The "Official" Aurender Discussion Thread

[christophhh]

I just got my hands on an old Aurender N100 and wow does it sound like SHIT with Tidal (HiFi/Master quality). Sounds like hand cupping / loses so much low end.

In fact, it sounds worse through the N100 with Tidal than just plugging my Macbook directly into my DAC. Why would this be?

When I run 192/24 Flac files on the N100 it sounds amazing, though. 

My setup: Schiit Ragnarok > Schiit Yggdrasil > Monitor Audio Silver 300 > Aurender N100 

[christophhh]

Yeah, I paid the $49.99 for the MQA software update after I heard the audio, figured it might be that. Sounds same. Is there anyway I can check if its installed/running correctly on the system?

[christophhh]

Thanks for the replies. 

What do you think it could be? Especially because when I'm running FLAC files directly off a USB it sounds great. But with Tidal, sounds terrible vs my macbook plugged into the exact same network. I literally unplug from the Aurender, plug directly into Macbook on Tidal, same song and press play - sounds better. 

Could it be the way the Aurender plays with the Schiit Yggdrasil? I scoured the settings in the app and didn't see anything that I recognized I could change to effect the sound...

 

[christophhh]

@Mazza 

Not aware of any settings on the Schiit that would influence anything (manual here: http://schiit.com/public/upload/PDF/yggdrasil_manual_1_1.pdf)

Monitor Audio Silver 300 *speakers* -- (via RCA) -- Schiit Ragnarok *amp* --- (via RCA) -- Schiit Yggdrasil *DAC* -- (via USB B to A cable) -- Aurender N100 *streamer* -- (via Ethernet) -- Router -- (via wireless) -- iPad Pro w/ Aurender app

or I unplug the USB B to A cable from Aurender, and plug it into my Macbook (with Apple USB to USB C adapter) running the Tidal App. Macbook is running from battery and directly connected to DAC, totally wired. 


 

[christophhh]

It is a long ethernet cable for whatever it is worth. Like 16 feet long, just a generic one, nothing fancy. I don't see how this could effect anything about the sound though, haha. It's just an internet connection..

Maybe better to just get a little adapter? I'm going to order this one, Aurender customer support suggested it..

One question, if the internet connection is slow/or bogged down, will the Conducter app reduce the Tidal audio quality, or will it just not play until it is fully loaded? Wondering if a slower internet connection could allow the app to send a lower quality stream.

Also, what kind of Ethernet cable I should use..any specific type? Gigabit?
 

[christophhh]

Yeah. They suggested keeping it hard wired. 

Do you think it being too long or not being the right kind of ethernet cable makes a diff? What is the ideal recommended ethernet cable to be used with Aurender prodcuts, gigabit? 

This was Aurender customer support's response:

"Hi Christopher, 
Really, it should be connected via hard-wired ethernet to the router for the best user experience. In most cases, a decent electrician or AV installer can figure out a way to retrofit ethernet cable through the house if you are willing to let them be a little creative! In the long run it will only serve you well to have hard wired ethernet in your listening room…streaming bandwidth requirements are only going up as we move towards higher and higher resolutions.

However, there are a few workarounds if that is truly not possible:

- you can use a wifi extender which plugs into the wall and picks up the WiFi signal from your router. It has an ethernet output which you use to connect to the Aurender ethernet port. This solution works well as long as there is strong wifi coverage in the listening room.

- if you don’t care about streaming/internet access, you can use a USB WiFi adapter like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078MNWHDQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Again, in that scenario you would not have internet access, but you would be able to browse and play content that is stored on the Aurender hard drive.

Thanks,"