REVIEW
Mano ULTRA mkIII FARAD Music Streamer
Mano mk3 supports RCA or BNC SPDIF or AES/EBU and IIS HDMI digital outputs. IIS allows the DAC to derive ultra low jitter synchronous timing of the serial data that will be set up for transmission. Two femto ultra low jitter clocks, Crystek 957 series, are applied for extremely detailed signal handling and exact timing.
High-end streaming from any smartphone, tabled or PC or a laptop or whichever wireless device is at hand. This makes the listening experience much easier without compromising sound quality. The Mano Streamer is the ultimate streaming source for any DAC supporting coaxial SPDIF or supporting IIS HDMI inputs. IIS allows the DAC to derive ultra low jitter synchronous timing of the serial data that will be set up for transmission. Two femto clocks are applied for extremely detailed signal handling exact timing and low jitter thanks to these extreme accurate clocks powered by low noise (nV) discrete regulators.
FARAD SUPER3 POWER SUPPLY
A well designed circuitry, smart PCB design, grade A components, a sturdy aluminium housing and the drive to bring out something special in any sound system make up for a nifty and potent supercapacitor linear power supply with a very small footprint that will find a place in even the smallest of environments.
It’s not a case of throwing in some premium components and expect instant succes. They need to work in harmony to get an optimal result. It all starts with a clear concept of goals, how to achieve them, and painstaking testing: by measurements and by many hours of listening.
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
- I2S HDMI – LVDS signal processing (PS-AUDIO “STANDARD”) – Compatible with all Holo, Singxer, Matrix and Audio-GD DAC’s)
- RCA SPDIF – 0.5V pp @ 75Ohm
- Optional: BNC SPDIF 0.5V pp @ 75Ohm
- Optional: AES/EBU 110Ohm
FILE TYPES
- Supported File Types: AAC, AIF, ALAC, DIF, DSF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WV and WMA
- Playback DSD 64x, 128x (digital output max. DSD 64x DoP over Spdif / I2S)
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
- HDMI I2S LVDS = 44.1 Khz – 192 Khz | 16-24 bit – DSD64 (DoP)
- SPDIF OUT = 44.1 Khz – 192 Khz | 16-24 bit – DSD64 (DoP)
APPLICATIONS
Mano ULTRA mk3 is compatible and preconfigured with:
- Logitech Media Server solution (piCore)
- iOS iPeng9 and Android app Squeeze Orange
- Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Deezer, Spotify Connect
- local USB / NAS storage
- Radio Stations (TuneIn Radio)
- Localized in many languages including France, German, Dutch, Spanish
- Song Lyrics in app
- Ropieee (XL) a ready-to-go solution
- RoPieee is specific endpoint software that can be used with ROON Software
- Volumio Audiophile music player
- Supports all filetypes: FLAC, Alac, Aac, Vorbis, Mp3, DSD etc
- UPNP Playback
- Airplay Playback
- DSD Over PCM support
- Integrated WebRadio
- Mount USB drives and NFS Network Attached Storage, with an auto-discovery function
- Localized in many languages including France, German, Dutch, Spanish
- Native TIDAL and Qobuz Integration (MyVolumio Virtuoso)
- TIDAL Connect (MyVolumio Virtuoso)
- Alexa Integration (MyVolumio Virtuoso)
- MoOde™ audio player (supports Airplay, Spotify, Squeezelite)
- Radio Stations
- Mount USB drives and NFS Network Attached Storage, with an auto-discovery function
- Airplay, Spotify, Squeezelite
- UPnP A/V and OpenHome renderer for MPD
- MiniDLNA UPnP A/V media server
- UPnP browser with folder scan
- Qobuz and Tidal access via UPnP
INPUT CONNECTIVITY
- 1x RJ45 LAN Gigabit Ethernet port
- 4x Local USB hosts for media (USB drives)
STREAMING SERVICES
- Spotify
- Spotify Connect
- TIDAL
- TIDAL Connect
- Qobuz
- Deezer
- Pandora
- Internet Radio (Tune-In)
- Radio Stations
- Airplay (Apple)
TECHNOLOGY
- Automute I2S signal when switching between sample rates
- Supports volume control from application (Can be disabled)
- Fully re clocked I2S over HDMI output PS Audio / Audio-GD / Holo Audio / Singxer compatible
- Galvanic isolated and reclocked SPDIF output (RCA or BNC or AES/EBU Connection)
- 2x CRYSTEK FEMTO Clock’s. FIFO Oscillators designed specifically for High Definition Audio (HD Audio). It features a typical low close-in phase noise of -100 dBc/Hz @ 10 Hz offset, and a noise floor of -169 dBc/Hz. With this extreme low phase noise performance, you will “Hear the Difference”.
