$8k Aurender N10 audio performance for lower cost?

James Romeyn

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2017
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Does there exist any single box player/server that equals the N10's audio performance for significantly lower cost? If yes, please list make/model.

I have at my disposal a very high end pure analog balanced preamp. Tidal compatibility is mandatory.

TIA.
 
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C.A.P

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2010
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People get stuck on the DSD train.. Take that file out and you have more options DSD represents 1% of the HiRES files.. Having a pre amp DAC and server in one unit is a lot to pack into one box.. Kind of reminds me of my old Krell KPS 25sc which was a Class A pre, DAC and CD player and let me tell you it wasn't fun as when one part of the puzzle goes bad the unit is down.. I went specifically with a separate Pre and a server that does 196/24 and internet radio as I don't want tidal and DSD is not to my ears that superior to a good WAV file

I use a Krell connect which is connected to a NAS server
 

asiufy

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Jul 8, 2011
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ro7939,

The Aurender N10 is just a server, you'd still need a DAC. Do you have one already?
If a server is all you want, at a lower cost, you can check out the Innuos line (http://innuos.com). Their products start at $1300 and the top of the line Zenith is $3300 with SSD drives.
They work as a pure file server on the network, or as a USB-connected Roon server/player.


cheers,
alex
 

James Romeyn

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2017
13
16
110
ro7939,

The Aurender N10 is just a server, you'd still need a DAC. Do you have one already?
No. I'm more concerned about the server/player than the DAC. I shall spend more on the former, intending to keep it longer than the latter. Not critical whether the server/player has onboard HD/SSD.

If a server is all you want, at a lower cost, you can check out the Innuos line (http://innuos.com). Their products start at $1300 and the top of the line Zenith is $3300 with SSD drives. They work as a pure file server on the network, or as a USB-connected Roon server/player.

Alex,
Thanks. Do you have reason to believe either approximates the N10's audio performance?
 
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Elberoth

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Dec 15, 2012
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What do you mean by 'N10's audio performance' ? USB Audio out ?
 

James Romeyn

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2017
13
16
110
What do you mean by 'N10's audio performance' ? USB Audio out ?

Yes. The AB system employed superb DAC and power amps (estimate $30k+ total) > large current Wilson speakers in appropriate room. The AB system revealed that the N10's USB output provided significantly better audio performance v. the N100's USB output.

Cheers.

James
 

Elberoth

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Dec 15, 2012
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I'm testing right now the following combo:

SOtM sMS-200 endpoint ($450) + Jcat USB Isolator ($400) + Wyred 4 Sound Recovery ($200) USB regenerator unit
2x UpTone Audio LPS-1 Supercapacitor PSU ($340) - one for SOtM sMS-200 and one for Wyred 4 Sound Recovery
UpTone Audio JS-2 linear PSU ($900) - powering both LPS-1 units

I don't have the Aurender W20 on hand anymore, but I feel they beat the W20 in terms of SQ and convinience (Roon beats all music management apps in my book). The total cost of this combo is ~$2700, not including a PC/Mac needed to run Roon and possibly a NAS to store the music.
 

bonzo75

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Feb 26, 2014
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I'm testing right now the following combo:

SOtM sMS-200 endpoint ($450) + Jcat USB Isolator ($400) + Wyred 4 Sound Recovery ($200) USB regenerator unit
2x UpTone Audio LPS-1 Supercapacitor PSU ($340) - one for SOtM sMS-200 and one for Wyred 4 Sound Recovery
UpTone Audio JS-2 linear PSU ($900) - powering both LPS-1 units

I don't have the Aurender W20 on hand anymore, but I feel they beat the W20 in terms of SQ and convinience (Roon beats all music management apps in my book). The total cost of this combo is ~$2700, not including a PC/Mac needed to run Roon and possibly a NAS to store the music.

Thanks this is exactly what many are waiting for
 

James Romeyn

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2017
13
16
110
I'm testing right now the following combo:

SOtM sMS-200 endpoint ($450) + Jcat USB Isolator ($400) + Wyred 4 Sound Recovery ($200) USB regenerator unit
2x UpTone Audio LPS-1 Supercapacitor PSU ($340) - one for SOtM sMS-200 and one for Wyred 4 Sound Recovery
UpTone Audio JS-2 linear PSU ($900) - powering both LPS-1 units

I don't have the Aurender W20 on hand anymore, but I feel they beat the W20 in terms of SQ and convinience (Roon beats all music management apps in my book). The total cost of this combo is ~$2700, not including a PC/Mac needed to run Roon and possibly a NAS to store the music.

Thank you very much. That's exactly the kind of reply I desired. Do you suspect the N10 and W20 have similar audio performance?

On the one hand that's a high number of pieces to replace one server/player, but more than reasonable considering the value and audio excellence.
 

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