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750$ Intel NUC vs $6000 Aurender N200: I don't hear the difference

I finally plunged into the source is as important as the DAC belief that is quite prevalent here and decided to test out Aurender N200. And given I have a very highend DAC, thought if the N200 pans out I would go for the N20 or N30.

 

I was expecting the N200 to blow away my Intel NUC which is 10th gen, core i7, 8GB and running Roon Rock BUT I am switching back and forth between USB playing the Roon Rock, and Co-axial playing Aurender N200, and I don't hear much of a difference maybe a hair, or not even that.

 

A few caveats: 1) Roon Rock is playing Quboz, N200 is playing Tidal (I am unable to get Qobuz login to the N200 for reason I don't understand).

2) I am comparing Coaxial on N200, USB on Roon Rock.

Caveat #2 can be ignored because I don't hear a difference between Coaxial and USB output of N200.

 

So either this is an "Emperor has no clothes" moment or I am missing something big. Any thoughts on what I might be missing before I send this N200 back to the dealer on Monday.

 

Rest of my system: Nagra TUBE DAC -> Accuphase E-650 -> Devore O96 and all Acoustic Revive wiring. 

essrand

Showing 2 responses by grannyring

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,618 posts
 

Plus Qobuz sounds better than Tidal. Tidal is thin sounding and a tad harsh in the highs compared to Qobuz.  Then we see different cables are being used. This impacts the sounds greatly. Most likely different power cables and footers are also being used.  What about burn in time on the new server? So many variables. 

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,618 posts
 

We should better understand this as one was better only in terms of subjective sonic preferences and system synergy. The system and owner ears/preferences wanted more full bodied warmth. His comments clearly said this. In audio, nothing is ever universally better. It often comes down to system and room synergy coupled with subjective sonic preferences. I owned the same Roon server and my Innuos Zen was a clear step upwards sonically. Just so much better to my ears in my system. No right or wrong here. Always best to hear a piece in one’s own system to determine for yourself. Glad the OP did this.

 

In a system with plenty of warmth and body and an owner looking for more speed, detail and resolution, the other server may have been preferred. Welcome to the wonderful world of subjective tastes and all manner of variables inevitably leading to differing conclusions!

 

The conclusions found in this one instance have absolutely no bearing on what you would determine with the same two units in your system.

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