- Ultra low noise Tentlabs shunt regulators for oscillators and digital audio circuit. The shunts drop in instead of commonly used industrial types of regulators. Having much lower noise, true wide bandwidth and linear output impedance, they’ll bring improvement to sound in terms of: Higher resolution, better transparency, clean low ends and increased dynamics.
HDMI LVDS I2S OUTPUT
- THE HDMI I2S output is “PS-Audio compatible”. Most of the manufacturers of DACs with HDMI I2S input use this format.
- I2S is like USB asynchronous connection. Compared to standard S/PDIF where clock signal is integrated in data stream a complex process is required in the DAC to transform signal back to asynchronous.
- With I2S the shortest possible signal path from streamer to DAC to analogue conversion is achieved.
- No additional encoding and decoding steps are required. USB does require this.
- The HDMI cable from streamer to DAC is less impacting the sonic quality and no expensive cables are required to obtain best sound quality.
The only disadvantage you could think of is I2S is not really a standard, although more and more vendors are supporting I2S as external in or output.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Quad-core (ARMv8) 64-bit @ 1.4GHz
- RAM: 1GB LPDDR2 SDRAM
- Networking: Gigabit Ethernet
- OPTIONAL 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
- Storage: Micro-SD
DIMENSIONS
- Dimensions (mm) per. unit 190x132x48 (both units stacked 190x132x96)
Michele (verified owner) –
I have waited two weeks before send you some feedback of the recent purchased Mano Ultra mk3 since I wanted to run extensive tests in my system.
I am extremely satisfied by the performance of the Mano.
First of all RopieeXL software is a breeze to the set up in Roon.
I have compared Mano with the Bluesound Node 2i (modified with PD creative interface) powered by the same Farad S3 LPS and with Farad Level 2 silver DC cable
The improvement is really huge: in few words I would say the Mano mk3 sounds gently and musical albeit extremely resolving.
Steve –
Got my new streamer today and wow what a difference. My system has never sounded this good before. Using i2s connection to my gustard r26 dac, and it sounds amazing. New details, depths, dynamic range and a lowered noise floor. Enjoying registering and discovering new musical facets in music that I am very familiar with.
Joel N –
The streamer is exceptional and if the purchased through a normal dealer network would cost a lot more.
The only reason i have not given 5 stars is because there is no WiFi possibility. I am however extremely happy with the sound quality of this device. The sound quality exceeds my expectations.
C.L. –
After the mano ultra, holo audio spring level 2 kte, I just switched to the new mk3 farad, what happiness. You don’t change a winning team, I will definitely buy from them again! Strongly recommend. A more than satisfied audiophile.
Laurent –
Well received the Mano ULTRA mk3 which is marvelous! The sound is sublime.
I will see that with the listening time of the mano
Lukas (verified owner) –
Fünf von Fünf Sternen
Zu allererste habe ich die Software Volumio genutzt, diese gefiel mir in Handhabung und Software gar nicht. Ich bin Schlussendlich auf LMS umgestiegen darüber bin ich sehr glücklich.
