Aurender N100h vs. SOtM sms-200 Ultra

Blindjim... you asked if my SSD was a network drive?

It is a 1TB SSD with WAV and FLAC files on it that plugs directly into my Auraliti PK90 file player by USB connection in the rear. It would be used in the same way on the Aurender, or SOtM.

Also my DAC is a Schiit Yggy which has all sorts of inputs, but I just upgraded the USB to Gen 5 input.

Thanks,

John

Look at this thread:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/review-comparison-of-5-high-end-digital-music-servers-aurender-n10-c...


Romaz has already compared the SOtM gear to the top end Aurender and found it to be better.

USB is not the best chosen protocol in audio. In fact people who create dacs for manufacturers told me that it never should have been chosen.

The biggest problem in 2017 these days are the facts that most digital sources are not able to create diversity in sound.

One of the biggest limitations of USB is the loss of diversity in the middle freq. Even with the Aurender W20, DCS dac and upsampler it was easy to hear the lack in diversity in sound.

Only people who have less knowledge and insight in both sound and music are those who could buy them.

Compare products with an inbuild dac and you will hear how important diversity is in sound. Diversity (layering) in sound is the most important part to create emotion during listening to music.

John, 
I went the SMS-200 route based on research on CA, including the above link to Romaz's post. I have the non-ultra SMS-200, and have been very pleased using it with my Gen 5 Yggy. I am sure the Ultra SMS-200 would sound incredible. 

The Ultra does sound a lot better, especially if you add in the switch mod, tX-USB Ultra, and a master reference clock such as the Mutec Ref10/CyberShaft/SOtM.