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750$ Intel NUC vs $6000 Aurender N200: I don't hear the difference

I finally plunged into the source is as important as the DAC belief that is quite prevalent here and decided to test out Aurender N200. And given I have a very highend DAC, thought if the N200 pans out I would go for the N20 or N30.

 

I was expecting the N200 to blow away my Intel NUC which is 10th gen, core i7, 8GB and running Roon Rock BUT I am switching back and forth between USB playing the Roon Rock, and Co-axial playing Aurender N200, and I don't hear much of a difference maybe a hair, or not even that.

 

A few caveats: 1) Roon Rock is playing Quboz, N200 is playing Tidal (I am unable to get Qobuz login to the N200 for reason I don't understand).

2) I am comparing Coaxial on N200, USB on Roon Rock.

Caveat #2 can be ignored because I don't hear a difference between Coaxial and USB output of N200.

 

So either this is an "Emperor has no clothes" moment or I am missing something big. Any thoughts on what I might be missing before I send this N200 back to the dealer on Monday.

 

Rest of my system: Nagra TUBE DAC -> Accuphase E-650 -> Devore O96 and all Acoustic Revive wiring. 

essrand
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 

My grace digital streamer sounds fine to me, see no reason to upgrade or spend a vast amount of money for little to no difference. I stream out of convenience, no hi res for me, not that into it. The Grace sounds remarkably good for a lousy $179, has a nice screen to boot.

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
482 posts
 

@audphile1 

“To learn. Challenge yourself and your perception you have built up over the years by saying it’s all sciences.”

Dude, your words.  But when somebody challenges you, you accuse him (or her) of being “a beginner to this hobby.” Who made you the audiophile police anyway?  I’ve had a system since 1977(ish).  And check out my 4 systems on audiogon - I think I have a right to exist. Sorry.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,241 posts
 

You’re good at taking things out of context
what I said was…

you are most likely a beginner in this hobby or someone who’s been around for a while but dismissed listening as a critical, viable and valid means of evaluating audio components and cables. 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
482 posts
 

@audphile1 

good lord! 

“you are most likely a beginner in this hobby or someone who’s been around for a while but dismissed listening as a critical, viable and valid means of evaluating audio components and cables.”

there, the full context, not a word of which is true.  Happy?

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,241 posts
 

@mdalton no reason to get all fluffed up. You have a nice analog based system with those AN speakers…is that cat there on top of the speaker used as a vibration control? Just kidding. Let’s just move on. Enjoy the music! Have a good night. 

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