Aurender integrated streamer/DACs

@soix & @lalitk 

Good discussion. I think we are all saying about the same thing.in general, separates are better. It is likely the OP could benefit from a sea parade… but I don’t think any of us could categorically be sure.

OP, definitely allow it to break in. The nuances we are talking about are likely pretty small. Spend one serious time with it… if it doesn’t blow away the Bluesound… then go for the N200 with a good quality DAC and you will never look back. I am sure we can help coach you on the DAC… if it comes to that… but I doubt it will.

Hello people. Thank you for all your help so far. 

Aurender people looked into it and found out that my software did not detect Tidal Master quality, only HiFi. Once they updated the software and I could download the highest quality, the life came back into the system. Sound stage expanded and high end came up. 

I do not know if I love it quite yet, but I definitely see an improvement vs BlueSound. Much less fatiguing, warmer sound, especially in the mid. I am going to play it on repeat for a week and hopefully this will make it sound even better. 

As far as the separates are concerned, it seems that the price for N200 and A200 is very similar, in which case I can do this at any future point.

Very nice discussion!  So many of us have been there, starting with a Node.

I did, and then started upgrading the DAC.  I was not even streamer focused at this time, and I had Roon on a Nucleus+.

So Node > PS Audio DS > Auralic Vega 2 > Tambaqui

(FWIW I found the DS most disappointing)

Boom.  I was there. I heard every improvement along the way and love the resolution and lifelike qualities of the Tambaqui.  All of these DAC's have a built in streamer.

But of course then the streamer. I Think this is the right order to go.  And, if you have Roon on another source and like it, then easy to stay that way through other DAC's.

Now enter the streamer idea.  You may be happy with a fine DAC with internal streamer, and as stated, the A series may not be it.  You are paying for the streamer end I think with Aurender, which I hear is great.  The idea that you can later add a better DAC to the A series just leaves you with a non optimized component again.

My steamer path went Auralic Aries G2 > same with upgraded power supply (better) > Grimm MU1 (great and does Roon Core).

Boom.  Again.  Except now I am demoing the XACT S1 FROM JCAT.  Wow. Disturbingly good. No Roon.  Sounds amazing.....to be continued!

@gsomin : I know those Linn interconnects, I had a pair. Gave them away. I'd recommend that you do the same and buy proper cables, you system deserves much better than those Linn cheapies and trust me, the difference CAN be drastic. IMO, YMMV etc.

what do you consider to be proper cables?