Article: Aurender A30 Full Review

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

It seems to me that someone ripping a large CD collection would run into longevity problems with the CD drive much sooner than anything else will go wrong with the device.

For large collections I’d use the Nimbie autoloader that works with the A30. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

7 minutes ago, dwpc said:

This may not be the appropriate place to ask or indeed an appropriate inquiry but here goes. Just bought a new home and my potential listening room is similar to yours. Would love to know your room dimensions and the provider of the acoustic paneling. Thank you.

Check out the first part of my new room articles and the comments. I touch on everything. The acoustics are also listed in my associated equipment at the end of this review (above). 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 hours ago, Doak said:

Built like the proverbial brick outhouse and knowing Aurender I expect it is operationally just as solid. 

Nice review. 

You took the words right out my mouth, but I just couldn't get myself to write "brick outhouse" in the review. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

29 minutes ago, coot said:

So you did not compare SQ of A30 mated to the dCS with the W20/dCS?

Correct, and here's why.

 

The A30 is meant for analog output. I don't recommend buying it for digital out to another DAC like dCS or whatever manufacturer/model. It has a single USB output for digital. Aurender has other models specifically designed for digital out, such as the W20. 

 

The W20 connected to the dCS Rossini versus the A30 connected to the Rossini wouldn't be a fair contest. Right now I have the W20 connected to the Rossini via dual AES and the Rossini is sending word clock to the W20. The A30 just doesn't have these features.