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

The power supplies mean a lot ,do you hav3 a good linear-power supply supply on the nuk ?  Why not try a innuos Streamer they have a mini ,and a separate LPS 

great interface , and to be fair play tital on both units ,foron some music QObuz 

has better recordings.

I see five types on these forums:

1) Audiophiles, hobbyists. These are enthusiasts who love sharing their equipment, experiences, what they have learned, and hearing about other’s experiences and equipment.

2). The Cynics.  Those who love poking at the number 1’s with derision and calling to doubt any claims of high fidelity.

3) Self appointed experts.  They make claims in defiance of the experiences of the number 1’s based on their own beliefs and work background in IT, Electronics, fast food preparation, etc.

4). The ASR crowd.  This group believes if it can’t be measured with a FFT Analyzer, then it doesn’t exist.  They claim to use “science” to come to their misguided conclusions ignoring reality.

5) Those who lurk in the shadows.  They read these forums but never post a comment.  Creepy.

Let’s start with the musicians.  Why would a musician choose to sacrifice to buy a multi-thousands of dollars instrument over a basic instrument costing hundreds of dollars.  They do it for the better sound and the pleasure it gives them making music with that instrument.  If someone else hears the difference or not is inconsequential.

Tony…these categories are the foundation of all internet forums…be it audio, cars, photo gear, motorcycles, guns, etc.

that’s how it is. But I do think you missed one category. 🧌 must feel left out…

Accidentally fell on this thread. I have a fanless NUC i7 8th gen with an MSB Discrete DAC with renderer module and wondering if getting an Antipodes K22. Now I have doubts….

@ricco275 I wouldn't.  I remember reading a John Atkinson review of an upper tier Innuos server, in which he stated that the Innous sounded excellent, but not considerably better than a far less costly Roon Nucleus + server he had reviews previously.

@pdreher how about a streamer in between the NUC and the MSB DAC? I don’t have files. Only Qobuz from Roon.

@tonywinga I’m a bad musician and waste too much money in my guitars and audiophile stuff but… hey, we live once.

I hear you. 

@ricco275 I use an IFi Zenstream as the ROON endpoint between a Roon Nucleus and Weiss 202 DAC, steaming Qobuz exclusively. I’ve had far more expensive digital streamers (Aurender N10), but the sound quality and dependability of this affordable solution leaves me wanting for nothing. Also connecting via ethernet direct to your residence primary router is important as well.

@pdreher I understand your POV. Do you have a network switch too?

I use a very inexpensive switch recommended by @jjss49 https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-GREENnet-Switching-Protection/dp/B001QUA6R0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2X4IKS0ZZ0E2Q&keywords=trendnet%2Bunmanaged%2Bswitch&qid=1706977702&sprefix=trendnet%2Bunmanaged%2Bswitch%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-2&th=1