Aurender N100H vs N10

Hi _ent,

The OCXO crystal clock in the N10 is probably the biggest sonic upgrade from the N100H.

The streamer/renderer/server product segment is starting to improve rapidly in technology, features, interfaces, and simplicity so I am choosing to stick with my N100H until the next gen of these products arrives vs spending big bucks right now on an existing product.

After a year or so owning the N100H, I found that it is very sensitive to power cords, ethernet & usb cables, fuses, and isolation. Mine is sounding quite good now IMO. You could upgrade your N100H in this way in the near term, most of which will also benefit whatever you buy down the road.

Dave

@dlcockrum Thanks, Dave, for your comment.  I am currently using the TWL Digital American HP power cord on the N100H, which I think works pretty well.  Does high power cord work best with the Aurender or would a medium power one work better?  What power cord are you using for yours?  Also, I've been considering putting a SR blue fuse into it.  Did you do that?  If so, does it make a noticeable difference?  What isolation do you suggest?  Mine is on a Adona rack with a wood board between the Aurender and the granite platform. 

Hi _ent,

Of the power cords I have tried, here is my ranking of sound quality when paired with the N100H:

1) Verastarr Statement III Gold/Silver Hybrid HC
2) Verastarr Statement II Gold/Silver Hybrid HC
3) Verastarr Statement III Silver
4) Verastarr Statement II Silver
5) Verastarr Signature HC Silver
6) Verastarr Signature Silver
7) Synergistic Research Element CTS Digital
8) Synergistic Research Tesla Hologram D
9) TWL Digital American

The SR Blue fuse is my favorite, followed by the HiFi Tuning Cardas Copper, and then the SR Black. BTW, the N100H takes two fuses.

Isolation is the Symposium Ultra platform with Rollerblock 2+ (slightly more detailed) and without Rollerblock 2+ (slightly more harmonically textured).

Dave

Hi, Dave, looks like my TWL DA HP cord ranks the lowest (at number 9) in the list of power cords you've tried on the N100H.  Wow, sounds like I got a long way to go before I can bring the best out of my Aurender.  2 SR blue fuses?  That's just going to add up real fast.  Isolation will also be something I need to work on later.  Now I understand why you are not looking to upgrade to N10 any time soon.  May be your 'enhanced' N100H is now sounding very close to the N10.  Thanks.   

I just saw some online postings where people said the SR blue fuses either didn't make the N100H sound any different or the improvement is very small.  Is this right?