OK I went ahead and ordered an opticalRendu which arrived a few days ago. I am using the SGC Linear Power Supply as it was part of the bundle I purchased. I’m currently using a cheap USB cable that I had lying around. I have a few USB cables on the way to give them a try.
My Setup (I can compare between opticalRendu and Bridge)
Router > RJ45 > Switch > RJ45 > Fiber Transceiver > Fiber > opticalRendu > USB > DSD.
Router > RJ45 > Switch > RJ45 > Fiber Transceiver > Fiber > Fiber Transceiver > RJ45 Bridge.
I using Roon on a dedicated Mac Mini
My initial reaction is yes the opticalRendu sounds different but not to the point where I believe it is much better than the Bridge II. The opticalRendu sounds a bit livelier. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. I do expect a different sound when I get the new USB cables so I will see.
USB cables on the way are:
- Wireworld Starlight 8
- Shunyata Research Venom
- Analysis Plus Purple