There are a number of good DACs in your price range. Many people like the PSAudio. I would definitely recommend a used Audio Research Reference 9... it is more refined and detailed while remaining extremely musical. The ARC REF9 is an outstanding DAC an will get the best out of the N20 and N30 Aurrender streamers.
I am a big Aurrender fan. The entry level Aurrender streamers use USB only... I have a N100 on my headphone system. All the Aurrender streamer above entry level have coax and AES. On my main system I have a W20SE and use AES. I remember trying the coax and not finding any obvious differences in sound quality.
USB streamer output puts a larger amount of processing on the DAC. A simplified look at USB is that the bitstream is retimed by the DAC... with the other connections it is not.
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Take a Look at the T+A DAC 200 - works well with Aurender, is very musical, has a separate DAC circuit for DSD and is also built like a tank and made to last. Fits into your budget as well.
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My understanding is if you use USB then you don’t get the benefits of the excellent clock in the N200, which would seem like a waste. I believe @audphile1 has mentioned the best connection to use is AES/EBU with the N200, but not sure on that but it makes some sense. For the DAC, it totally depends on what improvements and sound characteristics you’re looking for — let that be your guide and if you share that info you’ll get some great recommendations here.
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@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.
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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.
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@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!
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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.
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@willywonka Yeah I was aware the clock in the streamer is basically a non issue for USB, but the info on the TXCO clock was interesting. That said, my Iris has a TXCO clock and I still notice a significant improvement although I’m using the i2S connection so not sure how much each is contributing.
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I am using a Lab 12 DAC 1 Reference with my N200. I like this DAC a lot , I bought the N200 by leveraging a preamp I wasn't using that had some value toward the N200. For .$800 plus that trade I stepped I to an Aurender. For me it was a no brainer.
Another factor was I wanted a streamer good enough that it would not be outclassed if I updated my DAC.
The N200 has had some recent FW updates and some Conductor updates in the last month. Aurender support is excellent
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With N200, USB is the best way to take advantage of its stellar capabilities. The SPDIF connection while it’s decent, provided for convenience and to facilitate connectivity with legacy DAC’s.
In absolute terms, OCXOs are much more accurate and stable than the temperature-varying crystal oscillators (TCXO’s).
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So many good options in your budget. Check out Meitner, Bricasti, Lampizator, Rockna, Denafrips. Laiv, etc.
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+1 @jwpstayman
The Aurender and T+A DAC 200 might make a great combo, since the Aurender can do both - PCM and DSD on USB. This is one flexible DAC with tons of option.
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@lalitk Given the state of my hearing, I'm unlikely ever to move up to N20. So as you say, the goal is to connect N200 via USB to a better DAC. Wondering which if any of those recommended above you would pair with the N200?
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I find that on the N200 the usb is by far the better of the two connections. I run mine with a Denafrips Terminator Plus, which I also find to be a very good combination. I’ve also tried the Bartok and TA DAC’s but find the Terminator more to my liking. I understand with Vineshine out of the picture Denafrips will still use their Texas service center so if there were to be a problem, service would not be too inconvenient for US residents. If you do decide on Denafrips I would confirm that though.
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@hickamore a word of caution/warning with ARC DACs - only the latest iterations include the USB card that is compatible with Linux based streamers. You would have to check with ARC if the unit includes the latest USB card or was upgraded. Otherwise your N200 is not going to be compatible with DAC9 if you’re planning to use USB.
Few more DACs to add to the list…
Chord DAVE: Awesome DAC but a bit long in a tooth so expect a replacement soon however the prices on a used market are great.
dCS Bartok: older non-Apex version is within your price range. dCS are considered to be top notch DACs. The brand’s been around forever and as with other big names (think Wilson Audio, B&W, McIntosh, etc.) has its fan base as well as plenty of haters. I would not hesitate to try a dCS DAC if one’s available on a used market at a price that would allow for a flip at minimal loss in case you don’t like it. And this is true for other DACs as well. Everything in this hobby is subjective. Some will say dCS sounds analytical, others will state it’s superb and is natural and musical sounding - too many variables to consider and is best to try.
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I actually liked the Bartok. I didn’t find it analytical at all. I just like the Terminator a bit more.
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The Audio Analogue AA DAC for 5000, it has a great volume control, you can eliminate the preamp…a real steal..
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@marco1 I too have found that my Terminator 15th (Which is a Terminator +) sounds really good with the N200. I almost bought a T+A Dac 200 but changed my mind.
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Everyone likes something different, of course, and most people recommend what they have. I have the DCS Bartok And it is not at all analytical to my hearing. But I will say the upgrade to the Apex version is a substantial improvement in sound quality. If you got interested in it, I would strongly consider the Apex version, to my ears, the upgrade is very much worth the money.
