The "Official" Aurender Discussion Thread

[edje]

12 hours ago, Vincent1234 said:

As indicated by Ken: the Bartók is one hell of a DAC. So yes, it will be a huge upgrade. Considering the X100: if your budget allows you could consider listening to an N10 too (maybe a used one!) or even an N20. The N10 does sound considerably better than the X100 (which uses an SMPS instead of an LPS). But again, it's about budget. The N10/N20 would be a great match with the Bartók, but you could also be happy with an X100.

Thanks Vincent.

What I am struggling with is the balance between the contribution of the dac and the streamer. There is such a huge step in costs between the N100 and N20, there is nothing in between. My budget is not sufficient for an N20 and a Bartok. I have always understood that the DAC is the biggest contributor. What does the N20 add to an N100 if there is a Bartok behind it in relation to the sound quality. I think it is a difficult consideration.

[edje]

12 hours ago, P951C said:

You also can use the A10 with the Bartók. I use my A10 with a Moon 750D is a beautiful combination.

That is interesting! Can you please describe the differences between the internal DAC of the A10 and the 750D as axternal converter? On what parameters does the 750D exceed the A10 dac?

[P951C]

The sound from the A10 in combination with the 750D is deeper, wider and has more timbre. The sound from the A10 is a bit brighter. I have music perfect for the A10. Overall it is more relaxed to listen to the 750D. It is also nice that I can listen DSD and MQA on the A10 that’s not possible with the 750D.

[agladstone]

5 hours ago, edje said:

Thanks Vincent.

What I am struggling with is the balance between the contribution of the dac and the streamer. There is such a huge step in costs between the N100 and N20, there is nothing in between. My budget is not sufficient for an N20 and a Bartok. I have always understood that the DAC is the biggest contributor. What does the N20 add to an N100 if there is a Bartok behind it in relation to the sound quality. I think it is a difficult consideration.

I agree 💯! 
I have had an N100 for a few years now and I do love it. However I would have upgraded to the next step up a long time ago if there was a model in-between the N100 and the N10 (N20). 
I have had discussed several times in the past with dealers about moving up to an N10 and based upon the rest of my system, I have always been told that for the cost difference between N100 vs N10 (N20), that for my system, that money would be better spent first on a really great tube based preamp and/ or an upgraded / better power amp and continue with the N100 until after those upgrades. 
I have always wondered why no step in-between? For example an N200 or N5 at a $4,000-$4,500 price point? 
I suspect there are a lot of Aurender customers like myself that don’t yet have the system that would benefit from an N20 as much as an N100 or the nonexistent N5 and a new preamp as example for the same total cost. 
this would than position that customer to than go up to the N20 as a next step after the hypothetical N5, because they would now have the preamp or better power amp. etc that would now benefit from an upgrade to the N20. 
obviously if I did upgrade from my N100 to an N20 now, I’m certain there would be an increase in my systems sound quality, it’s just that it would not benefit as much as keeping the N100 and reallocating those funds towards better core components first. 

[edje]

4 hours ago, P951C said:

The sound from the A10 in combination with the 750D is deeper, wider and has more timbre. The sound from the A10 is a bit brighter. I have music perfect for the A10. Overall it is more relaxed to listen to the 750D. It is also nice that I can listen DSD and MQA on the A10 that’s not possible with the 750D.

That is exactly the difference between my turntable compared to the A10.  Although the A10 sounds very good to my ears, there is definitely room for improvement. I think I try first to add a good dac to the setup and decide from there. Thanks for your contribution.

[The Computer Audiophile]

The A10 is a great piece, but those looking to upgrade to something like a dCS Rossini or Moon 750D will definitely take their systems to the next level. If I was talking to a friend about this type of upgrade, I'd tell him to keep the A10 as the digital source feeding a new DAC. This is step one. If it sounds perfect with the A10 and new DAC, then stop there. If he wants to take it to another level again, then look at upgrading the Aurender. Take this one step at a time. The performance can be maximized this way, versus trying to upgrade both pieces at the same time. Heck, one someone has a dCS unit they can consider a W20 / W20SE with clock input being fed by a dCS DAC. 

[edje]

7 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

The A10 is a great piece, but those looking to upgrade to something like a dCS Rossini or Moon 750D will definitely take their systems to the next level. If I was talking to a friend about this type of upgrade, I'd tell him to keep the A10 as the digital source feeding a new DAC. This is step one. If it sounds perfect with the A10 and new DAC, then stop there. If he wants to take it to another level again, then look at upgrading the Aurender. Take this one step at a time. The performance can be maximized this way, versus trying to upgrade both pieces at the same time. Heck, one someone has a dCS unit they can consider a W20 / W20SE with clock input being fed by a dCS DAC. 

