Aurender N10

As you can see from above, the selection of a music server is not an easy decision or process. It seems, everyone has a different server recommendation.  I suggest you make a list of the important features your music server needs and your questions.  For example, please review:

1) What is your maximum price range? 
2) What features does your server need?   For example, I wanted my CD albums stored in the same box, wanted Tidal, Qobuz Streaming Services and also Internet radio stations. And, the ability to add more additional streaming services when they become available. 
3) Do you want a DAC built into the streamer or a separate DAC?   For maximum flexibility, I decided on an external DAC. 
4) What digital outputs do you need?  I decided on a Music streamer with both USB and AES/EBU digital outputs to my DAC.  In most cases, I prefer the AEB/EBU connection. 
5)  Is a Roon interface important to you?  If needed, you need a Roon enabled server. I decided that Roon was not required.  In my case, the Aurender Conductor App has what I need. However, several of my friends purchased a Roon enabled server. 
6)  Your server needs a controlling App that runs on an iPad or something similar.  You need to review the App to ensure it supports your needs to easily manage your music selections. 
7) Sound quality is very important.  In my case, I asked many questions, talked to many people, read many reviews and auditioned various servers to help me make the right decision. 

I hope the above helps you make a decision.  

I know what Metronome is but haven’t read much about it. It looks promising, but I’d have to find one in the used market because I’d never pay $12k for a server. That’s my fear with servers in general, tech is changing so rapidly. I’m dating myself, but I was an audiophile when the first CD players were introduced in the early '80s. Technology changed so quickly, especially in the early 90’s that any CD player you bought would be bested by something else 2 years later and within 4 years it was worth 25% of what you paid for it.

Thought about Metronome maybe?

ihmeyers

Aurender N10

I’m considering purchasing a music server.

Do you homework.
I don’t know if the A10 and N10 are similar circuits in this regard if both do MQA, but it was quite disconcerting that they did this.

JA Stereophile "However, the A10’s misapplication of the MQA reconstruction filter to non-MQA files stored on its internal drive means we must withhold a full recommendation for the A10 until this problem has been corrected."

This to me smells, to hobble anything that’s non MQA.

Good on ya JA for not withholding it.

Cheers George

Thanks all.  Dumb question involving Bridge II.  I apologize, I have a lot of PC experience but have never done this before.  Please tell me if I have
this right.
1) Bridge II installs in expansion port of PS Audio DSD.
2) Purchase NAS.  Copy music library to it.  NAS plugs into router (or does it need to plug into a PC?)
3) Using Roon app, send music from NAS server (that can be discovered through the app no matter where I am in the house) to Bridge II.
Is this correct?  Can I use the Roon app on an IPAD or should I buy a laptop for that?  It looks like I can get a good 1TB SSD drive for about $700.  Bridge is $900 so we're looking at $1600 before cables.  I'd love to know how the Bridge II compares to the Aurender?  Someone who has a Bridge II that bought a Lumin U-1 (expecting it to be better) said the Bridge was the Lumin's equal and is now selling the Lumin.
Thanks again.

@ihmeyers 

I just wrote three or four paragraphs and Agon' decided it didn't want to save it.

Nutshell - The N10 is very capable, with ease, dynamics, amazing 3D soundstage and musician placement - you can hear them just where they are on stage.

I agree with @lalitk in that if you have a very high resolution system you will be very rewarded in the N10.

The N10 is also significantly better than the A10 as a server; it is very easy to hear the difference. It just has that ease about it that draws you into the music.

I haven't heard the PS Audio compared to the N10 though I have heard the PS Audio transport/DAC at the same dealer. It would be the best of both worlds if you could compare the bridge to the N10 but I also don't fool myself it'd be easy for you to do in your situation.

Anyway, have fun along the way and hope you find the audio component that meets all your audio wants. Cheers

if you like your PS Audio gear, I would suggest getting their DS with the bridge ii and you don't need the N10 or any other streamer. I got rid of my dedicated streamer and went with the DS with bridge ii with roon front end and it sounds so much better. I use a mac mini that has 26TB of disk space to store my ripped music and runs Roon. You don't want a pc/mac/streamer with disks in your audio room, with the bridge II, you are using your hi-speed internal network for connectivity

Antipodes

I own the Aurender N10 Music Server and like it very much.  I usually listen to Tidal Streaming for its outstanding sound quality.  My stored CD albums also sound excellent. 

The Aurender Conductor App is very easy to use.  It is very easy to switch between stored CD’s, Tidal Streaming, Internet radio (listen to the Radio Paradise station at 320kbps) and Qobuz when it becomes available in the USA.  The Conductor App already supports Qobuz when it becomes available in the USA. 

The Aurender N10 also supports MQA coded albums including a MQA search feature.  The App provides various sort options for handling your stored CD’s. 

Aurender Customer Support is excellent.  I have contacted them with requests and also questions on the operation of the Aurender. 

I strongly recommend you audition the N10.  I do not know how it compares to the PS Audio Transport.  I highly recommend the Aurender N10 music server. 

Thanks.  I can burn the CDs.  I listen to downloaded music more than Redbook anyway.  I'm just getting mixed opinions from people on it.  While everyone says it's a very good server, some say it will equal my transport in sound quality, while others say it's convenient but won't be as good as my PS Audio transport.

Aurender N10 is one of the best streaming server currently available under $10K but it won’t spin CD’s. If spinning CD’s is somewhat your priority then you should explore other options. 

IMHO, if you purchase N10 you won’t be comprising on sound quality as long as your downstream components and speakers are capable of revealing high resolution sound. 

Good luck!