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Have an N20 XLR AES connected to an MSB Discrete DAC with the N20 Clock synced with the Femto clock in the MSB. I use the Word Sync connection on the N20 to connect to the Word clock in the MSB. This sounds superior to just using the N20 Clock. This connection was recommended to me by MSB
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@fthompson251 ya, more than $2k difference between the Terminator and DAC 200. It’s certainly the better value and imo sounds better too.
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@hickamore
You got some good recommendations. Choosing a DAC to pair with the Aurender N200 depends on your sound preferences, system synergy and budget. The N200 is a high-quality streamer with excellent timing and transparency, so you’ll want a DAC that complements its strengths without introducing unwanted coloration.
I can make some recommendations based on my experience with different DAC’s and Aurender models I’ve owned over the years,
Holo May KTE - It’s a R2R DAC with exceptional resolution and tonal balance. Its natural sound pairs well with the N200’s precision. You’re likely to hear deep soundstage, natural tonality, and excellent detail retrieval.
LampizatOr Baltic 4 or Amber 4 - For their warmth and richness. I would only recommend a LampizatOr DAC if your rest of the system is Solid State and you feel it lacks warmth and musicality.
dCS Bartók or Rossini - Highly detailed, expansive and transparent. Personally, I wasn’t impressed due to its slightly dry texture and analytical sound. I have only heard non-Apex version. Not sure, if Apex version sounds more engaging?
Master Fidelity NADAC D (formerly Merging Technologies NADAC) - I would choose this DAC for extreme transparency, wide soundstage and reference level detail. It strikes a perfect balance between smoothness and accuracy with a firm grip on musicality.
Bricasti M1 SE or M3 - You get a refined, dynamic and detailed sound with its distinctive natural tonality.
If you’re aspiring to build an all ARC system, then DAC’9 with latest USB board would do just fine. I used to own DAC 9 and it’s a fine sounding DAC within ARC ecosystem.
Whichever DAC you choose to go with, its Synergy with rest of your system is far more critical than any XYZ brand.
Do you lean toward a specific type of sound, e.g., warm and lush, neutral and precise. Knowing that could help narrow down the choices further and not feel overwhelmed by plethora of available choices in DAC’s.
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@lalitk @audphile1 & others very helpful, many thanks. I always prefer the warm side for extended listening, whatever the genre. This tends to mean Class A amplification and/or tubes somewhere along the way.
@fthompson251 Does one pre-order the Terminator 15th direct from Denafrips since the Vinshine demise? How much VAT/other taxes?
Owing to uncorrectable hearing loss, the very top end is wasted on me. Which means audio budget is limited not only by finance, but by inability to hear the higher levels of refinement. Ear fungus, alas, is a real thing. Ate a hole in right eardrum 20 years ago, and now left as well. "Healing" means permanent scar tissue. But that's for another thread.
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I’m on the other end of this inquiry. I have a Bricasti M1SE and have been tire kicking for a streamer… pretty close to pulling trigger on an N200 but I swear somewhere I read the Bricasti is better with Ethernet rather than USB? Would love for someone to tell me that’s not true lol.
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I’m really happy with using a good USB from my N200 to the Pontus ll. Though I must admit that I haven’t tried ABS/EBU.
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The following DACs are highly compatible with the Aurender N200’s capabilities in delivering high-resolution files and managing noise effectively.
R2R
- Denafrips Pontus 15th / Venus 15th – Highly regarded for natural, analog-like sound.
- Holo Audio Spring 3 (Level 2 or KTE) – Exceptional detail and tonal richness, suitable for audiophiles.
- MSB Discrete DAC – Modular design, excellent for upgrades; very high-end performance.
- Rockna Wavelight DAC – Smooth, organic, and precise sound reproduction.
Delta-Sigma chip based
- Chord Qutest / Hugo TT2 – Known for transparency and detail retrieval.
- Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ – Offers a neutral and detailed sound signature with a robust feature set.
- Benchmark DAC3 – Clean, accurate, and neutral presentation, ideal for reference listening.
- T+A DAC 200 – A hybrid approach delivering both precision and warmth.
Hybrid or Tube-based
- LampizatOr Amber 4 – Tube-based design for warm, lush sound.
- Audio Note DAC 2.1x – Purely musical with a minimalist approach.
- PS Audio DirectStream DAC MKii – FPGA-based, highly resolving and smooth sound.
- Weiss DAC502 – High-end DAC with precision and great functionality.
- LTA Aero DAC – Tube output stage with low output impedance
High-End (these might be over your budget but worth consideration one day you become rich
- dCS Bartók – Renowned for advanced technology and unparalleled soundstage.
- dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC – dCS flagship DAC
- Mola Mola Tambaqui – Compact, highly resolving, and extremely dynamic.
- Esoteric N-05XD – Matches the refinement of the Aurender N200 perfectly.
- Luxman DA-06 – Offers a smooth, musical presentation with excellent build quality
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I'm using my Aurender N200 with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC via USB and I'm very happy. I did try coaxial but thought the USB sounded better.
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The AudioMirror Tubadour V is <$8k and is an excellent tube DAC.
