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Aurender Model Choices

Before I ask my question let me provide some context.

My system includes the following:

New MacBook Air Running itunes/Music serving hundreds of stored CDs

Macbook connected to my Benchmark DAC3 via Audioquest Coffee USB Cable

DAC balanced connection to Benchmark HPA4 PreAmp

PreAmp balanced connection to Benchmark ABH2 Amp

Benchmark Amp connected to Harbeth C7es-XD Speakers

This configuration has provided a neutral clean, and balanced sound. Really no complaints. However I wanted to add Streaming. So I Signed up for Qobuz and downloaded the App to my MacBook. Using WiFi I found that the Qobuz stream offered superior sound quality to my local CD library. Even Redbook CD quality was better plus the HiRes albums were really good

So now I need to get a dedicated Streamer. Using the MacBook is not convenient and from what I’ve read a Streamer should offer additional SQ enhancement. I’ve done a lot of research and really like the Aurender products plus when I recently purchased my speakers I auditioned them with an Aurender Model 100. The sound was excellent. I plan to go back in a few weeks to audition the $6k N200 model. I’m sure it will sound very good but I will be left wondering what does the N20 sound like? How much better can it be for another $6K? Unfortunately my dealer doesn’t have one to audition and neither does any other dealer near me. I’ve read comments on several forums that the N20 is twice as good as the N200 or that the N200 is nipping at the heals of the N20 or that the N20 just offers a 20% increase in SQ or the N20 blows the N200 out of the water. Without a side by side audition I’m struggling with paying twice the price without a demonstrable and significant SQ improvement. I would expect a SQ that once heard I could never settle for the less expensive model. In my recent experience a more expensive model does’t always win. When buying my speakers I auditioned the Harbeth C7es-XD and the more expensive 30.2 XD model. After almost an hour of back and forth I preferred the lower priced model.

So to conclude has anyone had the opportunity to audition the N20 and N200 together?

If so please Specifically what if any SQ differences did you hear and were they worth an additional $6k?

As I listen to my system streaming from my MacBook with wonderfully smooth, clean HiRes sound  I wonder can I actually get significantly more improvement for $6k or $12K?

Thanks for any info and experiences you can provide.

jfrmusic
polyrhythm9
5 posts
 

I used an N200 for about a year and then upgraded to the N20 (initially used with AES connection to Chord DAVE DAC).

The first thing I noticed was a larger soundstage-both wider and deeper compared to the N200.  Instruments sound a bit more natural as well.  With the AES connection on the N20, I also noticed that the top end was a bit recessed though-compared to using the USB connection with N200 into Chord DAVE DAC. .

So, based on a recommendation to use the Optical (toslink) connection from the N20 to the DAC, I heard MUCH  more air and top end.   This was a SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE- and sounds much, much better to my ears- better as in an entirely different unit. The kicker is that it was also recommended that using an inexpensive toslink cable (fiber optic cable) from Amazon - less than 10 dollars- would be fine.  And it is!  The N20 sound quality is now excellent.  

I'm still a bit shocked how much of a difference the Optical (toslink) connection makes with the N20 to Chord DAVE DAC compared to using a much more expensive AES cable.   

I highly recommend trying this method of connection if possible. 

timski's avatar
timski
13 posts
 

@polyrhythm9 

Thanks for the idea.  I just tried toslink from my Innuos Pulse to my MHDT Orchid and it sounds really good.  It’ll take more listening to see if it is indeed better than USB or Coax, but it has some promise for sure.

polyrhythm9
5 posts
 

You're welcome timski! I'll be curious as to your thoughts on this.  

It could be a synergistic thing with the Chord DAVE.  I'm not sure how many DAC's still have an optical connection, but I believe MSB does also.  

dwest1023
176 posts
 

Just received My new N20 Replacing a N200. The N20 is connected cardas usb to Holo May KTE. Using My Pass 250, breaking in new TRIANGLE - 40th Anniversary Comete EZ. I had been through a lot of streamers. From all the Eversolo models A6 to A8. I tried the Hi fi Rose 130 transport. It was pretty but it did not sound good in my system. Then I got a good deal on a Aurender N200 and bliss returned. Kept reading the opinions on the Aurender models and decided to try the next level. What a Difference!! The triangles and not suppose to be about bass, and they were not. Just a nice even beautiful midrange. That all change with the N20. They now sound like a sub is on. Really hard to believe the difference. Soundstage is huge and detail is much improved, shockingly so. I still would recommended the N200 to anybody, but the N20 in my system is on a whole different level. 

ricred1
1,983 posts
 

People think I'm crazy when I tell them in my experience I've heard bigger differences between music server/ streamers than between DACs. 

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