That is indeed the way it goes in "audio world". If the Bartok will give me a tremendous upgrade in sound quality I think I suddenly have extra budget to buy a N20 😄

 

But given the fact that the A10 acts like the N200 will give me the opportunity to try it with the Bartok.

[ken6217]

1 minute ago, edje said:

That is indeed the way it goes in "audio world". If the Bartok will give me a tremendous upgrade in sound quality I think I suddenly have extra budget to buy a N20 😄

 

But given the fact that the A10 acts like the N200 will give me the opportunity to try it with the Bartok.

 

Make sure you audition it before you buy. It is a good DAC, but everyones idea of how something sounds as well as YOUR room and associated equipment is different than someone else's.

[edje]

I will Ken. I don't spent so much money without listening.

[AurenderAmerica]

2 hours ago, agladstone said:

I have always wondered why no step in-between?

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. You can hear the difference. Not to mention you get CD ripping, library management software (ACS Manager App), and 2x8TB of storage! ACS10 is a super high Performance:Price ratio piece of gear. 

 

But, to answer @edje question about the performance value of a DAC vs. Source (a very good question) - think of a flight analogy where the DAC is the plane and the source is your seat on that plane. Except it's not a one-time seat...you get the same seat every time you fly, for life, even if you change planes (DACs)! With the N100 series, you're already sitting in business class on a trans-continental flight (there is no "coach" in the Aurender product line). First class is nicer, duh. But, if you've ever been lucky enough to sit in business class, do you spend the flight wishing you were in first class? Or do you enjoy the ride? The fact that you can get to such a high level of performance/luxury for the price of an N100 (less than a business class ticket, probably) is pretty damn cool! Where this flight analogy ends is that it is much more difficult to engineer a BETTER audio experience than what N100 provides than it is to provide a more luxurious seat and service on an airplane. So, that's why there's such a huge difference in price between N100 and W20SE.

 

Upgrading your source WILL make the DAC sound like a better version of itself, whether it is a $2000 DAC or a $20,000 DAC.

 

It is up to you whether to invest in your forever "seat" (source) first, or do you buy a bad ass plane and figure out where you're going to sit later, knowing that plane is going to take you where you want to go regardless. There's not really a wrong answer there.

 

[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.

[agladstone]

1 hour 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. You can hear the difference. Not to mention you get CD ripping, library management software (ACS Manager App), and 2x8TB of storage! ACS10 is a super high Performance:Price ratio piece of gear. 

 

But, to answer @edje question about the performance value of a DAC vs. Source (a very good question) - think of a flight analogy where the DAC is the plane and the source is your seat on that plane. Except it's not a one-time seat...you get the same seat every time you fly, for life, even if you change planes (DACs)! With the N100 series, you're already sitting in business class on a trans-continental flight (there is no "coach" in the Aurender product line). First class is nicer, duh. But, if you've ever been lucky enough to sit in business class, do you spend the flight wishing you were in first class? Or do you enjoy the ride? The fact that you can get to such a high level of performance/luxury for the price of an N100 (less than a business class ticket, probably) is pretty damn cool! Where this flight analogy ends is that it is much more difficult to engineer a BETTER audio experience than what N100 provides than it is to provide a more luxurious seat and service on an airplane. So, that's why there's such a huge difference in price between N100 and W20SE.

 

Upgrading your source WILL make the DAC sound like a better version of itself, whether it is a $2000 DAC or a $20,000 DAC.

 

It is up to you whether to invest in your forever "seat" (source) first, or do you buy a bad ass plane and figure out where you're going to sit later, knowing that plane is going to take you where you want to go regardless. There's not really a wrong answer there.

 

Ari:

thanks for this and after I wrote that post, I did think to myself “I suppose the in-between is the ACS10” :) 

Further, you are once again proving my comments from the other day,,, Someone needs to hire you as a reviewer at once! 
You have a way with words and making analogies and comparisons make perfect sense to the layman! 

[Clyde2]

Is it possible to determine the age of an Aurender from the information on the back of the unit?? I haven’t had any luck finding this out and I’m hopeful someone here knows the answer. 
 

thank you

[Shane F]

1 hour ago, Clyde2 said:

Is it possible to determine the age of an Aurender from the information on the back of the unit?? I haven’t had any luck finding this out and I’m hopeful someone here knows the answer. 
 

thank you

 

Use the following webpage and insert the Aurender's serial number to find out the date of manufacture.

