Exile-Ken-I have both the Aurender and Aries. I originally purchased the Aries for my main system Audio Research components driving ProAc speakers and really liked the sound and user friendly features. Lightning DS is a great feature because I can use it on my iphone and ipad. Access to my music files is seamless also.
Then, visiting my local audio shop, I heard the Aurender played through my system and realized how much better it is in my system. The sound appeals to me because it is CD quality-dynamic, detailed, great extension top to bottom, front to back, side to side. Also, the conductor app is great. It sets up in a snap and there is very short wait time to access music files.
What I’ve learned having both of these is the following-
Aries is a great server at its price point if your music system/components are price point proportional. I kept the Aries, for now, and am using it in my bedroom system, which is a Cayin 50T driving a pair of Audio Physic speakers.
If you have spent a lot of money to assemble a system that has the most/best sound qualities you aspire for, then purchasing an Aurender is worth it. And as others have said the N100 does come up for sale for under 2K. And when they do, they sell quickly.
Hope my comments are helpful.
Then, visiting my local audio shop, I heard the Aurender played through my system and realized how much better it is in my system. The sound appeals to me because it is CD quality-dynamic, detailed, great extension top to bottom, front to back, side to side. Also, the conductor app is great. It sets up in a snap and there is very short wait time to access music files.
What I’ve learned having both of these is the following-
Aries is a great server at its price point if your music system/components are price point proportional. I kept the Aries, for now, and am using it in my bedroom system, which is a Cayin 50T driving a pair of Audio Physic speakers.
If you have spent a lot of money to assemble a system that has the most/best sound qualities you aspire for, then purchasing an Aurender is worth it. And as others have said the N100 does come up for sale for under 2K. And when they do, they sell quickly.
Hope my comments are helpful.