Upgrading streamer transport Lumin U2X Vs. Aurender N20

If you are going to use Coax etc. then you need the best clock possible in the streamer and a premium cable.  I ended up putting 95% $$ into the DAC, 5% into the streamer!  Perhaps extreme but it works for me.

In general the optical plastic S/PDIF is is to be avoided unless you are in a noisy EMF environment.  AT&T glass seems to have disappeared, 25 years ago that was the ultimate connection.

Upper end Aurenders have first class clocks and they recommend Coax over USB; but that depends on the DAC. Often, only USB supports hi-res DSD streams, that is a limitation in some DACs.

Google the following:

what protocol is used by async USB connection to dac

it is an excellent technical description of the process, and explains why a well engineered USB DAC is insensitive to the data source.  Its summary:

"This asynchronous approach is why many audiophiles prefer USB DACs over optical/coaxial, as it significantly reduces timing errors (jitter) for better sound quality. "

I can recommend Aurender and Berkley being a good match.  My previous system was the Aurender N20 going into a Berkeley Reference 3 via AES. The sound was dynamic and clean.  Drums had snap.  Music was never bright.  Kept the Aurender N20 and changed to a Nagra Tube DAC. Nagra is more laid back.  There are times I wish I had the Berkeley in the stable.  Good luck with your decision. 

In the 13.5 range you might consider a Grimm MU1. Here's one for 9K.  "Internal Roon Server and recent upgrade allows it to work with Tidal Connect and DNLA/UPnP."

I just want to second Audiovicker - I am a retired Chemist - not a EE - I chose to use LUMIN over 10 years ago. I own a LUMIN T2 and another LUMIN D2 in two separate systems in my home. My sound quality via my Krell SS integrated amps pushing my Maggie's (Peter Gunned 1.6qrs and 1.7is) is amazing to this day. I also have had great service from LUMIN (I abused my T2 initially and it was repaired under warranty at no cost to me except for shipping. The upgrades from LUMIN are constant and seamless.

Merry Christmas and Happy listening!

i've not heard the aurender N20, but i will say this about the Lumin u2x which i own:

1) use USB out, no other conneciton sounds as good

2) turn off ALL unnecessary settings

3) do NOT use the Lumin app as it sounds terrible. JPlay has clearly better sonics (i've not tried roon)

4) take proper care of networking ahead of the lumin (no SMPS, best case is an optical stage into the Lumin)

provided the following, the u2X is at parity with my Jays Cd3mk2 transport. streaming has finally caught up at a reasonable price.