The "Official" Aurender Discussion Thread

[MarkusBarkus]

FWIW: I have an optical run in my system, and I found it improved SQ. I "only" have the ACS10, BTW. 😉
 

I started with two G10Tek FMCs to test concept with a one meter optical "break," then back to a 35' ethernet run from IT closet on first floor to basement audio room. I used Cat6a, and later "custom" cryo-ed, unshielded run with Telegartner connectors. Improvement with each change.
 

But running FO cable for 35' leg and adding an etherReGen with Farad3 PS was even better. Cable into Aurender was TriodeWires "Discreet" FYI. 
 

I am currently using the Sonore OM converter and the 35' FO run into a PFBuffalo switch, which is quite good. Buffalo is parent company of Melco, if you've followed any of those threads (PF is Pink Faun--replaced stock chip with their OCXO).
 

Next week, I will pull a new Single Mode OM2 FO run to replace the MultiMode cable to test that, upgrading the 10Gtek SFPs to Finistars.  
 

So, you can see, I am not afraid of adding a few devices into the mix--but all power supplies are very good, which is a

must. Absolute must, IMO.
 

(Later today I will modify my DAVE with the Sean Jacobs DC4...if UPS delivers.)

 

Summary: I think the optical run is beneficial. I have helped two friends add it to their systems, and they love it. Their ears are better than mine, IMO.

[MarkusBarkus]

FWIW: if anyone thinks the optical might work, but wants a proof of concept in situ, I think my all-in cost was under 100 bucks to add the optical "break" in my system.
 

Maybe add 25 bucks more if your case study is more than one meter. FO is approximately a dollar a foot, US market. A little less.

 

Not that 100 bucks is nothing, but it worked very well and I sold it all for 50 bucks to a friend three months later.

 

I ordered the 10Gtek bundle from Amazon because I saw it mentioned in a couple of threads from industry people.

 

2 FMCs

2 SFPs

1 meter of FO cable.

FMCs came with wall warts, but it works for testing. I had a Shanti unused so I fed both FMCs with the dual 5V from that.

 

I'll circle back on the single mode stuff, but across 35' I don't expect a change. But it's a hobby, right? Cheers...

 

 

[MarkusBarkus]

For my use, I think the Conductor app is fine. I have used JRiver in the past, which was also good for me. 
 

I appreciate the easy learning curve and good overall functionality. (Of Conductor)

 

I used to manage software dev projects, develop new projects, etc. and given the choice, I wouldn't shoe-horn someone else's app into "my" streamer, as I would lose control of "my" vision, and now be impacted by another company's vision, dev cycles, budget, etc.

 

Is the Conductor app missing some of the top-level features of other apps? Maybe, but only if you crave/value those features, IMO. I like the "closed" eco-system, and it's a

major reason why I bought Aurender. 

[MarkusBarkus]

I have been using the critical listening mode for almost a year with ACS10 and I seem to find a little clarity on some files or streaming.
 

I find no down-side to the feature, so why not?

 

I was interested to read community

comments on the SE upscaling, as I use a DAVE and HMS. I was considering looking for the previous model, feeling the upscaling was a redundancy in my system.

[MarkusBarkus]

@AnonamemouseI agree with you whole-heartedly there are many good collaborative  projects that yield good or great results.
 

Sounds like yours was one of them, and good engineers like you surely had a lot to do with that. 

 

But when you get the biz honchos pressing for their respective agendas, and you get tied together, you can become throttled by someone else's limitations (budget, talent, infrastructure).
 

You're right though, many times it can be better to let a dev house do dev, design do design, etc. so each handles their speciality. 

Even Apple, who does most of that in-house, used a manufacturing partner but I would bet a shiny apple that Apple calls the shots there.

 

I managed projects with them and they just tell you flat out: "That doesn't sound like Apple." Guess where that idea goes? Not in their software.

 

I like the Conductor software, but it isn't flawless. I have a beta installed and was doing some de-bugging recently. But it's OK...for me.
 

I enjoyed reading your comments about bank software dev. Lost one of my nine lives on that sword Cheers...

 

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...and of course, based on what you're decribing, @Anonamemouse anyone would be disappointed/frustrated...even a dev guy. 😉 Maybe especially a dev guy. Maybe Ari will channel your frustration across the water, A. Cheers...

[MarkusBarkus]

Hello Folks. Aside from the amount of storage capacity and the integrated ripper, am I giving anything up by trading up from an ACS10 to the W20SE? 
 

Actually, I think the ACS10 sounds excellent streaming and from storage, but am considering an "upgrade" nonetheless. 
 

Once everything is ripped, I don't really need that feature. I have not nearly used the storage space I thought I would. Doing a back-up "manually" once and a while wouldn't be a big pain vs. the ACS mirrored raid.

 

Users here with the SE seem to like it. Anything you don't like? Aside from price. 😉 Thanks for any input you may offer.

[MarkusBarkus]

Very helpful, @michaelD. I use Chord HMS and DAVE, so the upsampling in the SE is not a target feature. Initially, I thought it might actually be redundant (to me), so I didn't pursue the SE.

