Aurender N20 Streamer & Holo May DAC vs Analog

@soix

Yes, good plan. but I will first upgrade USB since that is what is working best at this point.

@lordmelton

Is there an advantage to an external clock when the Aurender already has a quality clock and the May hasn’t any clock input? Is Silver critical with USB?

@baylinor

Sounds good to me.

@vonhelmholtz 

I went with the Curious USB cable. Used to have DH Labs silversonic. The Curious is more analog sounding, takes the sharp edge off what the Silversonic had. 

+1 for SOIX suggestion

100 hours is way too early on the May DAC, I wouldn’t start critical listening until at least 300, many recommendations are for 500….I have heard the Holo Audio May DAC KTE create magic in mine and other systems, but not at your equipment level

@vonhelmholtz 

Is there an advantage to an external clock when the Aurender already has a quality clock and the May hasn’t any clock input? Is Silver critical with USB?

A 10 mHz external clock helps the internal clock be more accurate. It makes a big difference. It is not essential to have a clock input/output on your DAC but the Terminator Anniversary kills two birds with one stone.

Silver USB works very well for me but USB cables seem to vary wildly in performance to cost.

As @soix said put your best analogue cables on your digital rig and compare.

However you need a few months for everything to burn in.

@lordmelton

I have the same analog cables from DAC to preamp and phono preamp to preamp, but I have higher quality power cables on all components, but only Audioquest Delta NR on Aurender.