Aurender integrated streamer/DACs

@mhwilliford I am an authorized dealer and have compared the A15 against a the N200 with a few different DACs, as the A15 is essentially the N200 with a DAC onboard. Please take what I say with a grain of salt because 1) I am a dealer and 2) My standards are very, very high in terms of reference level.

I would say that if you would plan to connect the A15 into a preamp, it is a STELLAR unit. My favorite combo to demo for people that is near endgame for the price is the Aurender N200 ($6K) and the T+A DAC 200 ($6.9K). This combination punches very high for a combined $12.9K retail, and one may have to spend double to best it. This considering, the A15 gets very close at $8K retail, and if using the DAC at line level, I would easily equate it to a ~$4-6K DAC. Compared to the N200 + DAC 200 combo, the A15 has a little less body, a less wide soundstage, and tonal balance is a bit higher very slightly. The A15’s clarity is overall excellent, but it’s organic delivery falls a bit behind of the separates. The differences are minor but quickly noticeable. Whether it is worth the $5K difference in retail price will depend on the individual. I’ve had a few customers say the difference is worth it, and others that say it isn’t. It tends to come down to the overall investment level one already has in their system and the affinity they have for an integrated vs separate digital solution.

I would say that if you plan to use the A15 direct to an amp, the preamp stage and sonics of the digital attenuator is where it falls short of being premium, but that’s where the A20 better excels.

In short, the A15 is a very strong performer for its price point.

Oh, and an Aurender N200 blows most Roon cores that run $1-3K out of the water. It all comes down to the robustness of the power supply, quality and effectiveness of isolation, and clocking, where most Roon cores sacrifice all three.

@mhwilliford If you can afford an N20, go for it. The N200 is excellent, but the N20 is a level above and delivers with much more body and smoothness on top of the great clarity the N200 brings. The N20 is near endgame, and you have to listen critically to discern the differences with the doubly expensive N30SA, which is exceptional by bringing even more clarity and larger soundstage.

For the DAC, I have highly recommended T+A as I have in the past, but I am curious about the DSD MK II as I used to own the fully modded MK I. That said, the DAC 200 is leagues above the DSD MK I. I haven’t heard the DAC 200 and DSD MK II side by side.

I would forego the Bartok. I find it to be a bit closer to the analytical side, and you may be paying for features you will not use (built in streamer).

Take this with a grain of salt as I am an authorized dealer for Aurender and T+A, but I am an audiophile first and chose to carry these brands for a reason and owned equipment from them prior to becoming a dealer.