New streamers from Aurender!

[rwwjr44]

I am of the opposite opinion. I purchased the X100 because it doesn't support all of these different streaming (many with inferior SQ) options. I have so much music that I haven't listened to some of it in years. I also have trimmed (at least I am trying to trim) my purchases of new music. At this time in my life, streaming is not a factor.

 

I may give Tidal a listen and reserve the right to change my mind but right now I am very happy with this "one trick pony" that performs the trick in an exemplary manner.

[DanRubin]

The Antipodes boxes may offer what you want, Jimmypowder. Still USB only, but they claim to support the streaming services.

[bpw]

The N100 shipment arrived this morning. Here's a quick snapshot of the N100 along with the Exogal Comet DAC, which we'll be showing at AXPONA here in late April. Homebrew rack.

 

[Jimmypowder]

I am of the opposite opinion. I purchased the X100 because it doesn't support all of these different streaming (many with inferior SQ) options. I have so much music that I haven't listened to some of it in years. I also have trimmed (at least I am trying to trim) my purchases of new music. At this time in my life, streaming is not a factor.

 

I may give Tidal a listen and reserve the right to change my mind but right now I am very happy with this "one trick pony" that performs the trick in an exemplary manner.

 

Yeah I understand your situation but I use music services for music exploration . The music I really like I will buy a used cd from Amazon or hi res from Hd Tracks or Acoustic Sounds . I subscribe to both Tidal and Spotify . Spotify has a bigger selection so I will use that a lot .

 

Subscribing to multiple music services has actually saved me money because I no longer buy CD's

that to me are mediocre to good .

 

Different strokes for different folks i guess .

[krass]

Yeah I understand your situation but I use music services for music exploration . The music I really like I will buy a used cd from Amazon or hi res from Hd Tracks or Acoustic Sounds . I subscribe to both Tidal and Spotify . Spotify has a bigger selection so I will use that a lot .

 

Subscribing to multiple music services has actually saved me money because I no longer buy CD's

that to me are mediocre to good .

 

Different strokes for different folks i guess .

 

Jimmy, I use Spotify a lot on my X100. I know you don't like AirPlay (neither do I), but for streaming this already lower-quality music source I find it quite fine. You anyway have to use an iPad, so using the iPad Spotify app and just clicking one AirPlay button is for me is just not something that bothers me.

 

I would even suggest I prefer to use the Spotify app rather than having it embedded in someone else's interface....

 

For "real Hifi" I agree, i too play the hires stuff via physical cables.

 

Just a thought

[Jimmypowder]

Jimmy, I use Spotify a lot on my X100. I know you don't like AirPlay (neither do I), but for streaming this already lower-quality music source I find it quite fine. You anyway have to use an iPad, so using the iPad Spotify app and just clicking one AirPlay button is for me is just not something that bothers me.

 

I would even suggest I prefer to use the Spotify app rather than having it embedded in someone else's interface....

 

For "real Hifi" I agree, i too play the hires stuff via physical cables.

 

Just a thought

 

Well in order for AirPlay to work properly you have to be close to the device . It's different then being within wifi range which is a lot larger .

My main equipment is in one room . Racks of it . Speaker wiring is throughout the house and outside . I may want to listen to music way upstairs on speakers but the AirPlay device I'm controlling would be downstairs . This is not gonna work . Trust me .

[bpw]

Well in order for AirPlay to work properly you have to be close to the device . It's different then being within wifi range which is a lot larger .

My main equipment is in one room . Racks of it . Speaker wiring is throughout the house and outside . I may want to listen to music way upstairs on speakers but the AirPlay device I'm controlling would be downstairs . This is not gonna work . Trust me .

 

Regarding use with AirPlay, Aurender told me, "The important thing is your iPad must have a good wifi signal. It doesn’t matter how far the iPad is from the device."

 

In other words any difficulty you may be having is unrelated to using an Aurender and everything to do with your wifi range. The Aurender's only network connection is through Ethernet.

[Jimmypowder]

Regarding use with AirPlay, Aurender told me, "The important thing is your iPad must have a good wifi signal. It doesn’t matter how far the iPad is from the device."

 

In other words any difficulty you may be having is unrelated to using an Aurender and everything to do with your wifi range. The Aurender's only network connection is through Ethernet.

 

Well I have found with other Airplay devices and speakers that that is not the case . Well let's hear from some users .

 

It is communicating with your apple device somehow . If I'm 200 feet from the Aurender even though I have good wifi where I'm at , will it be able to switch up and play music from your device effectively ?

