DAC for Aurender N200

if coax sounds better than USB it means, in most cases, the DAC clock isn’t as good as the clock in the transport/streamer.

@hickamore I have compared the N200 via stock USB vs. via SPDIF using DH Labs digital cable. Yes the coax sounds a bit softer and it may appear to sound slightly more natural at first but the soundstage collapses in comparison and the dynamics are subdued. I haven’t used anything fancier than the DH Labs coax because I saw no point in it - USB sounds more resolving, more dynamic and destroys the coax in soundstage. I use Bricasti M3 DAC and it has a really nice DDS clock that the engineers at Bricasti optimized for their DACs.
I’ve upgraded to AQ Diamond initially and just moved from AQ to Stealth USB after comparing several USB cables. YMMV but you should experiment and determine for yourself in your system what works best for you

I’d second or third the recommendation of the Bricasti M1. I’ve been using this DAC for years because of its detailed but organic sound. Just as importantly, Bricasti really stands behind their stuff and the reason I’ve had mine for 8 years is their upgrade path. In the time I’ve had it, Bricasti has offered upgrades from free software upgrades, to power supply, Roon, and even a processor swap. Some I did myself and some I sent the unit back for. When I did the Roon upgrade, they swapped the whole back panel to add ethernet inputs. I had the unit back, VA to MA, to VA in 2 days. Remarkable! Used M1s are commonly available in the OP’s price range. I bought mine used and Bricasti treats me the same as an original owner.

Using an Ayre QB-9 DSD Twenty and Triode Wire Labs Passion USB with the Aurender N200. It sounds marvelous. 

Thanks,

aldnorab 

Agree , Canor is nice stuff.   I did not know that they did O.E.M. for other manufacturers