Solo streamer

OP, I absolutely agree, but that cuts both ways.  Just because a streamer is cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t sound as good as an expensive one.  That’s been my consistent point on this and many other threads.  And I’ve pulled data and measurements - yes, science - in support of this proposition.

and if you don’t hear a difference, you’ll be accused of having inadequate hearing, an insufficiently resolving system, or both.

@mdalton Absolutely not, at least not by me.  If the OP doesn’t hear an improvement I’d be pretty shocked but I’ll believe him 100%.  Hey, he has a 60-day return period so we’ll see, but I’d bet big $$$ that N200 goes nowhere.

And as far as his Benchmark DAC being a mismatch, perhaps that may be so at some level, but it’s sure as hell good and resolving enough to tell him if the new streamer sounds better to him or not, and if it does he reaps those benefits and can upgrade the DAC later if he chooses to get even more.  And maybe his DAC just sounds “right” to him, and if that’s the case and sounds even better with the Aurender then who cares how much the DAC costs?  I prefer my $3k speakers to plenty of others that cost more than three times as much, so cost is not an end all, be all indicator.  And I applaud the OP for choosing his gear by using his ears as the final arbiter.  Oh the horror!

The N200 was on my short list.  Ended up with the Innuos Pulse due to the preferred user app.  I purchased used for $2500 and added the Innuos Phoenix USB for $2000 which essentially upgrade my DAC (PS Audio Direct Stream mk 1) and and the Streamer.  Lots of great used deals available. 

I couldn't be happier with the result.

Started out with the same Cambridge unit.  Returned it.  Node N130 upgrade with LPS.  In 2nd system.  Then Eversolo DMP-A6.  Decent with a great app, but wanted more. Selling it.  Tried a HiFi Rose RS130.  Returned it.  Too much base boost after 100 hours burn in.  Tried the Pulse and loved it.  The itch is scratched.

@soix

That’s awesome, and really ballsy! Then which of your many personalities said this, in response to a member not even named MDAlton, just 7 days ago:

Streamers don’t have a sound and I agree software would be the focus.

Well that’s just completely untrue, poor advice, and the words of someone with little/no experience comparing streamers and/or has a system or ears incapable of revealing the differences. Both sound and software are vitally important, and discount either at your peril.

@mdalton If the OP doesn’t hear a difference I’ll completely believe him as I said, but as he has good ears and a good system I highly doubt that will be the case. And yes, if someone can’t hear differences between streamers, like yourself, I do assume that either the system or listener’s hearing is compromised. In your case it appears to be the latter but whatever. Again, we’ll see.