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Aurender integrated streamer/DACs

Does anyone have experience with any of the mid-to-upper-level Aurender units that feature integrated DACs and how do they compare with comparably-priced outboard DACs?  Understanding DAC voicing can be a matter of preference, I am also considering a dedicated Roon Core built of JCAT components feeding either a Weiss 502 or the new PS Audio DSD when that becomes available.

Bonus question: looking at this another way (assuming the DACs referenced above are superior to a built-in Aurender DAC), how would a nicely spec'd Roon Core compare with an Aurender Server/Streamer?

Please answer only on in terms of sound quality only.  I believe the UI will work fine for me, whether it is Conductor or Roon.  Thanks very much!

mhwilliford
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,450 posts
 

@soix

In most cases, separates are capable of better sound. I never said, A200 DAC Is @gsomin best option given his system. The A200 DAC is not even fully broken-in and you rushed to conclude that A200 is a ‘bottleneck’ in his system. Was that a fair assertion on your part, I let you be the judge of that! This isn’t an argument about separate vs integrated. The best advice for @gsomin is to allow full break-in of A200. Post break-in, if he still don’t find A200 upgrade substantial over Node then going the separates route or another DAC to complement Node 2 or N200 would be the next logical step.

As far as comparison, my last comparison was Aurender A30 vs EMM Labs DA2 and I chose DA2. In this category, I will always choose and recommend separates as it offers most flexibility and convenience to tweak the sound to your liking.

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soix
9,456 posts
 

This isn’t an argument about separate vs integrated. 

@lalitk Yes, it really is exactly that argument. If you think the best recommendation for a DAC in a $25k+ system is the one that’s included in a $6k streamer have at it.  Me?  If I’ve got that chunka change sunk into my system I’m sucking it up and buying a better separate DAC because I think it’s pretty damn important.  So yeah, I’m saying the DAC included in a $6k streamer is a bottleneck in the context of a $25k+ system.  It’s all about balance, and using that relatively inexpensive DAC section in that system is in my opinion unbalanced.  

benzman's avatar
benzman
407 posts
 

I had an A10 which is the predecessor to the A200. It’s not going to get much better. Aurender will always sound good and never fatiguing but will not get you the utmost in resolution or transparency.  Send it back why you have a chance. I had the Cary 600 and 700 after the A10. Again very good but also uses the AKM velvet chip sets and they are just too smooth. I have a Bricasti M3 streaming Dac and it’s what music really sounds like. Dynamic and big. Added an EtherRegen and a LHY OCK 2 reclocker and it digs deep with fantastic transparency. 
 

ghdprentice
6,969 posts
 

@soix & @lalitk 

 

Good discussion. I think we are all saying about the same thing.in general, separates are better. It is likely the OP could benefit from a sea parade… but I don’t think any of us could categorically be sure.

 

OP, definitely allow it to break in. The nuances we are talking about are likely pretty small. Spend one serious time with it… if it doesn’t blow away the Bluesound… then go for the N200 with a good quality DAC and you will never look back. I am sure we can help coach you on the DAC… if it comes to that… but I doubt it will.

 

 

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