Aurender N20

@lordmelton 

From all reviews and Aries Cerat, the USB input of the Helene is possibly the best input. If you could elaborate? I am "digitally challenged," and much of the digital terminology is new to me, especially file formats. Boy, I miss the day when you insert a CD and press play!! On the flip side, streaming has introduced me to so many genres of music. 

@jeffreyw Hi Jeff, The AES/EBU digital XLR connection can only handle, max 192 kHz PCM it cannot play Native DSD.

Native DSD will be converted to DOP (DSD over PCM) either by your Aurender N20 or by the DAC. DOP is very good by not quite as good as DSD.

USB will handle files of much higher frequencies including DSD, so you can play files higher than 192 kHz PCM.

The N20’s XLR digital output is excellent so unless the Aries’ USB board is better I’m sure the XLR will be the best performer. Of course you will need to experiment yourself, or ask someone that has the same combination.

In this price range quality cables are extremely important.

I do find it disappointing however that a DAC of this quality and price doesn’t offer DSD processing and I2s inputs.

Hi-Rez files at 192 kHz will sound great regardless.

On my  setup with an N20 I favour USB for FLAC files and AES/EBU for WAV files.

@lordmelton 

Great explanation… but also makes me a bit liking the simpler days.
 

However owning a couple Aurender… I am happy to report you can just plunk it down, connect it..and turn it on, log into your Qobuz account and you are going to get fantastic sound… you can worry about the details of these slightly different high resolution formats later.

@ghdprentice Yes, The Aurender 20 and 30 series provide the full package catering to all formats in a very intuitive package with reference SQ.

Some may say there are better sounding streamers but at a price point, company support, build quality and ease of use the Aurenders set the standard.

The N20 is far better than the N200 if your system is a high performer. It's ocxo clock and lower noise floor really helps with soundstage placement.On my system (Luxman 509x, D-10X, Sopra No3) piano, vocals, and other instruments are in the space around the speakers. Piano is not just coming from the speaker drivers themselves, but is more organic and full.  it comes from in-between the speakers and around. Height is greater as well  The N200 is good but doesn't do what the N20 can do. The N200 has clarity and authority but can't provide a deeper more whole or relaxed presentation. Nuances played through the N20 are also easier to point out. The N20 is essentially the N30SA without the separate power supply. If you compare the N20 to the N30SA it is a great buy. But once you jump from all the A models through the N200 to the N20 there is a huge leap in performance and it's immediately discernable.