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

Awesome! Enjoy! 

@audphile1 ​@tvad 

Problem solved.  Reinstalled again today, V4 now easily connects.  

@wlutke here’s what I’m thinking - all user who’ve reported issues with conductor v4 crashing are users with old iPads and iPhones that run on the iOS that can’t support the v4. What the Aurender tech team can do though is not allow the v4 to be installed on the older devices. Or just don’t open the app if it’s already installed. It’s easy to do and would eliminate a ton of users claiming the Conductor app is horrible because it’s not. It’s actually very decent.

@jbuhl

Thank you! I added them this early morning, 4am now. It was easy. I’ll have a listen later today.

@lalitk

Thanks!

@audphile1

Thanks! The iPad is a sixth gen. Most likely too old.

@tvad

Thanks! N200 is up to date. App Store says V3 is for older iPads so won’t pursue it. Good link.

@wlutke finally! Congratulations!!! Glad to hear you like it. It’s a great streamer. 
Break in is about 200hrs. 
 

Puzzling issues with v4 though. What version iOS is on your iPad? It nay be because it’s old?

@wlutke 

Love the outcome and glad to hear you’re happy with your blind buy! 

If you’re going to store music, I highly recommend Samsung’s 870 EVO 2TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-77E2T0B/AM) from Amazon.  

Tweak away my friend and enjoy the ride! 

@wlutke add the below link for the RadioParadise FlAC link with Metadata.

http://stream.radioparadise.com/flacm

mother earth converts vinyl to high res digital

https://motherearth.streamserver24.com/listen/motherearth/motherearth

The n200 became mine yesterday, drop shipped from Korea.  Heavy!  I was stymied after the app and box couldn't find each other, then dropped V4 Conductor and went V3.  Success!  The app is intuitive, no glitches, iPad.  Many 44.1 radio stations and does play our favorite station.  The sound? 

What I’m reading about better streamers is an increase in dimensionality, separation, focus, realism and effortless delivery for a given resolution.

I couldn't have said it better myself.  

Still on the agenda - usb test, cd test, break in.  

How to - find a radio stream url for adding a station.

From app to sound, the Aurender has completely buried the the little U2 mini.  What a relief.  It was a blind purchase.

@signaforce , sent you a message.

Robert

Great advice and info on this thread.  I obtained the N 200 a few months back and the "coaching" from @lalitk & Juan @blisshifi was spot on.  Happy with this in my system and both Conductor with Qobuz are bullet proof.  Can't wait to see the impressions the OP has once his Aurender arrives. 

@traubr 

Thanks. I own NOS Telefunken Medical, Siemens nickel plate & Brimar CV4003. I swapped out the Tele’s for the Siemens. They are bright, but eminently clean & clear unlike the Tele’s. Will try the Brimar’s next. Would like to hear your thoughts on the Mullards. @blisshifi Seems to know tubes! Thanks 

@signaforce 

I understand this thread is for an Aurender N200 but since you asked, and since the esteemed @blisshifi responded, I will throw my 2 cents in.  I just got a Rogue RP-7 preamp.  It is very clear and resolving, but I find with the stock tubes the sound is bright and glaring in my system, to the point I have to wear sunglasses while listening.  @blisshifi recommended the Brimars and Mullard NOS tubes to me, among others.  Mullards are coming Wednesday, and I can report back if interested.

Robert

That sucks…

“I wish it wasn’t held up in transit” 

Initial thoughts?

It should  arrive today.

Scratch that I missed the AES part…can’t use it with n200. 

When’s the N200 coming? 
By the way I used Nordost H2 power cord on my N200 and it was great! Never tried the H2 digital cables. Give both cables a try with the n200 though as you never know - synergy is a funny beast. Also make sure to give a good USB cable a try as well. 

@audphile1

I would suspect cables (power, ICs, speaker), DAC or speakers.
What cables are you using?

Ah, right on the money. In preparation for the arrival of the n200 tomorrow, I received a 2m Wireworld Silver Starlight 8 spdif.  The larger chassis of the Aurender will need a new home a bit further from the Pass. Got the mini hooked up and right out of the box it’s a revelation over the Nordost Heimdall 2 AES. The top is controlled, gorgeous mids, tighter bass. The overall presentation is impressive. Now for the n200!

@tvad 

Would you please share your thoughts on Roon vs Conductor in terms of SQ? What device are you using for Roon Core. Thank you! 

