Aurender A Series DAC Performance


I’m shopping for a streamer and also an upgrade to my Benchmark DAC3. So what’s the quality of the Aurender A200 and A20 DACs compared to a streamer and separate DAC. The Aurenders use the AKM DACs   
 

If I were to get a separate DAC probably would be one that has a streamer in it such as Meitner MA3. But those DAC streamers don’t have internal storage which I would like. Plus The caching for playback and dedicated apps. 
 

Anyone with same decision process?

jfrmusic

Showing 1 response by glennewdick

I've had the older A10 and the DAC was not as good as the one in my mac preamp C2700, DAC2 board, not sure if the newer ones are better but in my experience the DAC can be bested by an external DAC in the $2000 range. I doubt the Aurender DAC is going to be better then your benchmark, different maybe better no. 

I've had a bunch of streamers (Roon Nucleolus, Aurender A10, Chord, PC, etc) now and if I was honest with you, get an external DAC and separate streamer. The DAC will be the week spot in the streamer from my experience so your much better getting an external DAC. I ended up with a Chord external DAC. 

Also for streamers they are all very close to sounding the same if your DAC has good isolation etc. So find one you like the software for that to me is more important for long term satisfaction then anything else, if your DAC is external and well isolated. 

The Aurender app is lacking IMO as well.