2. digital
  3. 181468-164802

Streamer upgrade? follow up.

I posted the first part of this earlier in the week. There are a few other threads running concurrently here about this same subject.This is my personal experience with this situation.Ive been using a Aurender A100 streamer/dac which is they’re entry level unit, the SQ wasn’t horrible but I was pretty sure I could get it better.In a attempt to do that I purchased a Denafrips Pontus two and a DhLabs Mirage Usb cable to use with the A100 utilizing its Usb out.The two local hi fi dealers here in SO Cal both told me this would not produce much of an result and in my opinion after trying it they were both correct. So… as I stated in the first post I was coming from a “bit is bits” perspective which was I was convinced adding a better Dac would accomplish my goals, I just couldn’t believe that the zeros and ones  could possibly effect the quality of sound. But not being one to give up I decided in for penny in for a pound Id see for myself if there was anything to the other side of this conversation, I wanted a new toy for Xmas anyway.So I traded my A100 plus some cash to TMR ( nice people btw) for a shiny new Aurender N200 which arrived yesterday. Last night the moment of truth, I hooked up the new unit with the exact same everything as before in my system nothing different but the streamer.I let the tubes and everything else warm up for a few hours,picked a song I knew inside and out sat down and pressed play. Immediately within the first few notes of the Stones “ Wild Horses “ I knew I had made the right choice and that I was wrong believing  bits are bits “. I really don’t have adequate language to describe the difference in sound quality other than to say I feel like Im in someone else’s home listening to they’re far superior system, its that drastic.I can with complete confidence say this has got to be one of if not the most significant upgrades Ive made in my system, scouts honor!              PS. Grinin ear to ear here.                                                            

bikeboy52
bikeboy52 OP
187 posts
 

It seems that quite a few people are questioning the wisdom of spending time and money building or improving systems for streaming music.Aside from the fact that I have the ability to hear virtually any song that pops into my head,its the first upgrade path I’ve taken in this hobby that actually pays for its self, vinyl records are what ? Thirty dollars a pop , Cd,s what? the same? I saved every penny of the cost of my latest hardware purchase by not buying any physical media for the last year.Sure the subscription to the streaming service is a small cost but also what I would consider a steal to have that kind of access. Its the future and its here now.

 

niodari's avatar
niodari
300 posts
 

Santa Claus is doing magic...

He could do the same magic if you have been ordered Node 2i instead and, he would in addition gift you in addition $5500 :⁠-⁠)

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

 

Santa Claus is doing magic...

He could do the same magic if you have been ordered Node 2i instead and, he would in addition gift you in addition $5500 :⁠-⁠)

This is true if you compared them directly in your audio system and heard no sound quality improvement. Then of course you would buy the less expensive Node 2i and be happy.

If on the other hand an Aurender N200 is significantly better sounding then you have a decision to make. Am I willing to pay more to get unquestionably better sound performance streaming my music. I suspect that most listeners/music lovers will opt for the improvement they clearly hear.

Charles

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

If your system has a bottleneck south of the streamer,  you will never reach the streamer’s full potential.   
 

I only will recommend something if I have used it first hand, own it, demo’d it or used it in some capacity 

I can recommend the N200 if the rest of your system is of the same caliber it is worth a demo.   
 

Like I have said numerous times, the Node / Vault is a great streamer    The N200 is better in every metric, especially the most important aspect ….  Support. 
 

Aurender support is exceptional 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

“This is great ad for Aurender N200 which I will never ever spend my money on 

what’s the op experience coming to streaming? 
Aurender , auralic is a joke 

they are the first streamer/ dac recommended by 99% of people here and most of this guys are dealers and so on”

I could not disagree more with this statement 

No experience with Auralic but have heard they are great too

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