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

The only two DACS I’ve directly compared in my system are the PS Audio Direct stream Mark II & the Bricasti M1 Series II. It wasn’t close as the Bricasti was better in every way from build quality to sound quality. The Bricasti is built very well in n MA & sounds excellent w/ a dead silent, jet black background & very detailed & dynamic with no listening fatigue. I found the PS to be thin sounding in comparison & often noisy on some cuts. You may be able to find the Bricasti used for about .$9K but I suspect it’s the next level from most anything new near that price. Highly recommend!

I too am using a Pontus two with my N200 and can’t help feeling like there is a lot more potential in there that Im not unlocking . Like a lot of others here Im trying to figure out where I wanna go next with a new Dac.Any one know of a Dac lending library?

@jonwolfpell that’s my PS Audio DSD MkI vs. Bricasti M3 results as well. No comparison. Especially in noise floor that’s pretty much the foundation for all other improvements over PS A.

@bikeboy52 

I’m in the same boat.  Let me know what you find out and I’ll do the same with you.

(Pontus ll to N200.)

I'd throw in another vote for Mojo Audio Mystique X-24AM. An amazing dac!

Best wishes,

Don