Aurender N20 Streamer & Holo May DAC vs Analog

@vonhelmholtz One other thing I recall is that you were just resent a new Holo after your last one failed. From what I read in the past, the Holo May requires up to 600 hours of play time to fully burn in. Where do you think you are with the unit timewise?

@blisshifi 

At 100 hours.  Agree, too soon.  Also, pretty sure USB and AES/EBU cables can be improved upon.  Lastly, have Shunyata Sigma and Alpha NR cables on other components, but Delta on Aurender.  Shunyata just had a huge price increase on their cables.

That much burn in you could die before hearing any music.

Can't really be true but, if you believe it........

Go analogue.

Posts like these make me feel great about what I am able to achieve with my well constructed but reasonably priced streamer setup vs. my much more expensive analog one. Both have slightly different presentation but are 100% equally satisfying. Details under my house of stereo system. Actually listening to my CD setup now, just as good too. Enjoy whatever you got!

To get the best out of the N20 you will need:

1. Get a 10mHz 75 Ohm clock, something like After Dark or Chinese will work, no need to spend $1000s, but a quality 75 Ohm clock cable is essential.

2. Hi-End power cable, $3-5k. For DAC too.

3.Silver USB cable 1.5m

4.Purple Fuse. For DAC too.

Concentrate on SSD playback until you get it sounding right before you start messing with streaming. No need to upsample. Switch DOP off if you have DSD files.

If you are considering changing your DAC the Terminator 12th Anniversary has a built-in clock output designed for the W20SE but it should work with the N20.

Check with Alvin at Denafrips.