Would you invest in the microrendu or in a USB isolator/regenerator first?

[simoneratti]

Hello, can anyone help guiding the decision? I cannot afford both the microrendu and the USB isolator/regenerator. Which one should come first as an investment? Where would you put your money first to improve the quality of the audio system?

[firedog]

mR. Get a used one, save enough to buy a regenerator

[Johnseye]

27 minutes ago, simoneratti said:

Hello, can anyone help guiding the decision? I cannot afford both the microrendu and the USB isolator/regenerator. Which one should come first as an investment? Where would you put your money first to improve the quality of the audio system?

 

That depends if you need an endpoint or are ok with having your PC near your DAC.  I would also recommend looking at the sMS-200 over the mR and also recommend the Ultra version of either endpoint if you go that direction. 

[simoneratti]

The endpoint has its advantages, but I could sit the server close to the dac initially. It is a fanless NUC running roon rock. The fact is that the microrendu, beyond being an endpoint, also breaks the ground loop, so it partly covers the isolator role. Of course their combined use is the best option but it becomes expensive. I started with the idea of buying the isolator but then I discovered a lot of threads raving for the microrendu and I read about its inherent capability of delivering a clean USB signal to the dac, not affected by the noise produced by the server. So I started wondering that the mr could be the best next step.

[Johnseye]

15 minutes ago, simoneratti said:

The endpoint has its advantages, but I could sit the server close to the dac initially. It is a fanless NUC running roon rock. The fact is that the microrendu, beyond being an endpoint, also breaks the ground loop, so it partly covers the isolator role. Of course their combined use is the best option but it becomes expensive. I started with the idea of buying the isolator but then I discovered a lot of threads raving for the microrendu and I read about its inherent capability of delivering a clean USB signal to the dac, not affected by the noise produced by the server. So I started wondering that the mr could be the best next step.

 

I would address any ground loop issue first if you're sure you have one.  Then provide the cleanest power possible to your NUC.  If it's under 50w the new SOtM sPS-500 could do that for a decent cost.

 

I've owned an mR and an sMS-200.  I have an ISO Regen on order.  I have my fanless server right next to my DAC so have no need for separation.  I'm not convinced an endpoint provides superior sound quality through ethernet isolation.  I've also gone the fiber media converter route which has fallen out of popular favor here at CA.  Every device needs a power supply which is a source of noise.

[firedog]

1 hour ago, simoneratti said:

The endpoint has its advantages, but I could sit the server close to the dac initially. It is a fanless NUC running roon rock. The fact is that the microrendu, beyond being an endpoint, also breaks the ground loop, so it partly covers the isolator role. Of course their combined use is the best option but it becomes expensive. I started with the idea of buying the isolator but then I discovered a lot of threads raving for the microrendu and I read about its inherent capability of delivering a clean USB signal to the dac, not affected by the noise produced by the server. So I started wondering that the mr could be the best next step.

You are aware that the mR has USB cleanup circuitry similar to the Regen built into it?

[simoneratti]

Yes I am, it cleans the signal but does not isolate completely as the ISO-hub and the ISO-regen. This is the reason why I say that it does it partly, and it is the reason why I started thinking that its purchase could come first.

[ismewor]

sms-200 or mR first.