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Aurender ACS100 as streamer/player

After fiddling around with sending digital files from MacBook to DAC via JRiver, I'm researching dedicated server/streamers in the ~$3K range. I've read many posts here, as well as external reviews, and the Aurender ACS100 seems appealing as a potential one-box solution. Close to it is the Auralic Aries G1.1, since one can use an external drive to rip CDs with error correction. I've heard about Innuos Zenith Mk3 (with CD ripper), but I prefer the remote apps offered by Aurender or Auralic.

Anyway, my main question is the value of using ACS100 as a single source (streaming and playing stored music). Aurender has the following disclaimer/warning:

"ACS100 is a NOT a high performance digital audio transport. It is intended as a companion piece to another Aurender. The ACS100 USB 2.0 port is NOT the same as Aurender's hallmark dedicated filtered and isolated USB 2.0 AUDIO port" (e.g., as found on NT150).

Of course they want you to buy a NT150 as well. Yet after all that, they go on to say:

"However, ACS100 does have a USB 2.0 output. So, one may pair this model up with a high performance DAC for a complete digital front end solution if desired."

The implication is that you may get garbage out from the ACS100 USB 2.0 port, but go ahead if you are so desperate.  What have ACS100 owners actually found when using the unit as their primary digital source, connected directly to a DAC?

 

ral
ral OP
124 posts
 

ghdprentice - All good points, but now I think we're getting into the philosophical question of whether to own music or not.  Could be a generational thing, but I would like to eventually have a digital music library.  And I'd rather not pay for a download if I can rip a CD I already own (or an LP; I have a good A/D convertor). For me, the ripping needs to be easy/reliable and not several steps removed. For albums that I really enjoy but don't own, there is just an urge to possess the digital file via download.  Streaming remains ideal for exploration of past recordings and new releases.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,435 posts
 

@ral 

I hear you on HDD drives but given Aurender’s track record of reliability and excellent customer service support, it’s safe to assume that you don’t have to worry about internal drives crashing anytime soon. The UPS option in both ACS10 and 100 ensures safe shut down incase of power outages. In any case, always keep a backup copy of your music on an external HDD drive. 

I do like the user installed SSD option in ACS100 and newer units. Like you, I am hanging on to my CD rips that are superior sounding to their streaming counterparts. I still buy CD’s and Downloads sourced from analog masters. The ACS100 makes it a breeze to curate, browse and play all of my music. 

ral OP
124 posts
 

lalitk - With the ACS100 (or ACS10) is it easy to "make a backup" to an external USB drive, i.e. backing up the two internal SSD discs while they remain installed?  Do you use the ACS Manager for this? Or do you backup over your network? Sorry -- streamers are new to me.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,435 posts
 

@ral

You can back up files to an external drive over network or by connecting directly to ACS100 Data USB ports, the app is very intuitive. 

1X USB 3.0 (Rear), 1X USB 3.0 (Front), 1X USB 2.0 (Rear)

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

I use dBPoweramp, a $35 USB CD drive and a MacBook Pro to rip CDs. dBPoweramp makes sure that the rip is bit perfect. My ripped FLAC file automatically is uploaded to my Synology server, but it can be uploaded wherever you want. I keep the NAS as a backup to the files stored on my Aurender. Very easy..no need to have a built in CD drive. I should say that since the Aurenders play from internal storage, the music is up to the standards or close to very high Rez. Qobuz streaming.

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