion is problematic.  Every device/cable in the system can be both affected or affect other elements in the process of getting bits from network/disk to produce sound in the room.  

 

As an aside, my testing with the dCS Network Bridge has revealed that what's coming into the Roon enabled device (microRendu or the dCS Network Bridge) seems to be affected by any intermediary devices.  In my case the Berkeley Alpha USB D-D converter (USB in AES/EBU out).  It appears to be "choking off" data going into the DAC.  It's especially evident with lower frequencies.  Playing the Saint-Saens Sym. 3 Organ 192/24 from Ref. Recordings I do not get the room rumbling and audible very low organ frequencies from the microRendu/Berkeley Alpha USB combo.  Putting the dCS Network Bridge in it's place bring these elements out quite clearly.  In the absence of any other means for "placing blame", I'm inclined to think this is a limitation in the Berkeley rather than Sonore component.  The Berkeley is about 5 years old and likely using much less capable clocking and other elements than what is possible today.  But that's just my guess.

 

As for cost delta it really is not as great as you might imagine: the dCS is $4250.  Replacing the microRendu - Sonore Signature Power supply - Berkeley Alpha USB = $3934 and if you do, as I did, opt for the SR fuses you arrive at  of $4124.  So, it's nearly the same cost.  All other cabling (AC from Berkeley into dCS and Ethernet) remains the same.

[vortecjr]

44 minutes ago, stevebythebay said:

Thank's.  These are systems after all.  Even the "weakest link in the chain" notion is problematic.  Every device/cable in the system can be both affected or affect other elements in the process of getting bits from network/disk to produce sound in the room.  

 

As an aside, my testing with the dCS Network Bridge has revealed that what's coming into the Roon enabled device (microRendu or the dCS Network Bridge) seems to be affected by any intermediary devices.  In my case the Berkeley Alpha USB D-D converter (USB in AES/EBU out).  It appears to be "choking off" data going into the DAC.  It's especially evident with lower frequencies.  Playing the Saint-Saens Sym. 3 Organ 192/24 from Ref. Recordings I do not get the room rumbling and audible very low organ frequencies from the microRendu/Berkeley Alpha USB combo.  Putting the dCS Network Bridge in it's place bring these elements out quite clearly.  In the absence of any other means for "placing blame", I'm inclined to think this is a limitation in the Berkeley rather than Sonore component.  The Berkeley is about 5 years old and likely using much less capable clocking and other elements than what is possible today.  But that's just my guess.

 

As for cost delta it really is not as great as you might imagine: the dCS is $4250.  Replacing the microRendu - Sonore Signature Power supply - Berkeley Alpha USB = $3934 and if you do, as I did, opt for the SR fuses you arrive at  of $4124.  So, it's nearly the same cost.  All other cabling (AC from Berkeley into dCS and Ethernet) remains the same.

I'm aware of the cost of your components and I'm perfectly okay with the simplicity that the dCS brings to your setup. My reference to cost was in regards to Michael's setup in the review. He compared a microRendu with and Uptone Audio LPS-1 power supply, which is significantly less money compared, to the dCS.    

[stevebythebay]

Sorry.  Now I understand the comparison you're speaking of.  Guess that's why it's always hard to write reviews of this type.  They can never stand alone, unless everything gets laid out in gory detail.

[k-man]

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the Network Bridge. I have until recently dismissed the idea of this unit, since I have been married to USB for a long while. Great developments I've learned from CA have always kept me satisfied with it for so long, that other protocols such as AES/EBU I've never had the opportunity to test out. Had this product been released a few years earlier, I would have contacted a dCS dealer to get a loan for demonstration.

So why am I interested in the dCS Network bridge, despite costing a greater deal than my current microRendu/LPS-1 combo (soon to add an ISO Regen)? Because the part-time audiophile news release saying they will upgrade the Debussy DAC Q3 2017 (my DAC since 2011) to accept DXD and DSD256 over dual AES, which will pair nicely with the Network Bridge.

There's a bit to lose by switching, like HQPlayer functionality (still contemplating purchasing or trying the embedded version). But if the sound quality is much improved, judging by impression that you've mentioned, I'll be preparing those USB 'divorce' papers!  Happy dilemma! 

 

 

[iefbo]

I still hope someone will have the chance to compare the DCS to the Aurender N10.

I know it is different functionality and eventually a totally different animal.

But I would like to know if all other components are the same what is the best digital source of those 2.

[stevebythebay]

6 hours ago, iefbo said:

I still hope someone will have the chance to compare the DCS to the Aurender N10.

I know it is different functionality and eventually a totally different animal.

But I would like to know if all other components are the same what is the best digital source of those 2.

Having had an Aurender N10 in my system and then switching back to a combination of MacMini and microRendu I found that a better sonic alternative.  Best to get a dealer to loan an N10 to you for trial, as you may or may not find it to your liking.  I'd say the A10, based on what I understand, and Chris and other's reviews, is likely a solid and more universal solution to the emerging streaming world while retaining most of the benefits the N10 offers.  Though I cannot speak for how the A10 fares against the N10 sonically, especially for locally attached media.  For me, swapping my combo Digital to Digital converter and microRendu for the dCS Network Bridge is my next step up.

