Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus

Overview

The Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus is a dedicated music server and network player designed to be the quiet, stable heart of a modern streaming system. It runs on the purpose built VitOS operating system and can act as a Roon Core, Roon Server or Roon Ready endpoint, and it is controlled through the Silent Angel Orbiter app. Rather than trying to be a jack of all trades, its engineering goal is to serve, organize and stream your library with as little electrical and computational noise as possible, then hand a clean signal to a dedicated DAC of your choice.

Thunder Data, the company behind Silent Angel, is a network audio specialist, and that focus shows in how the Rhein Z1 Plus is built. It combines a fanless, low noise computing platform with careful attention to power delivery and timing, so that the digital front end contributes as little jitter and grunge as possible to the chain. Because it is a source and a Roon core rather than an all in one, it slots neatly into high resolution systems where the DAC, amplifier and speakers are chosen separately and matched to taste.

The Rhein Z1 Plus is for the listener who wants Roon done properly on a stable, audio focused appliance, and who plans to feed an external DAC. It sits between the more compact Munich MU V2 and the flagship ZX in the Silent Angel range, offering server and player duties with room to grow as you add network switches and linear power supplies to further lower the noise floor.

Key Features

• Dedicated music server and network player that can run as a Roon Core, Roon Server or Roon Ready endpoint
• Built on the purpose designed VitOS operating system for low noise, stable streaming playback
• Controlled with the Silent Angel Orbiter app for library browsing and playback management
• Fanless, low noise computing platform focused on the digital front end of a streaming system
• Designed to feed a separate high quality DAC rather than acting as an all in one
• Works alongside popular streaming services and locally stored high resolution libraries
• Benefits directly from Silent Angel Bonn network switches and Forester linear power supplies
• Slots into the Silent Angel ladder between the Munich MU V2 and the flagship ZX

How the Rhein Z1 Plus Compares

Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus vs Silent Angel ZX

The ZX sits above the Rhein Z1 Plus as the reference server and player in the range. If your priority is the most resolving, no compromise digital source and you plan to build around it for years, the ZX offers more headroom at the top of the ladder. The Rhein Z1 Plus delivers the same VitOS and Roon core philosophy in a form aimed at excellent performance within a more accessible reference tier. See the Silent Angel ZX.

Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus vs Silent Angel Munich MU V2

The Munich MU V2 is the more compact streamer in the family and includes onboard DAC capability, making it a tidy single box entry into Silent Angel streaming. The Rhein Z1 Plus is a more dedicated server and Roon core built to feed an external DAC and anchor a larger, separates based system. Choose the Munich MU V2 for simplicity and the Rhein Z1 Plus when you want a purpose built source at the center of a growing chain. See the Silent Angel Munich MU V2.

Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus vs EverSolo DMP-A10

The EverSolo DMP-A10 is an all in one that combines streaming, DAC and preamplifier duties with a large touchscreen and a feature rich interface. The Rhein Z1 Plus takes the opposite approach as a dedicated server and Roon core that hands a clean signal to a DAC you select. Pick the DMP-A10 for an integrated, screen driven experience and the Rhein Z1 Plus when you want a focused source feeding separate high end conversion. See the EverSolo DMP-A10.

Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus vs Audiolab 9000N

The Audiolab 9000N is a self contained network streamer with its own DAC and display, aimed at a straightforward one box streaming solution. The Rhein Z1 Plus is a server and player first, running VitOS as a Roon core and relying on an external DAC for conversion. The 9000N suits listeners wanting a complete streamer, while the Rhein Z1 Plus fits a separates system where the source is kept distinct from the DAC. See the Audiolab 9000N.

Recommended DAC, Amplification and Network

The Rhein Z1 Plus is a source and Roon core, so complete the system with a dedicated DAC, amplification and speakers, and lower the noise floor of the front end with a Silent Angel switch and linear supply.

• Matrix Audio ND-1 DAC A clean, resolving standalone DAC that pairs naturally with a dedicated server, letting the Rhein Z1 Plus focus on serving while the ND-1 handles conversion.
• Parasound HALO HINT6 A versatile, powerful integrated amplifier that drives a wide range of speakers and gives the digital front end a strong, quiet foundation to build on.
• Spendor A2.2 A refined floorstander that rewards a clean source with natural tone and detail, making the most of a low noise server and DAC pairing.
• Silent Angel N8S An audiophile grade network switch that cleans and reclocks the network feed with a TCXO clock and low noise power, improving the signal reaching the Rhein Z1 Plus.
• Silent Angel F1S A multi rail linear DC power supply that lowers the noise floor of the digital front end, helping the server and switch perform at their quietest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Silent Angel Rhein Z1 Plus?
It is a dedicated music server and network player that can act as a Roon Core, Roon Server or Roon Ready endpoint, built to feed an external DAC.

Does the Rhein Z1 Plus include a built in DAC?
No. It is a server and player designed to hand a clean signal to a separate DAC of your choosing.

Can it run as a Roon Core?
Yes. It can serve as a Roon Core and Roon Server, as well as a Roon Ready endpoint.

What operating system does it use?
It runs on the purpose built VitOS platform developed by Silent Angel for low noise, stable playback.

How do I control the Rhein Z1 Plus?
You control it with the Silent Angel Orbiter app, and it also works within the Roon ecosystem.

Can I store my music library on it?
Yes. It is designed to serve and stream both local high resolution libraries and streaming services.

Do I need an external DAC to use it?
Yes. Because it is a server and player without onboard conversion, you connect it to a dedicated DAC.

Will a network switch actually improve the sound?
A switch makes no sound on its own, but an audiophile grade Silent Angel Bonn switch cleans and reclocks the network feed, which improves the source it serves.

Does a Forester power supply help?
A Forester linear DC power supply lowers the noise floor of the digital front end, helping the server and switch perform at their quietest.

How does it compare to the Munich MU V2?
The Munich MU V2 is a more compact streamer with onboard DAC capability, while the Rhein Z1 Plus is a dedicated server and Roon core aimed at feeding an external DAC.

How does it compare to the ZX?
The ZX is the reference model higher in the range and offers more at the top of the ladder, while the Rhein Z1 Plus delivers the same core philosophy at a more accessible reference tier.

Can it stream high resolution files?
Yes. It is built to serve and stream high resolution content through VitOS and Roon.

Is it fanless?
Yes. It uses a fanless, low noise computing platform to keep the digital front end quiet.

What connection does it use to the network?
It connects via Gigabit Ethernet for a stable, wired network feed.

Can it work with streaming services?
Yes. It works alongside popular streaming services in addition to your local library.

What DAC should I pair with it?
A resolving standalone DAC such as the Matrix Audio ND-1 pairs naturally, letting the Rhein Z1 Plus focus on serving.

What amplifier and speakers work well with it?
A capable integrated like the Parasound HALO HINT6 with refined speakers such as the Spendor A2.2 makes a balanced, complete system.

Who is the Rhein Z1 Plus for?
It is for listeners who want Roon done properly on a stable, audio focused appliance feeding a separate DAC in a separates based system.

What warranty does it carry?
It carries a two year parts and labor warranty from Silent Angel for the original owner.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
We are an authorized Silent Angel dealer offering genuine products with full warranty support, expert system matching and dedicated service to help you build the right streaming front end.