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Aurelic G2 or Aurender N10

I’m having some challenges in a 2nd system.  I was using a Bluesound Node 2 to stream Tidal and Spotify and pulling from files on a souped up Mac mini.  While convenient enough when working - I had networking/updating issues (between \the Bluesound and the Mac, something needed updating every time I got the the place.  And, the updates frequently caused connectivity/shared file/pointing problems that made it a frustrating experience because this is in a remote location with spotty internet connection and speed.  

So, I’m looking to get a different server in there and am considering two very different units.  The Aurelic G2 looks very intriguing and it looks like I might be able to use it successfully in a WiFi environment.  But, I’m not sure and would greatly appreciate any user experiences with Aurelic devices and the lightning DS app.  

I’m also considering setting up a router as a waypoint so that I can use Ethernet to connect an Aurender N10 server.  This isn’t my first choice from a network standpoint - which I won’t go into here (primarily because I’m using Hughesnet for internet and don’t have control over their provided router and that causes complications for the repeater, etc.).  In any case, it might be a solution and I have an Aurender N100H in another system that I’m pretty happy with.  

So, I’m looking for some wisdom or collective experience from this group.  Anybody have the G2 and have experience to share?  I’d appreciate feedback on sound quality and wireless stability/functionality.  And, anybody have experience comparing the Aurender N10 and Aurelic G2 for sound quality?  And, what about the lightning DS app?  Or, should I just run Roon over the top and not worry about that as I can run Roon core on my Mac Mini.

Or, should I just save my money and try a Node 2i and see if that’s a more reliable set up?  I wan’t enamoured with the Bluesound controller app.  But, I got comfortable enough with it.  Not Aurender conductor quality - but serviceable.

Thoughts are appreciated.
mgrif

mgrif104
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
No comments on the g2 but I am using an Aries Mini and the wireless performance is near indistinguishable from wired. I have had zero dropouts or connection issues ever.
Now I also had a Bluesound Vault 2 which was hard wired only and did have a few issues connecting to the PC for library access now and again.
I always thought the Bluos app was pretty good myself. I honestly prefer it over the Apple only lightning app.
And the auralic and Aurender being Apple only AND not just any Apple but ios11 or higher is a real pain.
Good luck
mgrif104 OP
344 posts
 
Uberwaltz
thanks for the feedback.  This is helpful.  Interestingly, I’ve had two dealers of Aurelic try to steer me away.  I’m not sure either had actual experience with recent units, but I think the company didn’t treat the dealers well and that is filtering through as distrust of the products.  One also suggested the lighting app and WiFi was “buggy”.  That’s easy to believe given my experience with the Bluesound unit.  I think smaller companies have a hard time having the full engineering staff needed to develop these apps to work in the various environments in which they’ll be placed.  The one dealer also carries the Mind 2 which he thought would be a good fit. But, the MIND app gets poor reviews on the App Store.  So, now I’m wondering if I can figure out a way to get the Mac Mini to offer a cleaner, low jitter signal.  Experience suggests the servers are much better.  But, perhaps Steve N at Empirical can get me close.  Then I could run Tidal and Spotify off the Mac and pull from my library easily enough.  
Sigh. 
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
May I recommend LUMIN? I think you'll find it delivers on what you're looking for in terms of setup and user experience.
jond's avatar
jond
5,778 posts
 
@uberwaltz Hey man I didn't know you got a Mini! Good for you they are pretty hard to find as Auralic doesn't make them anymore. Sorry you don't like Lightning DS I find it to be a good app and fairly intuitive. I hope you get used to it. How do you like it soundwise versus the Vault?
mgrif104 OP
344 posts
 
Nekoaudio: thanks for the recommendation.  I considered the Lumin U1 but it requires an Ethernet connection like the Aurender - something I was hoping to avoid if I could. If I were to run an ethernet cable under the floor (hard in this place) to go that route, I’d probably go with the Aurender as it’s a known quantity to me both in terms of sound quality and in setup and user interface - and even though it’s limited to an apple Ipad to run the conductor app.  

Unfortunately, it would seem every potential solution has either serious compromises, or headaches I’d like to avoid.
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