Solo streamer

@blisshifi 

Thanks for chiming in…..on a scale of 1-10, where would you rate A15 vs A200. Given @rvpiano system, I suspect he is likely to hear appreciable differences between A15 vs A200.

I have gone through 5 different models of Aurender ($2300 -$24k) over last 10 years and all streamers (transport) from N150 to N30SA are built to very high standards. I recognize the subjective nature of our hobby, no two systems are alike and then there is room acoustics and end user listening skills. My experience lead me to conclude that the differences in streamers are subtle at best and degree of separation between streamers is greatly dependent on external DAC and rest of your system. 

At OP’s price point of $2K - DAC, I believe A200 represents a great value and performance and alleviates him from the headaches of auditioning DAC’s for minimal gain, especially at his price point < $2500. 
 

@rvpiano or anyone else is free to choose the best path as there so many different ways to accomplish a good sounding streaming setup without loosing your sanity :-)

@lalitk The difference is pretty substantial, sonically. I don’t think the A200 would deliver any better than what he’s got going now. The DAC3 is a good DAC at its price point, and the N200 is a more transparent and engaging streamer than what is in the A200. 

Overall, Aurender’s analog output units (with DACs built in) are an attractive way to have a single box for digital, but being the critical listener that I am, I think there are better solutions out there to solve for what the OP wants to accomplish. The DAC in the A15 is quite good, but very linear and detailed, much like a Mola Mola Tambaqui, vs focusing on the natural harmonics and refinement that makes music emotional and tangible. This is not a criticism so much on the Aurender, as the A15 is an incredible value as a combo. It’s basically the $6,300 N200 paired with a ~$3,500 DAC. The $15K A20 is much more realistic sounding, in my opinion, as it should be given almost double the price, and I have a high affinity to that.

My suggestion would be to stay the course with the N200 and find the right digital chain to complement. I think of it as matching a phono stage to a cartridge. The N200 is a stellar source, and the DAC needs to complement the N200 in ways the rest of his system can benefit from. 

“The difference is pretty substantial, sonically.”
@blisshifi

I respectfully beg to differ. For example, the difference between N20 and N30SA were subtle at best. They were compared in my system for extended period of time with DAC’s that costing $45K and $30K respectively. These are my findings and others may disagree and that’s ok.

Staying the course (n200) and finding a competent DAC is not a viable option for @rvpiano unless he is willing to spend upwards of $5K in DAC’s. I am now going to sit back and watch OP’s journey :-)

@lalitk I agree between the N20 and N30SA but I’ve spent time with all of the analog output series DACs except for the new A1000, and I heard pretty big steps between the A200, A15, and A20. You have experience with the dedicated streamers, so likely you know the improvement of the N150 to the N200 is there, and worthwhile, whereas the jump to from the N200 to the N20 is fairly substantial, with the N20 adding richness, density, refinement etc. With the analog output series, the DAC and analog stage play a large part in the overall performance, and while synergy in the combined unit is very good across all products offered, the performance gains are notable and audible. Depending on the system it’s going in, results may vary.

I do also agree that the N200 is worthy of a DAC $5K+. This is what I mentioned at the very beginning of this thread (not the $5K, but that this may result in the search for a better DAC). I’ve seen this journey pan out so many times with my clientele, it doesn’t surprise me anymore. :)