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Aurender Model Choices

Before I ask my question let me provide some context.

My system includes the following:

New MacBook Air Running itunes/Music serving hundreds of stored CDs

Macbook connected to my Benchmark DAC3 via Audioquest Coffee USB Cable

DAC balanced connection to Benchmark HPA4 PreAmp

PreAmp balanced connection to Benchmark ABH2 Amp

Benchmark Amp connected to Harbeth C7es-XD Speakers

This configuration has provided a neutral clean, and balanced sound. Really no complaints. However I wanted to add Streaming. So I Signed up for Qobuz and downloaded the App to my MacBook. Using WiFi I found that the Qobuz stream offered superior sound quality to my local CD library. Even Redbook CD quality was better plus the HiRes albums were really good

So now I need to get a dedicated Streamer. Using the MacBook is not convenient and from what I’ve read a Streamer should offer additional SQ enhancement. I’ve done a lot of research and really like the Aurender products plus when I recently purchased my speakers I auditioned them with an Aurender Model 100. The sound was excellent. I plan to go back in a few weeks to audition the $6k N200 model. I’m sure it will sound very good but I will be left wondering what does the N20 sound like? How much better can it be for another $6K? Unfortunately my dealer doesn’t have one to audition and neither does any other dealer near me. I’ve read comments on several forums that the N20 is twice as good as the N200 or that the N200 is nipping at the heals of the N20 or that the N20 just offers a 20% increase in SQ or the N20 blows the N200 out of the water. Without a side by side audition I’m struggling with paying twice the price without a demonstrable and significant SQ improvement. I would expect a SQ that once heard I could never settle for the less expensive model. In my recent experience a more expensive model does’t always win. When buying my speakers I auditioned the Harbeth C7es-XD and the more expensive 30.2 XD model. After almost an hour of back and forth I preferred the lower priced model.

So to conclude has anyone had the opportunity to audition the N20 and N200 together?

If so please Specifically what if any SQ differences did you hear and were they worth an additional $6k?

As I listen to my system streaming from my MacBook with wonderfully smooth, clean HiRes sound  I wonder can I actually get significantly more improvement for $6k or $12K?

Thanks for any info and experiences you can provide.

jfrmusic
hgeifman
2,113 posts
 

More info:

The SSD Disk installation means you loosen the screws on the back of the unit, pull out the slot, insert the SSD, push in and tighten the screws (top slot is Music1). After I installed the SSD, I went to the Conductor App, settings, disk information tab to format the SSD. If, for some reason, the format command does not appear, please power down (turn electrical power off) and restart manually. Restarting takes time since the N20has UPS circuitry inside.

I checked for software updates on the N20 (there were none) and deleted my old Conductor App and installed a new copy from the App Store on my iPad. Once your albums have been loaded to the Aurender Hard Drive, please back them up to an external hard drive. DO NOT FORGET THIS IMPORTANT STEP.

NOTE:  "In the Conductor app, go to Settings>Backup & Restore>Backup to Music1/backup. This will create a small backup file which contains your library database information including playlists, ratings, settings, and streaming "add to library" content. This backup file will be saved to your Aurender's Music1 internal storage drive in a folder named "backup." NOTE: this file does NOT contain any actual music files. It is only the library directory database".  Maybe ask your retailer for more information.  

jfrmusic OP
159 posts
 

@hgeifman 

 

Thanks for all the information. Very much appreciated. Aurender has list of recommended SSD drives on their site. I got one of the Samsung units. I did speak to Vince about the word clock cable he said no specific recommendation. Said to experiment. I asked Vince if there were any strings I needed to make to use the clock. He said no. It will automatically sense it. So you’re saying there is a setting in the app I need to address to use the clock out?

hgeifman
2,113 posts
 

@jfrmusic,


Word Clock Mode (N20/N30/W20/W20SE Only)

Word Clock is automatically turned on when a word clock signal is detected on the BNC input. When Word Clock mode is on, the SPDIF output will synchronize with the word clock signal.

For 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 kHz sampling rate music, 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 kHz word clock or a 22.5792 MHz master clock signal are valid.

For 48, 96 and 192 kHz sampling rate music. 48, 96 and 192 kHz word clock or a 24.576 MHz master clock signal are valid.

Click here for Conductor app settings

please see Conductor App settings since I think something has to be turned on. This might be different between V3 and V4.  Please verify by looking at the App’s settings.  

Post removed 
polyrhythm9
5 posts
 

I used an N200 for about a year and then upgraded to the N20 (initially used with AES connection to Chord DAVE DAC).

The first thing I noticed was a larger soundstage-both wider and deeper compared to the N200.  Instruments sound a bit more natural as well.  With the AES connection on the N20, I also noticed that the top end was a bit recessed though-compared to using the USB connection with N200 into Chord DAVE DAC. .

So, based on a recommendation to use the Optical (toslink) connection from the N20 to the DAC, I heard MUCH  more air and top end.   This was a SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE- and sounds much, much better to my ears- better as in an entirely different unit. The kicker is that it was also recommended that using an inexpensive toslink cable (fiber optic cable) from Amazon - less than 10 dollars- would be fine.  And it is!  The N20 sound quality is now excellent.  

I'm still a bit shocked how much of a difference the Optical (toslink) connection makes with the N20 to Chord DAVE DAC compared to using a much more expensive AES cable.   

I highly recommend trying this method of connection if possible. 

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