Customer FAQ
Answers to the questions we get most often. If yours isn't here, call or email us — lifetime free technical support comes with every product we sell, and a real person answers.
Choosing the right system
Why are a music server and player solution so important?
A dedicated music server and player keep the noisy computer out of your audio signal path. The server — a sonicTransporter — stores your library and runs your music software (Roon, Audirvāna, or HQPlayer) silently, with no fan and no PC to tweak. The player — a Sonore Rendu — sits next to your DAC and hands it a clean signal over the network, isolated from the electrical noise your computer and home network create. Splitting those two jobs, instead of running everything on one general-purpose PC, is what lets your DAC do its best work. It is why a purpose-built server-and-player setup consistently sounds cleaner and more resolved than a laptop or NAS feeding your DAC directly.
Watch our video on the music server and player solution »
How do I select the right products with Roon?
Our Roon product guide walks you through it: Roon customers: which products are right for me »
What network players will work with my sonicTransporter?
Many different players. The sonicTransporter can run Roon Core Server to support any Roon Ready device. It also supports SMB network shares for your Sonos player and DLNA for other network players, plus the Squeezebox protocol. With these protocols, virtually any network music player will work with the sonicTransporter.
Will my DAC work with the Rendu series players without a driver?
Drivers are only required on Windows, because Windows does not support the USB 2.0 audio spec. The Rendu series players do support the USB 2.0 audio spec, so they work with any USB 2.0-compliant DAC with no driver. About 99.9% of DACs work right out of the box with Rendu series players.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship our products worldwide. Our products include auto-switching power supplies that work in any country. Please note: our pricing does not include VAT. If your country charges VAT, we do not collect it, and you will be responsible for paying that tax.
Your music library
How do I copy, move, or delete music files on my sonicTransporter?
Your sonicTransporter shows up on your home network — open it in your network folder and drag your music over to it. Put your files in files → music → FLAC.
How do I manage my music files?
Make sure your music collection is organized before you import it into Roon or other music software — it saves a great deal of cleanup later.
More on music library management »
How many CDs will my sonicTransporter i5 CDR hold?
1TB holds roughly 1,500–2,500 CDs, depending on the file format and compression you choose.
Can I replace my CD player or CD changer with a sonicTransporter i5 CDR?
Yes. The sonicTransporter i5 CDR (or any sonicTransporter with an external CD ripper) rips your CDs, and you can play them back through a USB DAC attached to a Rendu series player.
Streaming and playback
How do I control playback to my Rendu series player?
Playback is usually controlled through an app on your smartphone or tablet.
Do the available apps in Software Manager let the Rendu series players access streaming services?
Yes. Roon has the best integration with TIDAL and Qobuz of any playback software, and also supports free streaming radio. The Squeezebox software supports streaming too, with thousands of streaming radio stations as well as TIDAL, Qobuz, and others. If you have trouble getting these working, reach out — we are happy to help.
How do I use TIDAL and Qobuz with my Rendu player if I don't have Roon?
You can use mconnect for that.
How do I set up Qobuz Connect on my Rendu series player?
How do I play audio to a Chromecast Audio or other Chromecast-enabled device?
Install BubbleUPnP Server and MinimServer.
Roon
Roon can't find my player, or I'm having other Roon issues
We have some troubleshooting tips, and there is more information on the Roon website.
How do I back up the Roon database?
We have a step-by-step procedure, and there is more information on the Roon website.
Backing up the Roon database »
Software and updates
How do I update my Rendu player or sonicTransporter to the latest software?
Rendu series players moving to Sonicorbiter 3.0: version 3.0 is a full rebuild of the operating system on a new Linux base, so it cannot be installed from Software Manager the way earlier updates could. Every Rendu needs a new microSD card written with the 3.0 image.
Rendu V3.0 upgrade directions »
sonicTransporter servers, and Rendu updates within 2.x: use the standard update procedure.
Standard software update procedure »
How do I install HQPlayer on a sonicTransporter?
Can I install Windows software such as JRiver on my sonicTransporter?
No. You can only use the server apps we provide. These include Roon, DLNA server, Plex Media Server, Squeezebox Server, and many others.
Hardware
How do I add a drive to my sonicTransporter?
You can add internal storage in a few minutes. First, shut the unit down from the web interface. Remove the top cover and seat a 2.5-inch SSD or hard drive in the internal SATA bay, then reconnect the cover. Power back up and mount the new drive from the Sonicorbiter web interface under Settings — you will see it appear as available storage. Prefer not to open the case? An external USB drive works too. The short video below walks through the whole process, and if you get stuck, give us a call — we will talk you through it.
Written directions for installing and formatting an SSD »
What is the proper way to power down my sonicTransporter?
It is best to leave the sonicTransporter on all the time — it uses very little power. If you do want to shut it down, use the shutdown button in the web interface, or tap (do not hold) the power button on the front.
Still stuck?
Call or email us. Lifetime free technical support comes with every product we sell, and you will be talking to the people who build them.