Aurender N30SA or Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3


I have the Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3.  I have a lot of CDs but I also have made a lot of recordings from FLAC files bought on Presto and burned to CD-R.

I recently replaced the Philips CD Pro2 with a new one.  Now I notice that my Maxell CD-Rs are noisy in comparison to commercial CDs which are very quiet.

I bought a different brand of CD-R Verbatim and they are quiet like the commercial CDs.  Now I want to replace all the Maxell with the Verbatim and that is a lot of CD-Rs which I burn at 4X so it will take a long time.

So I considered getting an Aurender N30SA to play the FLAC files from the server.  I was hoping the sound quality would equal or be better than what I was getting from my burned CD-Rs played on the Jay's.

I asked AI which would sound better and got the following response (see below for a summary).  I know to be careful accepting what AI has to say and try to do more research to confirm.  What are your thoughts on what AI had to say?

I also found this thread where Brandonhifi likes his Jay's over his Aurender W20SE but he was streaming rather than playing the files from the server  https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/jay-s-audio-cdt3-mk3-wins-over-aurender-w20se/by_member?username=lordmelton  

AI 

So which one “sounds better”?

If the disc is perfect (AZO, Taiyo Yuden, MAM‑A Gold, or a flawless pressed CD):

➡️ Jay’s CDT3‑MK3 will sound more natural, more dimensional, more “live.” It has a drive and immediacy that even the N30SA can’t quite duplicate.

If the disc is average or flawed:

➡️ Aurender N30SA will sound cleaner, quieter, and more stable. It removes all mechanical variables and gives you a blacker background.

If the rip is bit‑perfect and the DAC is excellent:

➡️ N30SA will be more consistent and more neutral.

If you value “musicality,” “drive,” and “presence”:

➡️ CDT3‑MK3 wins with a great disc.

If you value “silence,” “precision,” and “effortlessness”:

➡️ N30SA wins every time.

 

Thanks, Kent

kent10

@kent10 you will be making a big mistake with N30SA and Holo DAC. You should focus on the DAC. For the same price if buying new you can get EMM Labs DV2i and you don’t need a separate streamer. 
https://emmlabs-meitner.com/products/dv2i

You also don’t need a preamp if you ate just running digital as a source  

There’s also MSB DAC with streaming module and several other DACs with similar features. You said you’re looking for advice. I’m giving you one. DAC will make the biggest difference in your case.

 

Thanks audphile1.  I do appreciate your advice.  I would be buying the N30SA and probably also the Holo May used.  The main attraction to Aurender for me is the server end to use all the files I have.  And the Conductor software.  I have never streamed except lower quality Spotify to see if I would like a performance.  Many of my files and CDs are not on Qubuz.  I'll keep looking at the EMM Labs to learn more about it.  

The Aurrender N30 is a world class streamer and would completely take you out of that market. I have had a Aurrender N20SE for years and it sound sounds as good as my outstanding vinyl front end. Choosing an appropriate DAC that reflects the sonic qualities you desire is also important.

One of the advantages of the N30 is it completely isolates you from network issues... like noise and distortion... so you can just plug it in and go. 

Update--I bought a used N30SA.  This has been a very difficult decision for me.  I have been thinking about the N30SA for quite some time, and I only wanted it if it would sound better than my Jay’s which has been giving me trouble lately.  I thought I would never need anything other than the Jay’s unless I wanted to get into streaming at some point.  Right now I have so many CD’s and downloads that I listen to over and over, many I haven’t listened to yet.

I considered what audphile1 suggested with for example a Mola Mola and Roon Nucleus but I suppose I have done so much reading on the N30SA that I had my heart set on that.

But I will upgrade my DAC eventually.  I have already started looking.  dwest1023 really likes his Holo May with Aurender so that sounds promising.  I was thinking of starting with the Holo May KTE and then upgrading later.  But why 2 steps.  I usually like to just buy once without continually upgrading.

I am thinking of the Mola Mola Tambaqui.  I might be able to swing it used at some point.  It has a quality streamer too so there is duplication.  I realize I could have saved by getting this and a Roon Nucleus as Audphile1 suggested.  Hmmmm.  I am still excited to have the Aurender and there is always the option to sell if I am not happy with something.

Thanks everyone!