Aurender N200 - DAC compatability

@curiousjim

I have some questions about your setup since I plan to have a similar one (Aurender to Denafrips) with either the N200 or N20 ( I am still undecided if the N20 is worth the extra money over an N200).
My connection setup:
Windows 10 i5 computer with Audirvana, USB to Denafrips Gaia DDC., XLR to Denefrips Terminator DAC, and XLR to PS Audio BAK Signature Pre Amplifier (a tubed input stage).  Most of my audio listening is through a streaming service.

Before I go any further, I must admit that my current setup with the Windows computer sounds wonderful, with great clarity and detail.  I am looking for a better sound stage and bass.  I do not know if any streamer can give this to me.

A few questions:
1) Did you compare the N200 to any other streamer before you purchased it?
2) What does the N200 do that you really like?
3) Is there anything that you feel you are missing?
4) What type of cables are you using to connect your boxes?

Thank you for your time and response.

@pgreene ,

I have an N200 and I plugged into my Denifrips DAC and it worked fine.  I never gave it a thought. How old is your DAC? Maybe it can work on some generic drivers?
All the best.

Good way to approach it! There’s a lot of high res content on Qobuz that sounds incredible with N200. I rarely go to my library to play DSD  

Thanks for the info!

My DAC is capable of processing up to native DSD256 and will indicate same on its front panel. Aurender support say they 'cannot make it work' which threw me a bit as I thought they took pride in being compatible with anything thrown at them.

I get that DoP will unpack the DSD file and am experimenting. It won't spoil my enjoyment of the music! :-)

Cheers

OP go into N200 settings, Advanced. Switch off Native DSD. It will send DoP (dsd over pcm) to your DAC. It should be fine. 

We are a an Aurender dealer. I have had a couple of DAC's that did not jive with the Aurender at first. However, their support team can help. Also, Aurender should be able to play DSD up to 128

Check this link out: https://ask.aurender.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026675894-How-can-I-contact-Aurender-Technical-Support to get your DAC going - they can remote in and update the 200.

Also, see this: 

Aurender uses DoP (DSD over PCM) to send DSD files to DoP-compatible digital-to-analog convertors. Since DoP uses a PCM data stream, a DSD64 file will display at 176.4kHz, and a DSD128 file will display 352.8kHz on the Aurender Conductor app readout. Note that the receiving DoP-compatible DAC still reads the DSD file natively, as the PCM stream is simply acting as a transport for the original data. 

For further information regarding DoP, refer to the following links: 
http://www.dcsltd.co.uk/support/what-is-dop-dsd-over-pcm/
http://dsd-guide.com/dop-open-standard

This is clearly a DAC USB board compatibility issue not streamer. I dealt with this before when I owned ARC DAC-9. It will not play high resolution files through USB. I end up selling the DAC-9 and got a DAC that can play high resolution files, problem solved.

IMHO, avoid the path of digital down or up conversion…there is no substitute for feeding digital bits in its native resolution to your DAC for final conversion to analog, especially DSD files.

The spec says

It's probably to keep cost down.  Like the down grading of the spdif clock.  Spend more, get more.  Spend less..