[bpw]

Well I have found with other Airplay devices and speakers that that is not the case . Well let's hear from some users .

 

It is communicating with your apple device somehow . If I'm 200 feet from the Aurender even though I have good wifi where I'm at , will it be able to switch up and play music from your device effectively ?

 

Why not? Again, the connection between iPad and Aurender is

iPad ---wifi---> router ---Ethernet---> Aurender

Pretty darn simple.

[krass]

Why not? Again, the connection between iPad and Aurender is

iPad ---wifi---> router ---Ethernet---> Aurender

Pretty darn simple.

 

...I agree, it must be so; since Aurender has no form of wireless connectivity it has to receive the Airplay'd signal via wired Ethernet.

[mabe]

Yeah, c'mon Ted, you promised us a full-fledged review of the Aurender and Aries and it never happened. How about a three-sentence version comparing the two?

 

...jumping in....

 

Auralic Aries vs aurender X100 comparison:

 

On weekend a friend had an Auralic Aries on loan. For further evaluations he asked me for a quick comparison with my aurender X100.

 

The test setup was:

 

A: Aries with USB SSD ---> SPDIF --> Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

B: aurender X100 /USB -- > ar_t Legato /SPDIF -- > Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

C: HTPC with JRiver/Wasapi / USB -- > Audiophilleo 1 / SPDIF -- > Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

 

All levels have been matched to +/- 0.5 dB at 1 kHz (Level meter)

 

The unit under test was selected by the Lyngdorf input switch.

 

Test files :

- Manu Katche - 4rd round, “Senses”

- Holly Cole - Holly Cole

- FIM Super Sound – Carmen Habanera

- Katie Melua – Piece by Piece (3rd track “piece by piece)

 

Attention: below mentioned results are based on individual perceived impressions and overall system setup

 

Results/summary:

 

Considering key SQ properties (soundstage, sibilance, perceived black background, details, etc….) the Aries has been perceived close to the HTPC.

My friend told me that he came almost to the same conclusion by comparing the Aries with his mac mini / Pure Music / Audiophillio1 setup.

 

Side effect: a cell phone call could be recognized on the LS during the Aries test …

 

The overall SQ as well as specific criteria’s have been different on the aurender. We got the impression being closer to the musicians. More details, fuller soundstage, blacker background, you name it…

 

Example: in the beginning of Katie Melua’s “piece by piece” track 3, the sibilance seems to be harsh recorded.

 

The aurender presents this part less harsh but with a hall/noise in the background. So the recording seems to be ok.

 

Ok, the test is not fair as the aurender X100 cost at least twice as much compared to the other UUT’s.

But anyway…

 

mabe

[fabien44]

Hello,

thanks for your feedback. Could you tell us which version of the Aries firmware?

Thanks

[mabe]

Hello,

thanks for your feedback. Could you tell us which version of the Aries firmware?

Thanks

 

I don't know the FW rev. exactly. The HW is approx. 6 month old and the FW supported external USB disk flawlessly.

[kunarx]

...jumping in....

 

Auralic Aries vs aurender X100 comparison:

 

On weekend a friend had an Auralic Aries on loan. For further evaluations he asked me for a quick comparison with my aurender X100.

 

The test setup was:

 

A: Aries with USB SSD ---> SPDIF --> Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

B: aurender X100 /USB -- > ar_t Legato /SPDIF -- > Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

C: HTPC with JRiver/Wasapi / USB -- > Audiophilleo 1 / SPDIF -- > Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

 

All levels have been matched to +/- 0.5 dB at 1 kHz (Level meter)

 

The unit under test was selected by the Lyngdorf input switch.

 

Test files :

- Manu Katche - 4rd round, “Senses”

- Holly Cole - Holly Cole

- FIM Super Sound – Carmen Habanera

- Katie Melua – Piece by Piece (3rd track “piece by piece)

 

Attention: below mentioned results are based on individual perceived impressions and overall system setup

 

Results/summary:

 

Considering key SQ properties (soundstage, sibilance, perceived black background, details, etc….) the Aries has been perceived close to the HTPC.

My friend told me that he came almost to the same conclusion by comparing the Aries with his mac mini / Pure Music / Audiophillio1 setup.

 

Side effect: a cell phone call could be recognized on the LS during the Aries test …

 

The overall SQ as well as specific criteria’s have been different on the aurender. We got the impression being closer to the musicians. More details, fuller soundstage, blacker background, you name it…

 

Example: in the beginning of Katie Melua’s “piece by piece” track 3, the sibilance seems to be harsh recorded.

