Many members looking for music servers/streamers consider pre-owned Aurenders and struggle with a decision on which of their lower end models to choose. I recently upgraded from an Aurender N100H to the new N200 and I will provide you with MHO of the improvements to help describe the dramatic differences the change has made. My system this analysis was conducted on is listed on the site (still listing the N100H). My purchase of the preowned Aurender was through TMRAUDIO. Shout out to Eric.
The most evident change is the command over the musical performance, presenting a more relaxed presentation but with a driving rhythmic force, that is at the same time liquid and flowing in a much more realistic sense. Also most evident is more natural timbre. The liquidity and flow is coherent, across all registers and instrument types, including cymbals that are produced realistically, with detail and no artificial harshness. The liquid and flowing presentation is with increased detail, not like some other equipment that trade detail for smoothness. Micro-dynamics and macro-dynamics also much improved. Macro-dynamics produce a punch that an be felt as well as heard. This produces bass that is much more detailed. Leading edge is crisp and sharp. All of this in combination with improved image density, darker space between performers, staging, and harmonic decay/secondary harmonics the lyrical intent of Wonderful performer/composer is brought into greater light. Recording techniques are evident. Sound stage projects further into the listening room, both front to back, and side to side. Hall ambience (or artificial reverb effects depending upon the recording), are more evident, probable from much improved harmonic decay and a lower noise floor producing a blacker background. This is not to say the N100H is subpar. It is a phenomenal performer for the price that I have enjoyed for 3 years. It is simply the N200 with better linear power supplies, lower power processor and other changes is superior. Some listening notes are below.
For the past two years I have been building my retirement I will not be able to make improvement after this due to being on a fixed income. This upgrade made a significant improvement in SQ. I would still like to improve my DAC. Any recommendations in the <10k range, new or pre-owned would be helpful. I hope this comparison helps those contemplating the purchase of an N200 steamer. Remember, to audition and use your own ears for this description is based on my preferences for an up front, present sound rather than a laid back presentation that many AGers like and it was also based on the N200 in my system.
Listening Notes:
Neil Young, Live at Massey Hall 1971, Helpless, Reprise, QoBuz High Resolution Stream: Audience is projected deep into the sound stage with back of hall evident. Door closing mid track much further back, with greater detail and dynamics. Body of the guitar vs. strings more evident. Leading edge of cords sharp. Emotional inflections of voice more evident. Image denser. PRAT seems slower but not in a negative sense, but with more purposeful and deliberate timing. Very relaxed, deliberate and realistic. Overall more fluid and rhythmic. It’s like being there.
Billie Eilish, Happier the Ever (Explicit), Getting Older and I Didn’t Change My Number, Darkroom-Interscope Records, QoBuz High Resolution Stream: Yes members do not criticize me for the choice but this is a great test record even though it is studio produced effects. Tone, detail, inflection of her voice best I have heard to date. Micro-detailed but relaxed, liquid and natural. Bass powerful and extremely detailed with the primary and secondary harmonics vivid. The air and decay around her voice and instruments so vivid where you can tell the individual microphone/studio. Yes, it is studio effects being reproduced but extremely pleasing to hear this level of detail retrieval. Staging extremely deep and each image separate in its own environment.
Chantel Chamberland, Autobiography, Hit the Road Jack, Evosound, QuBuz High Resolution Stream: Dynamics, dynamics and more dynamics. Leading edge of sax so crisp, Bass detail and harmonics. Voice inflections. Flow liquid and smooth as cumulus clouds on a clear high pressure day. Images dense a lead but nimble and flowing like a fast moving stream. Black space between performers. Timbre so lifelike.
Tuvayhun, Beatitudes for a Wounded World, X-The Face of God, 2L Recordings; Native DSD 128: Inspirational performance enhanced by the improved SQ. Leading edge of the cimbalon and percussion instruments so sharp and pronounced in the best way, and the dynamics so punchy they can be felt. The flute and harp floating, sweet, dense, emotional. The individual voices of the Nadaros Cathedral Girls Choir separated with air and space between them. The back wall of the cathedral and the hall ambience vivid. The command of the music, with liquidity and flow so beautiful. I repent.
Don Shirley, Water Boy, Water Boy, Columbia-Legacy; QoBuz 14:44 Stream, The bass detail, harmonic decay, detail more realistic. The snap of the stick on the skin of the drum detailed, dynamic, punchy, realistic. The image density thick, the piano hammer and sound board evident. Excellent flow of the ebbs and tides of the performance. So lifelike.