Nun zum Streamer selbst, ich fange von hinten an: aktuell Blicke und höre ich mit größten Vergnügen durch die gesamte Musikbibliothek und höre mich durch. Schnelle Präzision Raffinesse ist es was diesen Streamer ausmacht.
Zuvor hörte ich ebenso mit einem Bluesound Node N130, die dort angebundene Software war fantastisch der Grund warum ich diesen Streamer auch nicht verkaufen werde.
Als ich diesen umgeschlossen habe auf den Mano fiel mir zuerst auf dass es kühl und stark analytisch klang, aufeinmal so wenig musikalisch. Dieses Gefühl hat sich inzwischen gelegt, ich habe noch mehr Ideen bekommen meine Anlage auf ein grosses Level zu heben durch diesen Streamer jetzt wird richtig der Charakter der zuvor angeschlossenen Geräte deutlich. Er spielt jetzt auch äußerst Musikalisch und ich entdecke völlig neue Muskalische Genres für mich. Ich liebe ihn und wusste er wird ein guter Kauf sein.
Tolle Arbeit, weiter so!
Jos Schellevis –
ENGLISH
First of all I used the software Volumio, I didn’t like the handling and the software at all. I finally switched to LMS and I’m very happy about that.
Now to the streamer itself, I’ll start at the back: I’m currently looking and listening through the entire music library with great pleasure and listening through. Fast precision sophistication is what defines this streamer.
Previously I also listened with a Bluesound Node N130, the software connected there was fantastic, the reason why I will not sell this streamer either.
When I wrapped it around the Mano, I first noticed that it sounded cool and strongly analytical, suddenly so little musical. This feeling has subsided in the meantime, I got even more ideas to raise my system to a great level with this streamer, now the character of the previously connected devices is really clear. He also plays extremely musically now and I’m discovering completely new musical genres for myself. I love it and knew it would be a good buy.
Great work, keep it up!
Karl –
I’ve recently purchased my Mano ultra mk3 streamer with the matched Farad super 3 power supply from Magna Hifi. This streamer now feeding my HoloAudio Spring 3 DAC, also from Magna Hifi. The team is super professional with an extremely high level of customer care service approach. Rob was helping me choosing the right components and now my system reached an unparalleled sonic performance. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and I only can recommend Magna Hifi as one of my best partners setting and completing my Stereo. Thanks again and wishing lots of success to the company! Kind regards, Karl
S.M. (verified owner) –
Right out of the box, it seems there may be a bit more detail than the Hermes DDC, judging from instruments being slightly more precisely placed in both height and depth, and with a little more body/space around them. Hi hats seemed much better resolved. The Mano is a touch strident compared to the Hermes but I suspect a few weeks of burning in will mellow the sound a bit. Of course, this is all with the standard DC cable and likely an OCC copper DC cable with improve the sonics as well.
Jeremy –
I am really enjoying the Mano! It replaced the Bridge II network card in my PS Audio Directstream and it has added a ton of clarity and separation that I didn’t have with the Bridge II. Not a subtle change.
Henrik Stormholt (verified owner) –
Review:
MANO ULTRA Mk III with FARAD Super3 LPSU streamer vs. Bluesound NODE (N130) streamer:
I have for some weeks tested MANO ULTRA Mk III with FARAD Super3 LPSU streamer vs. Bluesound NODE (N130) streamer via I2S HDMI-LVDS output to my HoloAudio Spring 3 DAC (level 2). The MANO has lifted the soundstage 1-2 levels higher than the NODE.
The sound textures are quite awesome with good separations between instruments ec. when playing London Grammar – music number: Hey Now or Strong or playing Agnes Obel – music number: Aventine or The Curse. The tempo, melodic and harmonic in the instruments are combined very separated and very clear and open in the heights up and down in the sound specter and in the wideness too, compared to the soundstage of the NODE. There are not huge differences, but it is very easy to hear the differences, wen switching between the 2 streamers playing the same music piece.
The MANO Ultra III/ FARAD is worth every penny and even more.