 

The aurender presents this part less harsh but with a hall/noise in the background. So the recording seems to be ok.

 

Ok, the test is not fair as the aurender X100 cost at least twice as much compared to the other UUT’s.

But anyway…

 

mabe

 

Thanks for the comparison.

 

Much appreciated.

[TubeLover]

Any comments on the relative sound quality of the N100?

 

JC

 

 

The N100 shipment arrived this morning. Here's a quick snapshot of the N100 along with the Exogal Comet DAC, which we'll be showing at AXPONA here in late April. Homebrew rack.

 

[Elberoth]

...jumping in....

 

Auralic Aries vs aurender X100 comparison:

 

On weekend a friend had an Auralic Aries on loan. For further evaluations he asked me for a quick comparison with my aurender X100.

 

The test setup was:

 

A: Aries with USB SSD ---> SPDIF --> Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

B: aurender X100 /USB -- > ar_t Legato /SPDIF -- > Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

C: HTPC with JRiver/Wasapi / USB -- > Audiophilleo 1 / SPDIF -- > Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 --> Piega Coax 90.2

 

All levels have been matched to +/- 0.5 dB at 1 kHz (Level meter)

 

The unit under test was selected by the Lyngdorf input switch.

 

Test files :

- Manu Katche - 4rd round, “Senses”

- Holly Cole - Holly Cole

- FIM Super Sound – Carmen Habanera

- Katie Melua – Piece by Piece (3rd track “piece by piece)

 

Attention: below mentioned results are based on individual perceived impressions and overall system setup

 

Results/summary:

 

Considering key SQ properties (soundstage, sibilance, perceived black background, details, etc….) the Aries has been perceived close to the HTPC.

My friend told me that he came almost to the same conclusion by comparing the Aries with his mac mini / Pure Music / Audiophillio1 setup.

 

Side effect: a cell phone call could be recognized on the LS during the Aries test …

 

The overall SQ as well as specific criteria’s have been different on the aurender. We got the impression being closer to the musicians. More details, fuller soundstage, blacker background, you name it…

 

Example: in the beginning of Katie Melua’s “piece by piece” track 3, the sibilance seems to be harsh recorded.

 

The aurender presents this part less harsh but with a hall/noise in the background. So the recording seems to be ok.

 

Ok, the test is not fair as the aurender X100 cost at least twice as much compared to the other UUT’s.

But anyway…

 

mabe

 

I do not understand the point of this comparo. Why have you introduced another variable to the equation, in the form of various USB/SPDIF converters ?

 

What you have heard, may equally well be differencies between the USB/SPDIF converters.

 

A valid comparo would be comparing Aries vs Aurender vs HTPC all using the same ar_t Legato converter.

[mabe]

 

What you have heard, may equally well be differencies between the USB/SPDIF converters.

 

A valid comparo would be comparing Aries vs Aurender vs HTPC all using the same ar_t Legato converter.

 

..good point, covered.

 

Especially to prevent this situation we first compared the Legato with Audiophilleo on the UUT's. We also changed the cabling.

 

Bottem line - we couldn't realise any significant change on SQ (44.1/16 only). But the level was different so for a valid comparison we needed to match the various levels by a level meter.

 

In the end, this approach enabled a direct comparison between the UUT's by switching the various inputs on the Lyngdorf amplifier w/o any breaks in between.

 

Hope it helps.

[Elberoth]

Bottem line - we couldn't realise any significant change on SQ (44.1/16 only). But the level was different so for a valid comparison we needed to match the various levels by a level meter.

 

There should be no difference in level when comparing digital transports. If there was one, then one of the transports had the digital attenuation applied - weird, and makes the whole comparo even more questionable.

[mabe]

There should be no difference in level when comparing digital transports. If there was one, then one of the transports had the digital attenuation applied - weird, and makes the whole comparo even more questionable.

 

 

Theory and real world...

 

Some findings in the real digital world:

 

1. Different player implementations can result in different levels.

 

I.e. if the player also addresses ICC (Inter-sample Clipping Correction) the level may be reduced by some dB. Very often the audio level exceeds 0 dBFS (loudness war) resulting in “harsh” sound if not processed properly.

 

2. The input sensitivity of amplifiers could be set to an unknown level.

 

So care should be taken even in the digital world.

 

Therefore, some Class-D amplifiers enables you to match levels from different sources.

 

The TDAI 2200 provides sensitivity adjustments of +/- 12dB in 0.1 steps.

 

In my case, running 16 Bit material in the 24 Bit processing environment means, that adjustments in the 1-2dB range doesn’t matter at all.

