Aurender's "Sound"

I run the Aurender N100H, along with Pass XA60.5's, XP-20, DEQX PreMate, Harbeth SHL5+'s and a PS Audio DirectStream for a DAC.  I ended up selling the XP-20, and I go direct from the N100 to my DAC.  It sounds organic and neutral, to me.  It's "lively" enough, but not forward leaning in any one category.  I tend to lean towards a warmer/neutral sound.

I use a DH Labs Mirage for a USB, Audioquest interconnects and speaker cables.  For power I use Shunyata cabling, along with a Nordost QX4 and QB8.  

FWIW, ultimately, I believe you've got to get the unit burnt in and go from there.  

Agree burn-in has to happen. Still ongoing. Hopefully make a difference. Going to play with cables as well. Thanks everyone.

@jaybe What speakers? What model Pass amp?

I had an Aurender N-10 for a bit; I really liked it and preferred the COAX connection to my DAC at that time; I found it be very neutral and organic, perhaps a tad soft. I think I understand your original dilemma; I would have kept it and experimented with different cables, as it was a gorgeous machine inside and out, but I ultimately missed Roon too much; 
Pass amps will basically take on the character of your other stuff in the system. I have found significant "warming" for instance with Wire World power cables and especially an Audience PC (did not like that); 
Cables can make or break your synergy; I have learned this lesson a few different times. Pass amps are pretty amazing and tough to "beat"; you can definitely get a different signature but again its probably much easier to change a cable here or there;
If you are using Audience cables on Pass try taking that off and use the original IEC cable Pass came with-- you might be surprised.
One more thing: when is the last time you cleaned/polished the contacts of speaker cable connections, and others (interconnects)? I found a very effective improvement by using Zu Audio cleaning products and even made the 12AWG copper all shiny again on the AC Romex ends connected to the receptacle. I was shocked by how much black-ish crud came off the exposed copper. restores top end shimmer significantly if you are finding any dullness. Consider doing it, you might be in for a real surprise. :)
Don't toss that Pass yet!

ATC speakers, neutral and revealing as can be. I regularly use Caig Deoxit products.

Isolation devices helped out a bit and have better ones on order. Got some USB cables on the way as well.

After about 125 hours either the server is changing for the better, or I am. Or both. It's getting interesting.

@erik_squires  

I've been thinking about the whole upsampling thing.

While it does not provide more data, it does change the behavior of the upper octave's filter, sometimes by a couple of dB. A significant, audible amount.

Native, bit perfect is far superior if you have a quality DAC.  I think you will start seeing upsampling disappearing from products over the next few years.  No one will want it while DACs improve.