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Issue with Graininess from my Aurender N100H

I've been using an Aurender N100H for the past 3 months for digital streaming (TIdal HiFi) and my digital library (AIFF, ALAC, Hi-Res files on the internal SSD drive).  Overall, the sound is outstanding with good soundstage, serious detail, rich timbre, etc.  However, much of the music has a "coating" of graininess or static.  When the system is not playing a track it is silent, but during songs, especially, quieter passages, the static is more pronounced.  It happens on both the internal drive tracks and streaming via ethernet.  It seems to be more pronounced while listening to horns - alto and tenor sax and trumpets.

I have tweaked the system by switching out the stock power cable with a Shunyata cable plugged directly into the wall versus the Venom.  I have run the Curious USB cable directly to my Multi-bit Gumby and also through an ISO Regen with an Ultracap LPS-1.  I just picked up a Schiit Eitr SP/DIF converter and have a Kimbler D-60 going to the optical.  In each case, I get the same graininess.

Anyone have a similar issue.  Remedies?  Thanks.
128x128pg62
hgeifman
2,164 posts
 
@pg62, I forgot something.  

Please ensure your software on your Aurender N100H and Conductor App are current. Aurender updated the Conductor App on December 29.    See:

http://www.aurender.com/blog/new-software-release-note-4

i do not know if the above will fix your graininess issue but your software needs to be current.  As I said above, please call Aurender Customer Support and Please keep us posted. 
pg62's avatar
pg62 OP
31 posts
 
hgeifman, thank you so much for all the advice on this issue.  I am working on your list.  Aurender support asked me to connect to one of the USB data ports underneath the ethernet connection.  I did that and the graininess has stopped.  That said, the sound is a bit more digital, but I just made the reconnection and perhaps the port needs to burn in.  I may return the unit and seek a repair to the main USB output port which seems to be the culprit.  I bought it new through Music Direct.  I'll keep you posted.
pg62's avatar
pg62 OP
31 posts
 
Music Direct was good enough to take back the defective unit.  I replaced it with a N100C, the latest N100 with a coax digital connection.  I set it up yesterday and it sounded great.  I may try the USB rig I'd gotten - ISO Regen and Curious cables, but I'd doubt they'd sound better than the Kimber Kable D-60, but you never know.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

The best sounding S/PDIF cable for the money:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154425.0

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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