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Streamer upgrade? follow up.

I posted the first part of this earlier in the week. There are a few other threads running concurrently here about this same subject.This is my personal experience with this situation.Ive been using a Aurender A100 streamer/dac which is they’re entry level unit, the SQ wasn’t horrible but I was pretty sure I could get it better.In a attempt to do that I purchased a Denafrips Pontus two and a DhLabs Mirage Usb cable to use with the A100 utilizing its Usb out.The two local hi fi dealers here in SO Cal both told me this would not produce much of an result and in my opinion after trying it they were both correct. So… as I stated in the first post I was coming from a “bit is bits” perspective which was I was convinced adding a better Dac would accomplish my goals, I just couldn’t believe that the zeros and ones  could possibly effect the quality of sound. But not being one to give up I decided in for penny in for a pound Id see for myself if there was anything to the other side of this conversation, I wanted a new toy for Xmas anyway.So I traded my A100 plus some cash to TMR ( nice people btw) for a shiny new Aurender N200 which arrived yesterday. Last night the moment of truth, I hooked up the new unit with the exact same everything as before in my system nothing different but the streamer.I let the tubes and everything else warm up for a few hours,picked a song I knew inside and out sat down and pressed play. Immediately within the first few notes of the Stones “ Wild Horses “ I knew I had made the right choice and that I was wrong believing  bits are bits “. I really don’t have adequate language to describe the difference in sound quality other than to say I feel like Im in someone else’s home listening to they’re far superior system, its that drastic.I can with complete confidence say this has got to be one of if not the most significant upgrades Ive made in my system, scouts honor!              PS. Grinin ear to ear here.                                                            

bikeboy52
fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
753 posts
 

@bikeboy52  First of all congrats on your Pontus II and N200. Coincidentally I am on the same quest as you. But, I already have the Venus II DAC as my foundation. I was pondering to either upgrade that to the Terminaor II or +, or to get the Aurender N200 first to upgrade my Cambridge CXN V2. Well your review has convinced me that the N200 is next man up! Thank you for this and enjoy your rig. Any power cords or cabling you can share as well that you are using with the Aurender? Coax or USB?

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@fthompson251 

I was pondering to either upgrade that to the Terminaor II or +, or to get the Aurender N200 first to upgrade my Cambridge CXN V2. Well your review has convinced me that the N200 is next man up! Thank you

Good move!

Charles

 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,180 posts
 

@bikeboy52

Next move, optimizing the Ethernet signal if you haven’t already done so. Please share, how’s your N200 is connected to modem or router including cabling. Thank you!

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,580 posts
 

I optically isolated my digital gear cheaply and effectively by using TP Link' s 2210MP Jetstream switch and two MC220L Media Converters with SFP fiber optic Converters  One for my Vault 2i and one for my Aurender N200.    Cost around $250 for everything.  Under $200 if you isolate one device.  

I originally got a pair of the MC220L but needed a better switch so picked up the 2210MP switch and used a media converter for each networked music player .

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,180 posts
 

@oddiofyl

Thanks for chiming in with your ethernet optimization. There are quite a ways to skin the cat, as long as one is open to trying. Personally I found fiber, while effective in lowering noise didn’t sound fuller and organic. To my ears, through fiber optic kit the sound became less engaging and musical when compared to all copper Ethernet cables plus ENO filter kit. I try to not clutter my space so other than ENO (at the time) delivering more immersive experience, I really appreciated the passive approach without the need for multiple PSU’s. Both ENO and Muon passive filters offers amazing sonic upgrades, albeit at higher cost but totally worth it in my opinion.

There is another upgrade, which is not talked about enough here. N200 comes with  Earth/Ground Terminal. Connecting this terminal to an external ground box like Entreq grounding box further lowers the noise floor yielding to more relaxed and organic flow of music. 

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