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Aurender N10 and audiophile network devices

I’m new to computer audio but not new to high-end, so far I have been more traditional kind of guy.

I have decent turntable ( modded SME 20/2 ), decent heavily modified Tascam R2R, and heavily modified CDP AudioAero MKII.

My CDP does not sound that good like SME or tape but it is listenable and on good quality recording can sound pretty decent.

But since we have XXI already going for years, I have decided to give computer audio a try.

 

So after reading too many threads on different computer audio guru sites I have decided on Aurender N10.

It was supposed to be first Aurender which can sound better then CDP (enough for me), I do not expect digital to sound like analog.

I have bought for it Shunyata Zitron Alpha Digital decent SPIDF Tara Labs RS-1 cable to make it happy.

 

And here comes my surprise, it sounds flat, gray, only hi-res sound better on level with CD. My wife not an audiophile said it sound very boring.

I have invited audio buddies and we did blind tested my CDP and Aurender, nothing to compare CDP wins in spades.

N10  sounds much better when streaming from Tidal (go figure).

Sound from CD is much fuller, stronger has impact, sound from Aurendeer is very resolving but gray , thin sounding. Very uninviting.

To say that I’m disappointed is understatement. My other friend has another media server but it sound even  worse then Aurednder, 

So it is not generic to Aurender but to technology ?

As DAC I’m using internal AudioAero DAC. So basically I’m comparing Aurender transport vs AudioAero Transport. The some music (ripped CD to wav vs CD)

 

And one of my knowledgeable friends, told me that his acquaintance had the some problem, bought media server and was very disappointed, but instead of falling into despair he started looking for solution.

To control Aurender one need some wifi router. He changed power adapter of that router with some good quality lineal PSU (big change).

 

I have found on computer audio sites that connecting NAS and media servers to separate switch connected to router helps.

But it will not work for Aurender I have to control it using Aurender app so I need wifi router.

 

So buying i.e. AQVOX Audiophile High-End Gigabit will not work for AUrender. Does anybody have any advice what would help it make it more alive, sound bigger more colorful.

I’m not used to such thin and gray sound.

I’m cannot get how getting better PSU to some hifi router can help (it is just for controlling app),

How connecting NAS using expensive ethernet cables can help, Aurednder is streaming from internal HDD’s .

 

But I’m open for suggestions from somebody who owns AUrender or like and had similar problem and contrary to me have found satisfactory solution.

Thank you for reading.

Regards


sorlowski

Showing 6 responses by hgeifman

hgeifman
2,328 posts
 
Are your CD's stored on your Aurender in a 100% uncompressed format like AIFF?   If not, what format are you using?   How were they transferred to the Aurender N10?

Are you using the Shunyata Zitron Alpha Digital decent SPIDF Tara Labs RS-1 cable for connecting your Aurender N10 to your AudioAero DAC?  If yes, I suggest you try using an USB Cable and/or an AES/EBU cable instead for better sound quality.  I use the Snake River Audio Boomslang AES/EBU XLR digital cable and the Audience Au24 SE USB Cable for connecting my N10 to my DAC.   In most cases, I prefer the AES/EBU cable for slightly improved sound quality. 

What power cord are you using for the Aurender N10?  Is it connected direct to your wall plug or is it connected to another power switch box?

It is my opinion, based on my use of the Aurender N10, CD's played on your Aurender N10 should sound excellent.   We need to find out what is preventing this from happening.  
hgeifman
2,328 posts
 
I am not technical but, it seems, Steve’s comments above are similar to my comments about the S/PDIF cable you are using.   I was also told that digital cables should be 1.5 meters in length.  

My Snake River Audio Boomslang AES/EBU XLR digital cable is 1.5 meters in length.
hgeifman
2,328 posts
 
I forgot something.  Please go to your Aurender Settings (software upgrade tab) and update your software, if needed.  I just updated mine to 4.15.19. 

And, go to the Apple App Store and check to see if your Aurender Conductor App needs to be updated.  We need to confirm your Aurender software is current.  

If your Aurender Conductor App is acting strange (not working), delete it and re-install.  You will not lose any favorites or other settings. 
hgeifman
2,328 posts
 
The new version numbers are:

Aurender 4(5).15,19
Aurender Conductor App 2.9.13

The install time is less than 10 minutes.  Do the Aurender N10 first and then the Aurender Conductor App (from the Apple App Store).  
hgeifman
2,328 posts
 
@cerrot, above, makes a great suggestion. My Aurender N10 sounds terrific with stored AIFF CD’s and yours should too. 

Please double check all settings in all your devices to confirm everything is set correctly.  As you noted above, your cables and power cords are fine.   Please double check your Aurender Conductor App settings and also your electronics.   

>>. I am thinking about what else could impact the Aurender’s CD sound quality.  Please double check the settings you used when you ripped your CD’s to the N10.  

>> When you play a stored CD on the N10, what format is displayed on the screen?  Please confirm it is the correct uncompressed format. 

You stated above that Tidal streaming sounds great and the stored CD’s are the issue.  Is it possible there is something wrong with the Aurender’s CD playing mechanism?

>> The problem is probably caused by something very simple and we have to find it.  You could always take the N10 another system to help isolate the issue. This might help you figure out what is going on.

>> Another suggestion is to log an Aurender on-line remote support call reporting the CD sound issue (from the Conductor App).   This will enable Aurender Suport to remotely check your N10 to confirm it is working okay.  I did this once and they found the issue very quickly (it was an incorrect setting, and was my fault). 

I  hope someone else can suggest something.   Please keep us posted.

hgeifman
2,328 posts
 
@sorlowski, You received many suggestions above regarding the poor sound quality from your Aurender N10 Music Server when playing CD's.   Your exact words are "sound from Aurender is very resolving but gray, thin sounding. Very uninviting".   

I asked this above since I am very interested in knowing when you play a stored CD from the N10, what format is displayed on the screen?  Please confirm it is the correct uncompressed format.

I also suggested you log an Aurender on-line remote support call reporting the CD sound issue (from the Conductor App).  This will enable Aurender Support to remotely check your Aurender N10 to confirm it is working okay.  

Please keep us posted.  
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