The rule of thumb is you have to try them to know, for the reasons @lalitk said.
I have a N100h and a W20SE. My N100H is connected to a USB DAC only. My W20SE sounds ever so slightly better through my AES connection to my ARC CD 9SE.
Does Aurender do Processing on S/PDIF Outputs?
Does anyone know if an Aurender N100C does signal processing on its S/PDIF outputs, other than the obvious decoding/unpacking of file data and then modulating the electrical signal? I just put the streamer in place and hear clear differences in tonal characteristics from my previous streamer (some good, some not so good),
I haven't had time time to make measurements, but I would not expect, for instance, a loss of low bass.
Any insight on Aurender streamer internals that could affect sound would be appreciated.
s.l.