Aurender n200, talk me out of signing on the dotted line

I've had 6 different brands of streamer including an Aurender and sold them all because of the app. Aurender SQ was excellent but I had nothing but trouble with the Conductor app and customer service from Aurender was none existent. Reluctantly I decided to try Roon and bought a used Antipodes DX3. Roon is easily the best way of cataloging a music library, not perfect but the best currently available. I've since upgraded to an Antipodes CX and couldn't be happier. The SQ is better than the Aurender, it is Roon Ready and Roon core and the customer service is out of this world. Well done New Zealand.

I would suggest building a PC to be a music server and use the J River software. You could manipulate the sound to your preference rather than rely on their dedicated sound stage.

I have two N100H on two systems with Raidho X3 and Q500 speakers.

In both cases the Aurender is cleaner thah Raspbery Pi or UPNP, by a lot.

The conductor app is great, V3.

I tried a variety of internet cables , switches and Uptone etherregen.  No audible effect. I think the Aurender does a good job by itself.

Also, no difference anymore between locally stores or streamed hires Qobuz.

@blisshifi 
One other suggestion, having had a lot of experience with many of the components in your system, is to try different tubes in your Audio Mirror DAC. NOS Telefunken, despite their high reputation, deliver a hotter, more overdriven sound (not really overdriven, but very textured and gritty at times), that many people crave. The Audio Mirror itself is a very neutral DAC (Vlad is a close friend of mine and lives fairly close by), so perhaps try some 6922 variants that have a sweeter tone.

Very interesting comment. I have NOS Telefunken medical tubes installed in my Rogue preamp. I am experiencing the sound from them that you referenced. I had thought my problem had to be in another area of my system as everyone seems to love the Tele’s & most claim they are the ‘flattest’ of tubes. Rolling to NOS Siemens nickel plate today. We shall see. Thanks for your comment. 

@blisshifi 

Question, I also own NOS Brimar’s. What tubes, including and in addition to mine do you recommend?