 

Ignoring the real digital world is questionable.

[bpw]

There should be no difference in level when comparing digital transports. If there was one, then one of the transports had the digital attenuation applied - weird, and makes the whole comparo even more questionable.

 

I agree. According to mabe the levels can be adjusted in 0.1 dB steps, so it should be done. 0.5 dB is too big of a difference. Levels should be measured by a volt meter across the speaker terminals, not using a microphone.

 

Tubelover: The N100 is acquitting itself well. Performance differences between it and the X100 will be more related to the DAC and perhaps cabling. I am sure that over time some will claim one or the other is better, but keep these factors in mind as YMMV.

 

We will have the N100 and the X100L on demo in our room (554) at AXPONA here in April. At this time I am fairly certain Harry Lee and Sally Jeung of Aurender will be present at the show to support us. Our W20 will be on demonstration in the Bricasti Design room (422) as well.

[warrensomebody]

I was wondering if someone could post a detailed review of the iPad interface for Aurender. How responsive is it? Any connectivity problems or annoyances with the way it works? How does it compare to iTunes Remote?

 

I currently have a Mac Mini and log into it from my laptop via Screen Sharing to control iTunes, Swinsian, Audirvana, Rdio, etc. That works for the most part, but the Mac is a blessing and a curse. I can always eventually get the problem fixed, but I really wish I didn't have to deal with the problems at all. The appeal of a solution like Aurender is to have all this be stable and streamlined to the music playback use case, but if the primary UI is sub-standard then I don't think I'm going to be happy with it. So I'd love to hear other's impressions of how well it's designed. Thanks,

[Pete86]

Following up on the ipad interface question. Are there other themes you can choose? The default brown is not really my cup of tea, and i'm also curious why they still haven't updated to the newer iOS look.

[rwwjr44]

I have had limited experience with long term use of an iPad interface for music. I briefly tried MPad, the PC Audio app, Kinsky and a few others but none of them worked well in my original set up. I have used both Synology's DSAudio which worked well enough for me (I still use it with Air to stream music to different locations in the house) and Cyrus' Cadence app which IMHO is a dog.

 

The Aurender app works pretty fast and allows you to flexibly sort your collection (of course Metadata needs to be accurate and complete), it is fast enough that I have no complaints (the one exception is loading large playlists) and it is flexible enough for me (sorry). I don't think you can change the color theme, but if enough people were interested (I am not) I think they would consider it.

 

Careful reading of the manuals is highly recommended. The unit isn't complicated but some tasks need to completed in sequence. The unit is forgiving enough that recovery from the operator (me) disconnecting the power cord without a proper shutdown (remember this is a computer) is easy enough.

 

The unit is stable, works as advertised and the UI is IMHO impressive. The sound is fantastic enough that I am in the market for new speakers and amp.

[krass]

I was wondering if someone could post a detailed review of the iPad interface for Aurender. How responsive is it? Any connectivity problems or annoyances with the way it works? How does it compare to iTunes Remote?

 

I currently have a Mac Mini and log into it from my laptop via Screen Sharing to control iTunes, Swinsian, Audirvana, Rdio, etc. That works for the most part, but the Mac is a blessing and a curse. I can always eventually get the problem fixed, but I really wish I didn't have to deal with the problems at all. The appeal of a solution like Aurender is to have all this be stable and streamlined to the music playback use case, but if the primary UI is sub-standard then I don't think I'm going to be happy with it. So I'd love to hear other's impressions of how well it's designed. Thanks,

 

not a detailed review I'm afraid; but the interface is the best I've used. The brown colour disappears once you start using it (get used to it) and now I prefer it to something bright & distracting. The App is fast; one thing Chris C pointed out in his original review is that artwork is downloaded from the Aurender and cached on the iPad; so none of the annoying delay whilst it reloads artwork when you scroll off the bottom of a page with a lot of albums in cover view.

 

It is effortless. It reminds me of the days when you put a CD in. pressed play and it just played without drama.

 

Apart from "the brown", have you (or anybody) ever seen a single bad forum comment on the Aurender interface ?

I haven't...........

[bpw]

Thanks, rwwjr44. I've heard no complaints about the brown color scheme of the app, so it's doubtful whether they will offer other choices such as gray or blue. Personally I find it tasteful and easy to live with, and it happens to blend very well with my demo rooms here. But I suppose if they get a lot of requests, they might offer another color scheme or two through the settings menu.

 

The app is very responsive. The whole thing just works, like a toaster. You just don't think about it, you just sit back and listen, the way it should be.