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DAC for Aurender N200

For past 2 years I have been running Aurender N200 into Musical Fidelity M6s DAC. The DAC is built like a tank and very versatile, but I must connect via coax since Aurender clock is superior to DAC clock.
Well, I am ready to upgrade DAC for SQ reasons and presently inclining to PSAudio MkII for US mfr, good reviews, good service, current bargain price.
Q1: What DAC (<$8k) would you consider an optimal match for the N200?
Q2: N200 has very few outputs compared with other streamers in its price class.
I know Aurender has always inclined to USB. All else being equal, is USB the best output?

 

hickamore

Showing 3 responses by vthokie83

vthokie83
1,010 posts
 

Audioman58 currently has the Denafrips Terminator 15th AND the Denafrips Hermes DDC combination for sale at $6,095 until Christmas. Basically a $9,000 Terminator Plus and a $1,300 Hermes DDC.....if I were ready and had the funds right now, I'd pull the trigger on that combo.

vthokie83
1,010 posts
 

Fred,

I thought you did, that's a really nice system for sure.

A couple of observations. I did not realize how much room treatment you had, and I did not realize the Legacy speakers were so big.....nice nice nice.

vthokie83
1,010 posts
 

I've heard the Aurender N200 with a Denafrips Terminator Plus R2R DAC, and an N10 with a Chord Hugo in other people's systems. I also have had the N10 and N200 in my system with a Denafrips Pontus II DAC. I must admit that to my ears, R2R DACs are my preference.

I did not enjoy the N10 with the Chord DAC, too bright and sibilant for me.....though I could see it being a good pairing in a "dark" system. I have found the same with other Chord DACs.

The N200 with a Denafrips Terminator Plus was absolutely brilliant, more detailed and revealing; but with all of that Denafrips R2R magic.....fun, dynamic, engaging, involving, enjoyable. I could live with that pairing without hesitation. The new Denafrips Terminator 15th at $6,100 is basically a Terminator Plus, and would probably be a good comparison as well.

In my system I really could not tell much difference between the N10 and the N200, both were wonderful with the Pontus II.....but nowhere as nice as the N200 & Terminator Plus combo my friend has. I did not have the Denafrips Iris DDC at the time, so I cannot comment on how that would've changed the demo if any.

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