2. digital
  3. 192337-138624

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
stievus's avatar
stievus
71 posts
 

@hickamore You might also consider their newest, cheaper device, the Metronome DSC Mini.

benzman's avatar
benzman
412 posts
 

I have never heard of any Sabre based Dac described as warm. What is the rest of your system?  Don’t sleep on the T&A Dac 200. Find one pre owned and check it out. Easy to listen to yet all the detail/resolution/transparency you need. Whole nother  level from the Bricasti M3 it replaced. 

hickamore OP
668 posts
 

@benzman T+A Dac 200 ----> tube preamp ----> Class A SS amp?

jimboman
96 posts
 

@audphile1  

thanks for the DM.  Yes, it’s the $2500 M3H unit in LA.

the seller doesn’t think it has an MDx board in it…but either way, I’m looking forward to adding it to my system.

does yours have the Ethernet board? I have a Lumin U2, and am thinking of trying AES to compare with the dedicated USB output (on U2).

any recommendations for AES XLR cables?

many thanks.

JAMES

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,124 posts
 

@jimboman check your messages I replied there. I would bet a good USB would be better than AES but worth trying. Good AES not sure…haven’t tried anything recently except DH Labs which was decent. 
 

More to discover