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we sell a large number of dacs: naim, nad,chord,bricasti, aqua hifi, and a few others
we recommend you look at an aqua hifi lascala for a number of reasons:
Extremely musical r to r design with a tube output stage:
unlike many r to r designs the lascala has incredible resolution while having a lush midrange.
accepts high res pcm and dsd
is completely modular and upgradable so as technology improves the dac can evolve.
Dave and Troy
Audio Intellect NJ
aqua hifi dealer
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@hickamore NotVAT in USA, I bought mine from @Audioman58 in the USA
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Thanks to the many A'goners who weighed in on this. I will soon be making the best-informed device acquisition of my career.
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The only two DACS I’ve directly compared in my system are the PS Audio Direct stream Mark II & the Bricasti M1 Series II. It wasn’t close as the Bricasti was better in every way from build quality to sound quality. The Bricasti is built very well in n MA & sounds excellent w/ a dead silent, jet black background & very detailed & dynamic with no listening fatigue. I found the PS to be thin sounding in comparison & often noisy on some cuts. You may be able to find the Bricasti used for about .$9K but I suspect it’s the next level from most anything new near that price. Highly recommend!
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I too am using a Pontus two with my N200 and can’t help feeling like there is a lot more potential in there that Im not unlocking . Like a lot of others here Im trying to figure out where I wanna go next with a new Dac.Any one know of a Dac lending library?
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@jonwolfpell that’s my PS Audio DSD MkI vs. Bricasti M3 results as well. No comparison. Especially in noise floor that’s pretty much the foundation for all other improvements over PS A.
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@bikeboy52
I’m in the same boat. Let me know what you find out and I’ll do the same with you.
(Pontus ll to N200.)
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I'd throw in another vote for Mojo Audio Mystique X-24AM. An amazing dac!
Best wishes,
Don
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⬆️ A DAC with 24-bit 192KHz maxx resolution for $6K, that’s a hard pass for me!
Equally or perhaps better Non-oversampling (NOS) DAC to consider,
LTA Aero and Border Patrol DAC SE-I.
A head to head comparison is warranted before anyone thinking about chucking down $6K for any DAC out there!
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It surprises me that nobody mentioned as a candidate Le Dac2 from the French company Metronome Technologie.
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@stievus Thank you for the introduction to Le Dac2, one of the few new-to-me DACS mentioned here that checks all my boxes, including cosmetically.. Read up on it, including reviews which suggest I would prefer it to T+A Dac2. Impossible to guess what synergy it might have in my system, but If buying new and if trial is offered, I could test with Terminator/Venus (R-2R for less $). (Though coming tariffs may confine all of us DAC-seekers to the US-made & used markets).
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@hickamore You might also consider their newest, cheaper device, the Metronome DSC Mini.
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I have never heard of any Sabre based Dac described as warm. What is the rest of your system? Don’t sleep on the T&A Dac 200. Find one pre owned and check it out. Easy to listen to yet all the detail/resolution/transparency you need. Whole nother level from the Bricasti M3 it replaced.
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@benzman T+A Dac 200 ----> tube preamp ----> Class A SS amp?
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@audphile1
thanks for the DM. Yes, it’s the $2500 M3H unit in LA.
the seller doesn’t think it has an MDx board in it…but either way, I’m looking forward to adding it to my system.
does yours have the Ethernet board? I have a Lumin U2, and am thinking of trying AES to compare with the dedicated USB output (on U2).
any recommendations for AES XLR cables?
many thanks.
JAMES
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@jimboman check your messages I replied there. I would bet a good USB would be better than AES but worth trying. Good AES not sure…haven’t tried anything recently except DH Labs which was decent.
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@audphile1
I’ve got a Wireworld starlight Platinum 8 and an AQ Diamond for USB. Will start with those thanks again for the advice and encouragement
Apologies to everyone for hijacking thread…don’t have ability to DM at the moment :-)
best, JAMES
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@jimboman I use AQ Diamond and it sounds very good with the Bricasti. Good luck and keep me posted.
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I already had a CEC DA5 as my DAC, which went perfectly with my CEC TL5 CD transport. I then went the 'whole hog' with digital and purchased the Aurender N200. I couldn't be happier with the N200/ DA5 combo via usb. Not to say that there are better alternatives but I'm too busy enjoying the music to experiment! :-)
cheers, Paul
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Seems like this topic pops up every few weeks so I'll toss my Canor, DAC 2.10 into the mix. For $4K it's is as good if not better than all but the very hiend Mola Mola, Berkeley, DCS and Meitner pieces. I listened to a bunch in the $3-$7500 range and the Canor was superior in almost every way to the others including Weiss, PS Audio, Benchmark, etc. The separation of musical instruments in the soundstage is what floored me. Zero grain, no digital remanence whatsoever. I am partial to tube DACs especially in a highly resolving setup and this Canor has been a terrific addition to my system. Definately worth a demo. Just my experience...
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