I am just in receipt of an NDS to compare to my NDX2. Having read earlier posts, I acquired a Sonore Ultrarendu to use as was recommended by others as a UPnP bridge for Roon given the NDS has no USB connection. I mainly stream Tidal and QOBUZ. I’ve heard the NDS is considered superior form a sq POV and I already have a XPSDR so I thought it’s worth a good A/B listen.
I’ve seen the screen shots posted that refer to squeezebox and subsequent Roon settings. However although I’ve got the Ultrarendu on the network, installed apps etc I cannot get Roon to see it. Squeezebox is enabled in Roon but it keeps endlessly spinning looking for a squeezebox device. I never get past that point.
My network is simple modem/router through our telecom. Just a Mac mini and a Roon core on the network along with a cable box and some Apple TV units. The fellow on Canuck Audio I bought it from is willing to take it back, as unless I go for a USB coaxial converter unit it won’t work for me, but I can’t believe I can’t get it working and would prefer to keep and use it as others have done successfully.
Can some one take a moment to inform me of exactly which apps should be installed on the Ultrarendu…I think it’s just the Sonore Bridge and nothing else, but tried various combos. Additionally and advice on what I could do to get Roon to recognize it as a squeezebox device.
I have a backup USB->S/PDIF convertor so can make this combination appear as an Endpoint also. But I don’t use it as the SQ is not as good as the UPnP input.
Then in the SonoreUPnP settings, add the Renderer name manually, as the scanning doesn’t work
Thank you for your prompt and what seems pretty complete response. When planning this step I had read your shared posts and it seemed quite straightforward.
Followed the steps as you laid them out and unfortunately I’m still stuck in the same situation. All the screens look like yours but on Roon it keeps searching for the squeezebox endpoint without finding anything.
I’m running Version 2.9 of the Ultrarendu software and the bridge is 1.0.17
When I check the Roon Ready settings it shows only USB output as an option which I cannot change. The bridge app shows no server type or server IP and no renderer connected. Perhaps this is the problem, just not sure how to correct it.
But without a DAC attached to the UltraRendu it won’t show in Roon as an Endpoint. Plus with the SonoreUPnP you are not using this mode. This is a RAAT integration, You need a UPnP feed to the NDS.
Please ensure “Enable Squeezebox devices” is enabled in Roon and then reboot the Roon Server.
Are you certain it is on the same network subdomain? How is your network assigning IP address both to the Roon server and UltraRendu?
Are they being set by DHCP or manually as static addresses?
Can you get on another networked device and ping them both, to check they are both visible on the same network.
I went through all the network steps, software updates etc with IT professional son, lucky me, and yes they’re all in the network can ping each other. Still no action circle of death looking for squeeze box in Roon. Unplug/replug Ethernet from sonore and Roon core too as others suggested worked for them.
Only thing else I can think of is perhaps the physical Card in the sonore needs updating, however the vendor has kindly agreed to refund the unit which works fine as a usb dac.
I’ve got a Zen Stream with upgraded Linear PS and coaxial out that I’ll use for now. Have you or others had any experience comparing these two - Ultrarendu via UPnP bridge vs Zen Stream via coaxial on a Naim product specifically the NDS?
Again many thanks for your generous attempt to solve my sonore bridge challenge:)
I have not. I have connected a USB->S/PDIF convertor to the USB on the UltraRendu, and to the Digital input on the NDS.
This effectively is just using the NDS as a DAC.
It works ok, but the SQ is not as good as when using the SonoreUPnP and providing the NDS with a UPnP feed. But the USB->S/PDIF convertor was only a cheapish one (Breeze Audio U8) but if it gives you Roon support then great.
Still don’t why your Roon or SonoreUPnP Bridge doesn’t see each other.
I would raise a query on both the Roon and Sonore forums. It should be just a networking issue.
Thank you. Tried that multiple times too:(…no success.
I might press on with Simon’s suggestion to see if there’s anything further on the Roon/Sonore forum/support avenues.
Yes something definitely is missing in my setup. And the sonore unit appears and works fine as a USB endpoint, so it’s largely working normally.
Apologies as I don’t fully understand these nuances, but would you mind to explain how the UPnP via sonore method creates a different SQ in the NDS from connecting via an alternative streamer and coaxial input?
Would using a NDX2 or the less expensive ND5 XS as a streamer and using the NDS as a DAC create as good or better results than the sonore bridge UPnP. I have a CD555DR PS on the NDS.
Also have you tried, removing the SonoreUPnP Bridge on the UltraRendu, rebooting, then reinstalling it?
And you have definitely have ‘Enable Squeezebox support’ check in Roon’s General Settings? Then enabled in Roon’s Audio setting?
Then the name of the NDS typed manually into the SonoreUPnP settings under Renderer. In SonicOrbiterOS 2.9 the scan function got broken, but you can type the name.
In terms of a different streamer, an additional purchase can be made for another Naim streamer/network player but it would still be feeding the NDS with a S/PDIF signal into a digital input. Plus both the NDX2 and ND5XS have DACs in them, you then wouldn’t be using and would be redundant.
If you cannot get the SonoreUPnP Bridge working, I would suggest take the USB output and convert to S/PDIF with something like the Sonore UltraDigital.
This would give you the equivalent function of a NDX2 or ND5XS for Roon integration, and much cheaper too.
Unfortunately no progress in spite of your very generous support, which I sincerely appreciate.
Not sure what ekse to do. Perhaps the SD card update if needed from sonore would do the trick? I haven’t heard from sonore directly. If you’ve got it handy, forwarding the email that’s worked for others to get help would be great.
However, having had the brief pleasure of being able to do some AB listening to my NDX2 vs NDS, both played back through my XPSDR/282/HiCap DR/250 DR /Harbrth HL5+XD and Rel S/812…via Tidal on the Naim app…wow the NDS is just richer, blacker more open and deeper …crazy good. I say briefly because then after an attempted factory reset of my NDX2 it simply wouldn’t boot - black screen no Naim logo action- its headed to Naim for repair then this am …
I’ve been down a similar route with the microrendu and a Hugo. What solved the problem for me is rebooting the router and thereafter always switching on the streamer and then the NDX2/NDS/DAC first then the Roon core. The settings you have look good.
Thx Definitely going to try that firmware update…and I think I’m going to bail for now on the Sonore solution as I’ve got a return to sender option. It’s a bit more expensive but found a good deal on a used ND5 XS2 that could make a great all Naim front end for the NDS . Might be simpler and hopefully sonically as good as my Ethernet based input to the NDS/ native Naim app current process.
Having heard it, I can see why you’ve been so committed to the NDS and wringing the best sq out of it. What did you have before on the streaming side?
Pre NDS & the 2 power supplies for it, I had a ND5XS initially standalone and then with a NP5XS (this was also used on the NDS for a short time, before a 555DR came my way).
Before that I had a Squeezebox 3, with a Channel Islands Power supply into a Pink Triangle DAC, which was good up to 24/48 formats. But that was 2008 to 2014
So I have been playing with streaming audio for a while now.