aurender n10 or....?


I run a lynx card sets/ebu to Berkeley dac (original version. Not even use) to some ancient jrdg mono amps (thx Guido!) to a pair of audio physic scorpios.
I have grown frustrated with my homemade pc server and its penchant for dieing on my every 12mos or so. Soooo I am thinking of joining the rest of the world and picking up a more reliable way to get data to the Berkeley. I love my tidal and given my connectivity needs (aes/ebu) i was thinking I'd look at the aurender n10. Anyone have any other suggestions for my short list? The n10 at $8k is at the top end of what I would like to spend. Well, actually it is 2x what I would like to spend but if it is as good as I am told I'll sell some plasma.
thx!!!
jimmy3993

Showing 3 responses by jon2020

USB is horrible - you don’t want that.

Asynchronous usb has come a long way to date.

Even Thorsten Loesch of AMR/iFi fame, recommends usb over s/pdif despite his newly designed s/pdif Purifier :-

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/05/ifi-audios-spdif-ipurifier-debuts-at-fujiya-avic-spring-20...

"....... Loesch says this new unit isn’t for everyone. He still recommends end users go with USB should it remain available to them."
Well, I can’t argue with Loesch.
And I won’t argue with non-audio engineers too. :)
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/06/reference-grade-roon-with-the-antipodes-dx-gen-2/

I second the Antipodes suggestion.

Here's what the chief audio engineer/designer at Antipodes has to say about usb......

"According (to) our man in New Zealand the argument against Ethernet (and for USB) runs like this: compared to Ethernet, USB has the potential to carry more noise from the server to the DAC but generates less of its own noise inside the DAC (think: receiver chips). Ethernet remains a good strategy with a noisy server. However, it can be bested by USB when a low noise server with a decent clock is present. For more tech info on the why, consult Gordon Rankin’s take on USB audio here."