Aurender N100h vs. SOtM sms-200 Ultra

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.

Actually there is a very good reason to try a pro so called Dante Interfaces, like Focusrite Rednet 3 or D16 or a Merging Hapi. Rednet is Dante, Hapi is Ravenna, both are using real-time optimized audio protocols, developed as very low latency live music, concert halls, very large audio systems supporting and distribution devices. They do not need a USB mambo jumbo, to sound really good as the best USB connection or better right out of the box as Ethernet - AES/SPDIF devices. 

ferenc - Is there a consumer product that will read from an SS drive that will be controlable through an itype device and output to a DAC that uses this type of interface? Please provide more specific actual products as I don't know what you are talking about.

In 2016, I decided to replace my MAC Book Pro Computer and purchase a single music server that does everything in one box.   After months of research, I selected the Aurender N10 Music Server and like it very much.  All my CD’s are stored on the N10 and it streams Tidal (and QuBuz).   The Aurender does not support Audirvana Plus, ROOM and does NOT require a connection to my MAC Computer.  The N10 provides both USB (Audience Au24 SE USB Cable, uses 2 wires) and AES/EBU digital outputs and I use both but the AES/EBU digital connection is my favorite (Snake River Audio Boomslang AES/EBU XLR digital cable).   All my album selection is done using the Aurender Conductor App that runs on my iPad.  The same Aurender Conductor App runs on the Aurender N100h and is very easy to use.

ROON requires a connection to a MAC Computer and so does Audirvana Plus if you use it on the ultraRendu.  This rules out the the ultraRendu for me since I require everything in one box and will NOT connect a box to my MAC Computer (for any reason).

My friend purchased the ultraRendu and likes it very much.  He reports the sound quality is excellent and it is very easy to use.  He uses ROON that requires a connection to his Computer.  I have another friend that purchased the microRendu and loves it for its excellent sound quality and ease of using ROON.  

I agree with dgarretson's post above that the "SOtM/MicroRendu paradigm is a building-block approach, as compared to a standalone purpose-build CPU like the Aurender". You need to decide if you want to DIY vs. a packaged one-box solution AND if you want to connect the ultraRendu to your computer. 

If possible, I suggest you demo both units to help you decide.  If a demo is not possible, I suggest you do more research before you make your decision.   Please confirm the ultraRendu return policy is 30 days.   Are you able to demo the Aurender N100h at your retailers store?    I hope this helps.  

It seems the SOtM sms200 ultra and the Aurender N100h are essentially the same thing except the SOtM has no internal hard drive or power supply, but is less than half the cost of the Aurender. I already have a 1TB SSD and external power supply so I'm really leaning toward the SOtM box. The only thing holding me back is the suspicion that the SOtM will sound only as good as my Auraliti PK90 and not much better. That is why I'm seeking opinions, but the Auraliti has only a small following so not too many people have heard it.

Thank you all for your input and opinions. I was hoping this thread would help others as well, since I'm not really too close to purchasing either right now. Two things I would love to try in my system are the SOtM sms 200 Ultra and a PS Audio P10 Regenerator. Since there is no way to do either without making a purchase, I will just have to resign myself to keep reading about them.

John