[claricia47]

 

On 05/11/2016 at 3:43 PM, russellbobby said:

The room was set up with The bridge > re-clocker>Debussy DAC> D'agostino Classic 2 channel stereo amp> Wilson sasha2 speakers.

All cabling was Transparent. They were doing the demo on power chords for Transparent racheter un prêt. I saw the bridge on the stack and asked them to play a few tracks from Tidal

I then mentioned that it probably sounds better than the MAC laptop that they were playing redbook files from that it was a resounding no. It certainly was not a Apples to Apples comparison.

Not sure on the firmware they were running as I am perfectly happy with my Aurender N100s and was not looking for a streamer.

 

The star of the show was the new D'agostino Progression mono blocks with the just released Wilson Yvette speakers. Run by the DCS Vivaldi Stack the sound was just perfect.

Ca, c'est quelque chose que j'aurai bien aimé avoir chez moi.Pas vous ?

[Emerald Core]

On 5/31/2017 at 9:56 PM, stevebythebay said:

Having had an Aurender N10 in my system and then switching back to a combination of MacMini and microRendu I found that a better sonic alternative.  Best to get a dealer to loan an N10 to you for trial, as you may or may not find it to your liking.  I'd say the A10, based on what I understand, and Chris and other's reviews, is likely a solid and more universal solution to the emerging streaming world while retaining most of the benefits the N10 offers.  Though I cannot speak for how the A10 fares against the N10 sonically, especially for locally attached media.  For me, swapping my combo Digital to Digital converter and microRendu for the dCS Network Bridge is my next step up.

 

Does this mean that you prefer the bridge over N10 ? or do their even remotely sound comparable ?

[stevebythebay]

7 hours ago, Emerald Core said:

 

Does this mean that you prefer the bridge over N10 ? or do their even remotely sound comparable ?

This simple answer is yes.  But the real answer is not quite that simple.  These music playback systems are a complex, end-to-end chain, with the room as a player in the overall effect.  For instance, I've 3 louvered window blinds behind my speakers, and can alter the sonic effect just moving them a bit, changing their diffusive effects. Same with a few choice tube traps right behind the sofa I sit on.  

 

The Aurender N10 does a number of things that I need multiple devices to do for me.  It's got built-in hard drives, whereas I use a NAS today.  It connects to my downstream D-D converter via USB (I found its AES/EBU output feeding the DAC not as good).  It has it's own specially configured operating system for managing music and playback.  It's a fine all-in-one, as far as it goes.

 

When I first replaced it with a MacMini and microRendu, this new solution, at least for me, was a step up in the attributes I happen to covet in sonic realism.  The microRendu still relies on a USB output, to feed the Berkeley D-D converter.  Moving to the dCS Network Bridge has finally "buried the hatchet" in USB, now banished from my system, by removing the microRendu and "aging" Berkeley D-D converter as the dCS is wired via AES/EBU right into the DAC.  

 

My reaction to the result is as I've noted in an earlier post.  I'm sure as I continue to discover new hardware that results in a better results I'll deploy them.  The Roon R.O.C.K. purpose-built hardware/software solution may be the next change after testing out a collection of Ethernet cables connecting the dCS to the network switch.  My hope is always to simplify, but moving from the N10 was a side excursion, that I hope will always, eventually lead back to simplifying my setup.

 

And so it goes...(the dCS arrives this week) ?

[Emerald Core]

Hi Gents,

 

Kindly bless us with first impressions. I am on the verge of either buying Aurender N10, Auralic G2+Clock+Upsampler (the most interesting choice) or the dCS Network Bridge.

[Albrecht]

7 minutes ago, Emerald Core said:

Hi Gents,

 

Kindly bless us with first impressions. I am on the verge of either buying Aurender N10, Auralic G2+Clock+Upsampler (the most interesting choice) or the dCS Network Bridge.

The posts above made me really think about the costs I've made replacing my broken MacMini more than a year ago, and some recent cable upgrades & other expenses that brink up my totals surprisingly close to the DCS. Some of that includes a NAS and probably shouldn't, as well as the fact that purchases were made slowly over a year. But it is pretty interesting.... I know others would have a differing opinion, - but a $400 level power supply is something that I regard as essential to the mRendu.

Cheers,

 

[stevebythebay]

I waited a long time moving from a USB attached drive for my MacMini to a 2-slot QNAP NAS that hides behind one of my speakers and is wired into my switch (8-port Cisco smart one).  All colocated with the rest of the hardware in my listening room.  That switchover, in and of itself, made a noticeable sonic improvement.  I agree that power supplies, especially for these sensitive devices (microRendu) can make a significant difference as well.  Even the Ethernet cable from the switch to the microRendu or other network endpoints (dCS) can make a difference. Everything in the chain has an impact to one degree or another.

 

As for a decision on using an N10 or G2 or dCS represent significant variations in cost and resulting sonics.  If you can, bring those options in-house for testing in your system.

[tdimler]

I'm also looking at the dCS bridge vs the new Auralic G2.  One thing I'm having trouble getting information on is the dCS streaming app.  Can anyone provide their impression of it's ease and user interface?

 

Thanks