Aurender A200 vs N200

@fthompson251  - Thanks!   That makes sense.  I actually had called Aurender and I spoke with someone there, but they could not provide any details other than to say the N200 will "sound better".  

@hikerneil 

I have an Aurender A20 up for sell on Audiogone.

You could have the upgrade streamer and upgraded DAC.

Another vote for N200. Not only it’s a better streamer but a streamer only ‘box’ allows higher performance with an outboard DAC and flexibility to tailor your sound. 

I m also looking to finalize my digital path...currently using the Bluesound Node which is surprising decent in my system. This will be the last part to finalize my system...do not want to upgrade later...one and done purchase. A new N200 is going for $6,300 at most audio retailers...what would be a matching outboard DAC at the same price point = to keep entire system with interconnects under $15k?  Looking at the big picture - why not the A30 (new $19k); a one box system very well designed, I think the one hit is ability to backup files, newer versions Roon ready too??:

Analog Output Network Player
MQA Full-Decoder DAC / Headphone Amplifier
CD Ripper / Music Library Manager / 10TB HDD Storage
Variable-Output Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Analog Outputs
USB Digital Output / Coaxial and Optical Digital InputsLinear Power Supply with Integrated UPS 

FPGA-Based Precision Clock

upsampling non-DSD files up to 705.6/768kHz to the analog outputs. Or leave upsampling off (default setting) for an untouched bitstream.

I understand seperates in the digital chain are superior in several areas, including ease to upgrade one section later(DAC), but for a one box system (A30) compared to a N200 with match-capable DAC seems like a better bang for money spent...

Thoughts and insight appreciated,

JR

The A200 sounds like a good way to go if you have no digital components as it has both needed components in one box. Or maybe the HiFi Rose. Fewer cables as well. I’m an analog guy who is looking into digital, which I find enormously confusing. The one box seems like a great way to go.