@blisshifi 

Thank you!!

@signaforce Though I’ve heard other Rogue preamps, I have no experience with the RP-1. In this case, you’re talking about 12AU7 vs the OP’s 6922 (and complements), so sonic qualities are a bit different.

The Brimar CV4003 is one of my favorite 12AU7s for its warmth, harmonics and sweeter top end, though I wish they had just a bit more sparkle up top. The Siemens you are getting are great as well. NOS Mullards seem to be quite coveted, and I had them in a Primaluna amp years ago. They had the qualities of the Brimar with a bit better top end. I should have kept them. 

@blisshifi 

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

@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. 

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.

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'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.

Owned two Aurender products, great products, great company. It will be interesting to see how they integrate roon. Make sure you like the conductor app before you commit. The innous sense app is superior and sounds better (IMO). Both great options.

@tvad As I mentioned, it’s not available to all beta testers. In the email I received, there are instructions on how to request for the support team to install it on my floor units. They have to manually remote in and update the firmware. I will be submitting a request on Monday, though it may take a few days for them to complete based on their queue. 

Yeah, fix your sources. Tidal or Qobuz, recommend over Roon. 

@tvad I am using Conductor 4.10.8 on my N30SA. I have not yet submitted a request to upgrade it to Roon Ready and will try to do so this coming week. Per Aurender’s email to me, it requires 4.10 to work. 

I'm very happy with my A30 [2021] and W20SE [2022] in our systems.  We use Qobuz and the Hard Drives.   The Conductor interfaces with my iPhone and iPad are very good, not as easy as JRiver but still good.

Came late to this thread, but I purchased an N200 over the past year and have never looked back. I hesitate to say it is the last streamer I ever need to buy with my modest system (Meitner, Enleum, Nordost, ProAc), but I’ve found no flaws and am still amazed when I get to sit down and listen after a few days away.

I’m sure you’ll be very happy with your purchase.

You can upgrade the U2 Mini power supply for a very high quality one with c. $500

Why did you want to be talked out of N200 to begin with?

I love my N200... it has only had one issue and they took care of it remotely .  It sounds great and is built like a tank.  

I got a deal I couldn't pass up, I was looking at streamers half the price..   I leveraged a trade on a preamp I was trying to sell plus $800 out of pocket so for.me it was a no brainer 

Support is excellent,  you can be involved in Beta software or opt out .   

Build quality?   Pick any Aurender up or look under the hood.  Built better than many components out there.   High quality across the range , all built to the same standard. 

@lalitk did all that a while back. Registered. It’s fine thanks though. I thought I would miss Roon more than I do…not a big deal. 

Bummer. We keep waiting then….

@audphile1 and @tvad it looks like you have to be an Aurender dealer or industry partner to enable Roon at the moment, and it requires submitting a support ticket with validating info. So this is still not available to all beta testers yet!

@audphile1 

delete the V4 app and download it again from App Store. The initial setup should prompt you for option to sign up as beta user. Unless Aurender took that option away, that’s how I recalled to be their beta user for the app. 

@lalitk I did that a while ago. No dice.

I compared DH Labs D750 spdif to Aurender USB and preferred USB. And the DH cable is a really well made and good sounding digital interconnect. To me USB sounds better but definitely try both. 

@wlutke 

Do you use HiFishark to monitor the market and past sales?  You don't know for sure what things sell for but you see what they were last listed at.  There were two on USAM a couple weeks ago for $4600 & $4000.  Hopefully your discount is in that ballpark.  It's good to know the market well so you can unload something for a reasonable loss/gain if it doesn't impress.  Good luck!

@wlutke

That was my experience as well. The magic doesn’t happen until you step up to Tyr2 level in Nordost lineup. Fortunately, at Tyr2 price, there are so many options to consider, I end up going with Audience Au24SE at that point in time. 

I am in much better place now with Combak’s Hijiri cables. This is one of the upgrades that would stay in my system for a very long time!

@audphile1 

Good to hear the supplied usb cable is decent.  I plan on trying spdif and usb - my preference is musicality over technical superiority.  Extended FR, focus and definition mean nothing to me if it sacrifices foot tapping.  I have and have used Nordost interconnects and found Tyr2 to be OMG better than Frey2, but wow, the OMG cost.

@lalitk 

Thanks for the encouragement.  

Everyone else: 

Thanks for the encouragement, suggestions, observations and opinions.  It has been a whirlwind.