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

The following DACs are highly compatible with the Aurender N200’s capabilities in delivering high-resolution files and managing noise effectively.

R2R

  • Denafrips Pontus 15th / Venus 15th – Highly regarded for natural, analog-like sound.
  • Holo Audio Spring 3 (Level 2 or KTE) – Exceptional detail and tonal richness, suitable for audiophiles.
  • MSB Discrete DAC – Modular design, excellent for upgrades; very high-end performance.
  • Rockna Wavelight DAC – Smooth, organic, and precise sound reproduction.

Delta-Sigma chip based

  • Chord Qutest / Hugo TT2 – Known for transparency and detail retrieval.
  • Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ – Offers a neutral and detailed sound signature with a robust feature set.
  • Benchmark DAC3 – Clean, accurate, and neutral presentation, ideal for reference listening.
  • T+A DAC 200 – A hybrid approach delivering both precision and warmth.

Hybrid or Tube-based

  • LampizatOr Amber 4 – Tube-based design for warm, lush sound.
  • Audio Note DAC 2.1x – Purely musical with a minimalist approach.
  • PS Audio DirectStream DAC MKii – FPGA-based, highly resolving and smooth sound.
  • Weiss DAC502 – High-end DAC with precision and great functionality.
  • LTA Aero DAC – Tube output stage with low output impedance

High-End (these might be over your budget but worth consideration one day you become rich

  • dCS Bartók – Renowned for advanced technology and unparalleled soundstage.
  • dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC – dCS flagship DAC
  • Mola Mola Tambaqui – Compact, highly resolving, and extremely dynamic.
  • Esoteric N-05XD – Matches the refinement of the Aurender N200  perfectly.
  • Luxman DA-06 – Offers a smooth, musical presentation with excellent build quality

I'm using my Aurender N200 with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC via USB and I'm very happy. I did try coaxial but thought the USB sounded better.

we sell a  large number of dacs: naim, nad,chord,bricasti, aqua hifi, and a few others 

 

we recommend you look at an aqua hifi lascala for a number of reasons:

 

Extremely musical r to r design with a tube output stage:

unlike many r to r designs the lascala has incredible resolution while  having a lush midrange.

accepts high res pcm and dsd

is completely modular and upgradable so as technology improves the dac can evolve.

 

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

aqua hifi dealer