Sonore SE + ER vs Airlens

Network Audio
21

I agree. I still have my ultrarendu but sitting idle. I guess I should upgrade firmware and sell it. I wish i could use it with Bacch4mac. Solid and dependable kit and seamless integration is my Sonore Experience

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22

I had the SE, it was a fantastic streamer. But, I am glad itā€™s gone. No more streamers for me. Done. Kaput.

23

Nothing wrong with records, discs, or tape if that is what you like. In case Iā€™m not understading you if your DCS gear has a network input and you are using it for audioā€¦its streaming.

24

The BartĆ³k and Rossini have an isolated Bridge built in. I compared the Sig SEā€™s USB output into the DACā€™s isolated USB vs the dCS Bridge. They both sounded good. Ultimately, I chose the Bridge input.

YMMV.

25

If it sounds just as good, has less boxes and cables then its a winner in my book. All in one units are very attractive at this level.

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26

Those are very nice unitsā€¦enjoy!

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27

Less is more.

This is the way.

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28

I settled on the Rossini with the Master Clock. Itā€™s very nice.

29

Yes, but cost wise that two box solution is like comparing Apples to Beskar.

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30

This is true.

Since I made the change, I will never remove my helmet.

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31

Oh poor guy has to settle with that. Itā€™s rough in Portland. Lol

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32

Oh I quite appreciate that statement!

33

Wanted to revive this topic as Iā€™m debating changing my Signature Rendu SE (not deluxe) for the airlens.

I recently have had issues with my optical conversion and my network isnā€™t connecting to the streamer. I could have the Rendu sent in and upgraded with the recent update or go the airlens route.

Airlens would allow for easier Spotify connect integration, and allow for I2s use, which my current Rendu does not allow.

Any thoughts on airlens vs the Rendu? Or advice?

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34

Darn, now there is a wrench in my decision making.

Airlens VS the upgrade package for Sonore Sig Rendu SE?

35

I donā€™t know why there is no good report on AL vs Sonore SE.

I want to go to AL but I donā€™t know how better it will be compared to SE.

36

I ordered the AirLens and will try it out compared to my Sonore Signature Rendu SE. Iā€™ll post my findings.

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37

What were your findings?

38

Thanks for the reminder, Iā€™ll try to keep it short. I think the main improvements for my system are:

  1. Usability - everything just works as intended on the Airlens. For example, switching from Spotify to Roon on the Sonore required me to pull out a computer and manually switch the input to Spotify via the IP address controller (would not work on phone or iPad). With the AL, everything is always available to is can seamlessly switch between Spotify and Roon. This alone was worth the upgrade (or downgrade) to be honest. Sonore really needs to get with the program, its 2025ā€¦
  2. Reliability - The Sonore used a fiberoptic in and would have very frequent disconnects. Sometimes preventing from even getting the system to work which has screwed my multiple times over when friends were visiting. I canā€™t even remember how many times I was like ā€˜oh sorry my system is down.ā€™ The airlens just works. I should atleast mention here that I donā€™t 100% know if it was the Signature Renduā€™s fault because I used an EtherRegen to convert to optical and had to ā€˜reverseā€™ the direction it was intended to go. I talked to the builders several times and they swore that it was supposed to work both ways but I donā€™t know anymore, point is that the combination I had just wasnā€™t reliable. Infinitely better with the airlens. There have been a couple disconnects here and there but a quick reelection of the airlens fixes the issue. Maybe a more robust wifi/optical ethernet system would alleviate these issues. The airlens was worth the upgrade once again for even this alone.
  3. SQ - this is a lot less obvious. I do think that the airlens sounds a touch better than the SigRendu BUT its slight at best and I also donā€™t know if itā€™s because Iā€™m using a higher quality input on my DSDMKii. the SignatureRendu only has USB out and I have read from multiple MKii owners that the I2S input sounds better than USB. Soā€¦ am I hearing an improvement from the airlens? or am I hearing a better input with less noise on the MKii? My HDMI cable is a RAL audio too so itā€™s much better than a lower end WW USB I was using. The ā€˜air-gapā€™ in the AL should eliminate jitter and noise pretty close to what an optical system would do IMO. Anyway, I would NOT have bought the airlines for the SQ improvement alone, although 1 & 2 above have been game changers for me.

Hope that helps yall

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39

I have lots of experience with Sonore. The etherregen does work in reverse but itā€™s just not a good partner with Sonore optical gear. The new Sonore optical module deluxe is rock solid with all Sonore optical endpoints in my experience. It has to do with the Broadcom optical module now used.

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40

OK, thank you.

I believe you were having some adverse issues with the Signature.
Havenā€™t heard many disconnect problems but thereā€™s always somebody to spoil the bell curve.

Thought about the AirLens myself at one point but ultimately ended up going the Sonore Signature route, and havenā€™t regretted it.

I understand your points, though, and Iā€™m glad you found something to meet your needs.

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