Network Player Reviews

I’ve heard tell that subtlety is an art, but I feel that sometimes the art lies in not being subtle at all.

A difficult task has been presented to me; sonic comparison of the Sonore Signature Rendu SE with the SOtM Triple Set that is composed of the sMS-200ultra, the tx-USBultra, and the sPS-500 power supply. It’s a difficult mission because these products have been previously reviewed here at AudioStream and all were found to be first-rate products. Michael Lavorgna did an excellent job reviewing the Sonore Signature Rendu SE and found it to be a "pure pleasure" to listen to. Likewise, I was very impressed with the performance of the SOtM sMS-200ultra, tx-USBultra, and the sPS-500 with silver Y DC cable in my reviews. It just so happens that I own both the Sonore Signature Rendu SE and SOtM Triple Set and have a burning desire to know which setup will sound best in my system. Will it be the Sonore Signature Rendu SE or the SOtM Triad that will bring me closer to the music, and ultimately, long term musical satisfaction?

The sMS-200ultra Mini Network Player
The Korean audio manufacturer SOtM (Soul of the Music™) has added a new mini network player to their stable of audio devices called the sMS-200ultra. Now some of you are going to ask just how the sMS-200ultra differs from the sMS-200 that I recently reviewed here at AudioStream...

"Take 'em to the bridge"—James Brown, "Sex Machine"
Can a piece of hi-fi be a sex machine?

The Nimitra Computer Audio Server is the design of Keetakawee Punpeng, the creator of Fidelizer. I have previously written about Fidelizer Pro, software that optimizes the Windows operating system for use with music software. Keetakawee, who hails from Thailand, decided to combine his software talents and computer hardware knowledge to create a reference audiophile music server. He also wanted a server that would not only be better sounding than an off-the-shelf computer, but a device that would be effortless in terms of setup and use. The Nimitra was conceived as a plug and play device that would take the frustration out of the use of a computer for audio and let users concentrate on their enjoyment of music.

While USB DACs have been widely embraced by computer audiophiles for their ease of use and excellent sound, there has been a price to pay for the benefits associated with connecting one’s computer to these DACs. Noise, part and parcel of any all-purpose computer, is the enemy of music reproduction. The computer noise transmitted from the USB cable to the DAC steals from the user the ultimate sonic potential he could be enjoying.

Music-In-The-Box
You can serve to it, stream to it, and play to it via WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Toslink, or 3.5mm analog input. Armed with an ARM CORTEX A9 processor, 2x 50mm (2") speakers and an 89mm (3.5") woofer tri-amped with 60W of digital power, the Bluesound Pulse Mini pumps out a claimed 45Hz - 20kHz of not so mini music. Control playback from your iOS, Android, or Kindle device running the free BluOS control app or via the top-mounted touch controls and you have a world of music-in-the-box.