aurender n10 or....?


I run a lynx card sets/ebu to Berkeley dac (original version. Not even use) to some ancient jrdg mono amps (thx Guido!) to a pair of audio physic scorpios.
I have grown frustrated with my homemade pc server and its penchant for dieing on my every 12mos or so. Soooo I am thinking of joining the rest of the world and picking up a more reliable way to get data to the Berkeley. I love my tidal and given my connectivity needs (aes/ebu) i was thinking I'd look at the aurender n10. Anyone have any other suggestions for my short list? The n10 at $8k is at the top end of what I would like to spend. Well, actually it is 2x what I would like to spend but if it is as good as I am told I'll sell some plasma.
thx!!!
jimmy3993
My Aurender N10 Music Server is a welcomed addition to my audio system.  My audio system sounds more open, more natural, clearer, better bass and I am very happy I purchased the unit. The ability to switch back and forth between Tidal music streaming and my stored albums in the App is now a very easy process (one mouse click).  The Aurender iPAD app is much easier to use than my MAC Book Pro computer.  Album selection is also excellent with several different album selection choices available.  The Aurender N10 Music Sever is highly recommended for its great sound quality and ease of use.  I agree the Aurender N10 Music Serve is expensive but its features, ease of use, customer service and sound quality are worth the extra funds. 


I can easily switch back and forth between my stored albums and Tidal Streaming. The Aurender iPAD interface is very easy to use.   My Aurender N10 is connected to a Bricasti M1 SE DAC and Hypex NCore NC400 Bridged Mono Block class D Power Amplifiers.  

The combination of its sound quality and its ease of use using the iPad makes the Aurender N10 an amazing piece.  I also love using Tidal and it is very easy to use on the Aurender.

For more details, please see my other pst on Audiogon:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mac-book-pro-computer-vs-aurender-n100h-vs-aurender-n10-music...

I hope this above helps.  Please contact me if you have any more questions.



Thank athanor hgeifman. I had read your other post. Seems like you had some early bugs with yours. Everything running smoothly now? To me, having the thing "just work" is a high priority. Better sound than my current setup would be a bonus but honestly isn't expected.

My Aurender N10 worked perfectly after I loaded my albums and connected it to Tidal.  I was able to play all my stored albums and albums from Tidal but my stored albums (AIFF format) were MISSING their cover art.

My local dealer sent a Tech to my home to solve the problem.  We discovered that iTunes stores the cover art in an encrypted and hidden file that was NOT COPIED to the Aurender.  We found and ran Doug's Scripts ($1.99) that placed the album cover art in the correct album file location.  We then deleted all files on the Aurender and copied everything over again. Again, the cover art was not displayed.

After the Tech left, I immediately called Aurender Customer Support who said Doug's Scripts has two versions and we selected the wrong script.  I re-ran the correct Doug's Script version that stores the album cover art in the correct file location AND NAMES it "folder.jpg".  I deleted all the files on the Aurender, again, and copied everything over again.  My cover art was included and was displayed correctly on my iPad.  Everything worked perfectly.  Please see:

 http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=savealbumartjpeg

I am a huge fan of Tidal and prefer my albums be in artist sequence and they were not.  I emailed Aurender Customer Support and requested they upgrade their software to provide this artist sort sequence capability.  The last Aurender software release included this sort feature and I was very happy.   

My Aurender N10 continues to work perfectly and sounds terrific.  Their customer support is terrific.   As you already know, setting up a computer, like the MAC Book Pro, or the Aurender Music Server, like the N10, sometimes may require some extra work.   In the case of my Aurender N10, I had problems with the missing album cover art but was able to get the problem resolved.   I have had no other problems with my Aurender N10.

As I have stated above, the Aurender N10 is a wonderful music server, easy to use and I highly recommend it.  



Please remember the Aurender cover art image files MUST BE CODED as Folder.JPG and included in the same folder as the album songs.  Doug's Scripts "Save Album Art as folder.jpg” script ($1.99) handles this for iTunes on the MAC.   Please verify that you are using the correct Doug's Script version that saves the cover art as Folder.JPG. 

Unfortunately, if you are running a PC, some other computer or software other than iTunes,  you need to check your source album files to determine where the album cover art is stored.   If it is stored in the same folder as the album songs AND coded as Folder.JPG, you are okay.  If this is not the case, you need to determine how to convert your album cover art to be stored and coded correctly.   I suggest a phone call to your dealer, and/or Aurender Customer Support, to discuss your options is suggested.  

If someone else has a solution to using a PC, please post your recommendations here.  Thanks. 
jimmy

I love my new Melco N1. Retail is 2K stores 2 terabytes and accommodates  external storage as well as cloud storage. 

Below is a link to a review on the Melco that goes into much more detail about it please call me if you would like additional information. 

http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/melco-ha-n1a-part-1

Hopefully I would get hate mail for bringing up a product that I sell. If you do send hate mail can you address it to my X wife please.