Aurender

@marco1  "The N150 is a very good streamer and will serve you very well with your current DAC and something 2x3 times it’s cost.  Remember what’s entry level for Aurender is a step up for other manufacturers.  Just to put things into perspective concerning my systems, I use Denafrips DAC’s.  I hear no meaningful difference between the 150 and 200 until I pair it with my Terminator DAC.  I’ve also tried the streamers with a Terminator Plus that I will be purchasing and the difference between the two streamers becomes even more significant.  The upshot, imo, unless you are eventually planning a rather significant DAC upgrade stick with the 150 and put the difference into your DAC" 

It sounds like what you're saying is the N150 is good enough for my current DAC then take the money saved from purchasing the N200 and purchase a better DAC. In the same breath you say with a better DAC the N200 sounds better with the better DAC. If that's the case, I think I should just go for the N200 upfront and save up for a better DAC down the road. Or did I read into this wrong? Thanks.

@navyachts sorry if I wasn’t clear.  In my case, I really don’t hear a meaningful difference between the 150 and 200 until I use them with a DAC in the $5k -$7k range.  If that’s where you’re going to be soon, go for the 200.  If not, imo you’re probably not going to hear much difference between the 150 and 200 until you are in that range of DAC’s.  What order you do things in it a personal decision.  My preference would be to use the difference in cost for a better DAC NOW and realize the benefit of both upgrades NOW.  YMMV but who knows what you might be doing or thinking in a year or two or three.

@marco1 ok, thanks for the clarification. I think I am building out my last system and with the demo N200 only $700 more than a new N150 I thought I'd go for it now. As far as a better DAC, I can always dream!

Oh, didn’t realize there was only a $700 difference.  Carry on :-)