 

http://beta.aurender.com:35003/products/showProducts.php

 

[Clyde2]

Thank you

[The Computer Audiophile]

Ok, I’ll put in my request for a feature that most people don’t need, but I’d love it. Heck, if we don’t as, we won’t receive. 
 

I’d love a large overlay of the volume level when adjusting the my constellation preamp through conductor. If you look at this screenshot, and consider where your thumb is when turning the volume up in the lower left corner, you notice that you can’t see the current level. My left thumb completely covers the number. A pop up overlay with large numbers or something else would be great.  
 

ok, back to the regularly scheduled program. 
 

[agladstone]

Is the volume control a new feature or a feature only available on certain models? 
I wasn’t aware that Conductor had this capability? 

[The Computer Audiophile]

53 minutes ago, agladstone said:

Is the volume control a new feature or a feature only available on certain models? 
I wasn’t aware that Conductor had this capability? 

When an Aurender is connected to a Constellation Audio preamp, Conductor can control its analog volume and input select. It’s slick!

[agladstone]

That is an amazing feature! I wonder if they will incorporate that feature for additional brands in the future. It would be so convenient (as you’re already experiencing) because that would mean I could control my entire listening experience from the palm of my hand. 
Since the introduction of the iphone Conductor app I can count one one hand how many times I’ve used my iPad for Conductor. 
it’s a better and bigger interface, but it lacks the convenience of my iPhone which basically never leaves my side:)
 

[The Computer Audiophile]

18 minutes ago, agladstone said:

That is an amazing feature! I wonder if they will incorporate that feature for additional brands in the future. It would be so convenient (as you’re already experiencing) because that would mean I could control my entire listening experience from the palm of my hand. 
Since the introduction of the iphone Conductor app I can count one one hand how many times I’ve used my iPad for Conductor. 
it’s a better and bigger interface, but it lacks the convenience of my iPhone which basically never leaves my side:)
 

It really is great. 
 

If components have RS232 ports or accept this communication over USB, then it’s possible if Aurender enables it. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

22 minutes ago, agladstone said:

That is an amazing feature! I wonder if they will incorporate that feature for additional brands in the future. It would be so convenient (as you’re already experiencing) because that would mean I could control my entire listening experience from the palm of my hand. 
Since the introduction of the iphone Conductor app I can count one one hand how many times I’ve used my iPad for Conductor. 
it’s a better and bigger interface, but it lacks the convenience of my iPhone which basically never leaves my side:)
 

Here’s a look at it on iPhone. 
 

[agladstone]

I’m jealous! 

[robmoores1]

Good afternoon. 

 

I suspect this question has been asked before but I thought I would ask it again. I am looking to pick up an Aurender N100H and my only concern is potential mechanical noise from the HDD. 

 

I used to have an Innuos Zen Mini and my biggest frustration - and the reason I ended up selling it - was the noise from the unit as it seems to need to access the HDD constantly. 

 

I know that Aurender units use an SSD to cache music ready to play but whilst it is going through this process is it particularly noisy? 

 

Thanks. 

[Anonamemouse]

6 minutes ago, robmoores1 said:

Good afternoon. 

 

I suspect this question has been asked before but I thought I would ask it again. I am looking to pick up an Aurender N100H and my only concern is potential mechanical noise from the HDD. 

 

I used to have an Innuos Zen Mini and my biggest frustration - and the reason I ended up selling it - was the noise from the unit as it seems to need to access the HDD constantly. 

 

I know that Aurender units use an SSD to cache music ready to play but whilst it is going through this process is it particularly noisy? 

 

Thanks. 

A solid state drive produces no sound whatsoever and barely any heat. It also is MUCH faster than a regular hard disk. 

Unfortunately they are also quite a bit more expensive.

[Vincent1234]

1 hour ago, robmoores1 said:

Good afternoon. 

 

I suspect this question has been asked before but I thought I would ask it again. I am looking to pick up an Aurender N100H and my only concern is potential mechanical noise from the HDD. 

 

I used to have an Innuos Zen Mini and my biggest frustration - and the reason I ended up selling it - was the noise from the unit as it seems to need to access the HDD constantly. 

 

I know that Aurender units use an SSD to cache music ready to play but whilst it is going through this process is it particularly noisy? 

 

Thanks. 

I guess your question involves possible noise while the harddisk is spinning to transfer data to the SSD. I have owned several Aurenders (X100L, N10, W20) and have never been able to audibly detect the harddisk spinning. The harddisk is very well damped inside the device. I haven't used the N100H myself, so maybe owners of that model can chime in. I would expect a similar outcome.