DAC for Aurender N200


For past 2 years I have been running Aurender N200 into Musical Fidelity M6s DAC. The DAC is built like a tank and very versatile, but I must connect via coax since Aurender clock is superior to DAC clock.
Well, I am ready to upgrade DAC for SQ reasons and presently inclining to PSAudio MkII for US mfr, good reviews, good service, current bargain price.
Q1: What DAC (<$8k) would you consider an optimal match for the N200?
Q2: N200 has very few outputs compared with other streamers in its price class.
I know Aurender has always inclined to USB. All else being equal, is USB the best output?

 

hickamore

@soix actually AES/EBU is best with N20. N200 only has coax and USB and the latter definitely sounds better.
I ran the N200 with PS Audio DSD MkI, Chord Hugo TT2 and Bricasti M3.
Love the Bricasti DAC.
You can pair the N200 with a lot of good DACs out there.
Used Bricasti M1S2 or even M21 if you’re lucky on a used market.
For PS Audio DSD MkII I would keep an eye on TMR website as they get used PS components frequently. I like PS Audio but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
@fthompson251 just paired his N200 with the latest Denaftips Terminator and he’s impressed. May be he’ll chime in.

FWIW I am running my N200 with USB to a Denafrips Hermes/Terminator 15th combo and it is a really good combo. I like R2R dacs. I also like the option to use the I2s connection as wells as the clock sync function. The Terminator is a huge DAC and very well made.

@soix Clocks are not as important for USB compared to the other connections. Also, the N200 only uses a TCXO clock and not an OCXO clock like the N20. Big difference!

The N200 has only USB and coax outputs. But I would like to use USB with a superior DAC and it sounds like used ARC DAC 9 would fit that bill. I have always aspired to  hear what an ARC piece would do in my (slowly evolving) system. Will be on lookout for a used DAC 9. Failing that, I gather T+A DAC 200, Denafrips Terminator (product support after Vinshine?), Bricasti, PS Audio might all provide a distinct improvement. Thanks to all for insights. Any other info welcome pending good luck on the used market.