DAC for Aurender N200


For past 2 years I have been running Aurender N200 into Musical Fidelity M6s DAC. The DAC is built like a tank and very versatile, but I must connect via coax since Aurender clock is superior to DAC clock.
Well, I am ready to upgrade DAC for SQ reasons and presently inclining to PSAudio MkII for US mfr, good reviews, good service, current bargain price.
Q1: What DAC (<$8k) would you consider an optimal match for the N200?
Q2: N200 has very few outputs compared with other streamers in its price class.
I know Aurender has always inclined to USB. All else being equal, is USB the best output?

 

hickamore

Take a Look at the T+A DAC 200 - works well with Aurender, is very musical, has a separate DAC circuit for DSD and is also built like a tank and made to last.  Fits into your budget as well.

My understanding is if you use USB then you don’t get the benefits of the excellent clock in the N200, which would seem like a waste.  I believe @audphile1 has mentioned the best connection to use is AES/EBU with the N200, but not sure on that but it makes some sense.  For the DAC, it totally depends on what improvements and sound characteristics you’re looking for — let that be your guide and if you share that info you’ll get some great recommendations here. 

@soix actually AES/EBU is best with N20. N200 only has coax and USB and the latter definitely sounds better.
I ran the N200 with PS Audio DSD MkI, Chord Hugo TT2 and Bricasti M3.
Love the Bricasti DAC.
You can pair the N200 with a lot of good DACs out there.
Used Bricasti M1S2 or even M21 if you’re lucky on a used market.
For PS Audio DSD MkII I would keep an eye on TMR website as they get used PS components frequently. I like PS Audio but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
@fthompson251 just paired his N200 with the latest Denaftips Terminator and he’s impressed. May be he’ll chime in.

FWIW I am running my N200 with USB to a Denafrips Hermes/Terminator 15th combo and it is a really good combo. I like R2R dacs. I also like the option to use the I2s connection as wells as the clock sync function. The Terminator is a huge DAC and very well made.