Aurender N10 compared to Bryston BDP2

Good question, I'll like to see the responses that will follow. 

I just ordered a N-10 to replace my Bryston BDP-2
I'll be able to tell you in about a week.
I believe it's going to sound better. But mainly I'm tired of the problems with the Bryston interface. Artwork doesn't change, Tidal interface mediocre, music delays and skips when changing bit rates while playing through USB cable, etc etc
I just wanted a higher quality product.
I'll let you know about sound in a couple of weeks

I've talked to a couple people regarding the N10 versus the BDP2. I've concluded that it isn't worth the price difference to me and I'm going to update my BDP2. In addition, I've decided to replace my SVS SB13 Ultra subs, with JL Audio  F110s.

ricred1:  From your above post. I see you decided to update your Bryston BDP2 so the information provided below on the N10 may not be useful. However, I decided to include it to help others that are either thinking about the Aurender N10 or already own it.

My Aurender N10 Music Server is a welcomed addition to my audio system.  My system sounds more open, more natural, clearer, better bass and I am very happy I purchased the unit. The ability to switch back and forth between Tidal music streaming and my stored albums in the App is now a very easy process (one mouse click).  The Aurender iPAD app is much easier to use than my MAC Book Pro computer.  Album selection is also excellent with several different album selection choices available.  It was also easy to install and setup.  The Aurender N10 Music Sever is highly recommended for its great sound quality and ease of use.

And yes, the addition of a music sever in a system is a little more complicated but the instructions I provided below should get you started.  Actually, it is not that difficult to transfer the music to the Aurender.  You attach your external hard drive to the Aurender and it copies everything over (and please keep reading).

Please note that iTunes does NOT STORE the album cover art within the song folder but "HIDES" it in another encrypted and hidden folder.  This means the Aurender setup coming from iTunes requires you to run Doug Scripts to extract the album cover art in your transfer (http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=savealbumartjpeg).

NOTE-1: If you are using iTunes, you have to download the Extract to Folder.jpg Script from Doug Scripts (cost is $1.99). The Script run process is vey easy but it takes time depending on the number of albums.   This script is required since it stores the album cover art image in the correct location and includes the correct name (Folder.jpg) for handling by the Aurender.

NOTE-2:  Please read the "Save Album Art as folder.jpg v3.4" instructions carefully. You have to set up a new folder named Scripts (within the iTunes library) so the script can run from within iTunes.  iTunes will not let this script run for a large number of albums.  I suggest you test with 4-8 albums at a time and see what happens. The script runs very fast.

NOTE-3:  Please note you can easily connect your computer to the Aurender file structure using the Finder Go Connect to Server tab. The iPad settings menus provide the necessary information (IP address, user name & password). This is very easy to do. This is how you delete files on the Aurender and also add or correct the Folder.JPG images files.

NOTE-4: If some of your albums do NOT have cover art, you have to manually add the album metadata (other automated options may be available).  You Google the album name plus “CD Image”, find the image, move it to the Desktop, change its name to Folder.jpg and move it to the Aurender song folder (be careful to place it in the right location after the last song).  The Aurender iPAD app is much easier to use if your albums have cover art.  This process is not hard but take some time depending on the number of albums. A good estimate is 2-4 minutes per album (my times).

NOTE-5:  You might need to ask your dealer (or friends) for help with the album transfer to the Aurender.  Unfortunately, I had to determine most of these instructions myself to compete my album transfer including the album cover art.  If you are unclear, please ask for help (if needed).   I had to delete my transferred albums on the Aurender twice before I got it right.  My instructions above should ensure you get it right the first time.

 

 

When I finished transferring my albums to the Aurender, I immediately backed up my Aurender files to my LaCie hard drive & also to my Seagate hard drive.  I spent too much time building my album database so I backed it up twice.

As a test, I ripped 5 CD’s to a USB Flash drive, ran the “Extract to Folder.JPG” Script in iTunes to extract the missing album cover art for these albums.  Two of these albums were missing album cover art so I used Google search to find the album cover art as I described above.   The album transfer to the Aurender worked perfectly.  

I understand the Aurender N10 is more user friendly, but my concern is purchasing it without the opportunity to compare it directly to the BDP2. Even if I had the opportunity to compare the two, I wouldn't purchase the N10 unless there was a night and day difference between them regarding sound quality.

1+ hgeifman.  

N10 is an amazing player, I strongly recommend a audition at your local dealer and you will know why everyone love this player.  

I bet the N10 is fantastic, but I've decided to get a pair of JL Audio F110s and JL Audio CR-1. I'll just have to make it with the BDP-2.:) I'm done for now.