 

Frankly, the Taiko Extreme DIY thread is what got me thinking about the SE. I don't think I would be the best participant in the DIY group, and tweaking software is not fun (to me).

 

So, then it's Taiko vs. SE. I speculate over that sound differential, but have not found any concrete info...other than cost differential. 😉

[MarkusBarkus]

...yeah, there's stuff I can only listen to alone. It makes me misty and I'm afraid my wife will get me committed to the local asylum. Everyone should be so lucky to hit upon a system that's really cooking...whatever that means to each listener. 

[MarkusBarkus]

Oban is an excellent pour. And Scotch and music such an excellent combination. My network closet doubles as a whiskey locker. Keeps the network smooth. 

[MarkusBarkus]

@ken6217 have you checked the Aurender help site? Good info there. Cheers...

 

https://aurender.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026675874-What-is-the-proper-way-to-shut-down-my-Aurender-

[MarkusBarkus]

13 minutes ago, merge03 said:

Any UPS requires careful management, regular testing and maintenance, if you really need to rely on it for guaranteed uptime.

Yup. Nothing sadder than calling on the UPS you were depending on only to find it's not working as required...and sadder still: it's your fault for not doing the routine maintenance, testing/auditing, etc. Those are stressful conversations...

[MarkusBarkus]

2 minutes ago, AriMargolis said:

Actually, ACS10 is a very nice step in-between N100 and N10. The ACS10 USB output is considerably cleaner than that from N100. Certainly the power supply is wayyyyy more advanced. Also it has a newer, more efficient CPU board, and newer USB chipset for the dedicated USB audio output. 

...that was my first thought for an in-between model. The ACS10 sounds fantastic. I have had it in my system for about a year, into MScaler and Dave on DC4. Excellent sound.

[MarkusBarkus]

Are you able to connect to the ACS10 with a laptop or other computer? Navigate to the IP address you see in Conductor.

 

If so, you can manage the file system per normal file systems/protocols. You'll see all the folders you made via Conductor, and can locate specific files within those folders. Happy Hunting!

[MarkusBarkus]

@PonziI am not hooked up at the moment, due to network changes, so I can't get into Conductor. Here is a link to Aurender help...I hope it may be of help. Best...Mark

https://aurender.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026841213-How-do-I-delete-files-or-folders-on-my-Aurender-music-server-

 

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...tell him your audiophile friends online keep bothering you to know who the dealer is, but you're trying to avoid them.

Since you posted pictures, it would be difficult for the guy to assert it was correctly packed. 
 

There must be thousands of safe shipments sent and received by this community.

 

Not that there are never problems, but the boxes have to be firm and lot allow the contents to gain momentum by moving within the container.

 

And screws backed out of the fixtures? What the heck it that about? Maybe a pre-ship test in a paint-shaker? G-wiz. Sorry for your pain...

[MarkusBarkus]

...and some cool Luxy gear! @Bazingaany experience with m900s in bridge mode with those streamers? Cheers...

[MarkusBarkus]

I'm planning to relocate my ACS10 to a room with no ethernet capability for a headphone set-up. Hard-wire is a no-go to this location. 
 

Any experience/opinions on USB/WiFi "dongle" vs. WiFi extender with ethernet cable output into Aurender per usual?

 

Probably more interested in SQ over performance, but like both, of course.
 

Thank you...

[MarkusBarkus]

Hi Ari. I have used Test Flight many times, but for this beta, will I have the "lite" and the beta apps on my phone, or will the beta "over-write" the old one? BTW: I installed the lite app on iPhone about two weeks ago: works well.

[MarkusBarkus]

This is always a helpful and interesting thread, so here goes. 
 

Context: I am trying to get my two audio database files a bit closer to sync-ed. I recognize there are proper tools for this, but the critical files are what I really care about short term. Long-term, that's a project to tackle, for sure. 
 

I thought by using the export function, and editing the resultant Excel file, I could simply zero-in on the target files, and copy them from the ACS10 to another location, and ultimately copy into my second system db/file system on another network.
 

My laptop is connected to the ACS10 file system OK, but what I see in Excel is much larger than what I see via the Conductor app. The total count seems about close, but the target folder doesn't appear to have the files. 
 

The folder/header structures match, but many fewer albums display in the (phone) app than in Excel, ergo I can't really use this methodology to copy desired files.
 

Is there another way, or better steps to view all files on the Aurender? 
 

Rereading the above, I'm not sure I am conveying this clearly, but let me publish, and then respond to any respondents that may reply. Maybe that will help. Thank you in advance for any insights/guidance you may have.

[MarkusBarkus]

Yes, thanks. But I just want to find the ~100 files I need and pull them over from the Aurender-based second system to my main system. The ACS10 is a kind-of back-up for me. I don't understand where the discrepancy arises between the Excel export and what I see on the file system itself. Thanks for your comment, nonetheless.

[MarkusBarkus]

...and what if the requirements for a Roon integration are not fully aligned with "your" concepts regarding sound quality? The "your" here is Aurender, but could apply to other integrations. Perhaps integrating their API opens ports and signaling which requires alternative strategies for noise management.  

[MarkusBarkus]

...I never argue with "voices in my head!"