The conductor app is pretty bad. Lightning DS is so much better than conductor, and IMO Auralic makes a better streamer/server. Both of these apps can’t compare to Roon in functionality and sq. If not Roon then audirvana.
If you are looking for the best sq, why are you using usb? Been there, done that years ago with the Auralic with lightning DS, will never go back until usb gets way better. Terrible interface for music and your better designers don’t recommend using usb.
Aurender N20
Wow, just received my used N20, installed a 2TB 870EVO SSD and downloaded Conductor. Uploaded 72GB of purchased and ripped CD files from my Synology NAS. Connected to Qobuz and I must admit, I wasn’t prepared for what I heard. I thought that my fiber isolated, upgraded power supply iFi Zen Stream was really good, but it is no where near as good as the Aurender and I’m just listening to AES. Upsampling was set to 176.4K and so I went with it. I purchased from an experienced Dealer, so I went with his bang for the buck DH Labs AES and USB cables, which he doesn't sell. Evidently, they punch above their price point.
Local media and Qobuz sound equally stunning. This gets close, or rivals my analog system and that is saying something.
Complaints so far.. no information regarding bit rate of music. I’m use to Roon and this is not Roon..not even close. I think that with Qobuz I can make playlists with quality high bitrate music and import the playlists.
Anyway, if I would have heard the N20 first, I would not have anguished over spending the money. Again, having a good dealer, or trusted friend really makes the difference. Time to burn in the cable(s).