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Aurender N10 and audiophile network devices

I’m new to computer audio but not new to high-end, so far I have been more traditional kind of guy.

I have decent turntable ( modded SME 20/2 ), decent heavily modified Tascam R2R, and heavily modified CDP AudioAero MKII.

My CDP does not sound that good like SME or tape but it is listenable and on good quality recording can sound pretty decent.

But since we have XXI already going for years, I have decided to give computer audio a try.

 

So after reading too many threads on different computer audio guru sites I have decided on Aurender N10.

It was supposed to be first Aurender which can sound better then CDP (enough for me), I do not expect digital to sound like analog.

I have bought for it Shunyata Zitron Alpha Digital decent SPIDF Tara Labs RS-1 cable to make it happy.

 

And here comes my surprise, it sounds flat, gray, only hi-res sound better on level with CD. My wife not an audiophile said it sound very boring.

I have invited audio buddies and we did blind tested my CDP and Aurender, nothing to compare CDP wins in spades.

N10  sounds much better when streaming from Tidal (go figure).

Sound from CD is much fuller, stronger has impact, sound from Aurendeer is very resolving but gray , thin sounding. Very uninviting.

To say that I’m disappointed is understatement. My other friend has another media server but it sound even  worse then Aurednder, 

So it is not generic to Aurender but to technology ?

As DAC I’m using internal AudioAero DAC. So basically I’m comparing Aurender transport vs AudioAero Transport. The some music (ripped CD to wav vs CD)

 

And one of my knowledgeable friends, told me that his acquaintance had the some problem, bought media server and was very disappointed, but instead of falling into despair he started looking for solution.

To control Aurender one need some wifi router. He changed power adapter of that router with some good quality lineal PSU (big change).

 

I have found on computer audio sites that connecting NAS and media servers to separate switch connected to router helps.

But it will not work for Aurender I have to control it using Aurender app so I need wifi router.

 

So buying i.e. AQVOX Audiophile High-End Gigabit will not work for AUrender. Does anybody have any advice what would help it make it more alive, sound bigger more colorful.

I’m not used to such thin and gray sound.

I’m cannot get how getting better PSU to some hifi router can help (it is just for controlling app),

How connecting NAS using expensive ethernet cables can help, Aurednder is streaming from internal HDD’s .

 

But I’m open for suggestions from somebody who owns AUrender or like and had similar problem and contrary to me have found satisfactory solution.

Thank you for reading.

Regards


sorlowski
sorlowski OP
236 posts
 
Steve thank you for your comment.

 I'm newbie when it comes to digital, so 
First question: how expensive Ethernet cables can help in case of Aurender N10 (even Aurender support doubt that)  playing from internal drives ? INO only SPIDF cable can matter.
Yes, I believe Ethernet cables could help when streaming from Tidal (we have not tested it).


Second question, to use Aurender controlling app one have to use wifi router hence there is no use case for  AQVOX Switch ?

sorlowski OP
236 posts
 

Stereophile Dec 2018

ATC CDA2 MK2 review Ken Micallef

"Going from physical CD to ripped files is like switching vinyl out for digital, but with edges polished and dynamics truncated. The sound was very good overall, including from DSD files, but it lacked the visceral grip of CDs through the ATC's transport. I did't stay here long."


Seems that I not the only one who have noticed that good CD transport can beat easily ripped files.

For me the biggest loss was of colors, palpability dynamics. 
My friend electronics engineer is working on N10, in month or so, I should have it back with first mod. He says that it is going to be more alive but will not much AudioAero.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
First question: how expensive Ethernet cables can help in case of Aurender N10 (even Aurender support doubt that) playing from internal drives ? INO only SPIDF cable can matter.
Yes, I believe Ethernet cables could help when streaming from Tidal (we have not tested it).

If you are primarily using S/PDIF coax from the Aurender, then I recommend trying a Synchro-Mesh reclocker and my Reference cable.  Drive the SM with your digital cable.  The issue is jitter.  Even a SONOs with the Synchro-Mesh reclocking the S/PDIF output is impossible to beat.  Money-Back, less shipping on the SM.

Second question, to use Aurender controlling app one have to use wifi router hence there is no use case for  AQVOX Switch ?

True, not if you are using WIFI.  Also, it sounds like you are only controlling the playback using WIFI, not streaming the data over the network.  All you need to do is solve the S/PDIF jitter issue.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
FYI, every transport I have heard is not as good as my computer audio playback.  That's why there is no longer a CD transport in my rack and why I never use them at shows.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
4425
861 posts
 
interesting thread. my n10 with my two dacs sounds spectacular and a total joy to use. i disagree that ripped cd’s sound inferior to the hard cd. i don’t think anyone would be disappointed with my basic(but expensive) digital setup. i never miss vinyl. ever.
also aurender assistance is incredible. 
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