Eversolo or Aurender: Options and Opinions

I would consider Aurender N150 and call it a day. N100 is now discontinued and dated in terms of SQ improvements offered in latest generation of Aurender streamers. 

I appreciate that you would consider the N150 and call it a day, but I am not you.

As I said. My budget is under $2,000.The N150 is a minimum of $3,000.

I’d get an Innuos Pulse Mini and a Teddy Pardo LPS and would be in your price range for both.  Great sound quality and Innuos is an established company with excellent customer service and comes with their outstanding Sense app.  Best of luck.

@tony1954 I wouldnt worry too much about it…alot of people buy great products and then sell them on when the next great product comes along. Its also a strange thing when some purchase a hot new product and expect it to solve all the other problems of their system. When it doesnt, they too sometimes sell it on.

 

Do you have an opportunity to hear any of your candidates in your system prior to purchasing? While I haven’t heard any of your selections or your gear, perhaps waiting until you have found a synergy in advance of purchase might pay dividends. The price range in which you are looking is very crowded.

In the $2k range I don’t think there is a more versatile product then the Eversolo A8

its much better then their a6 , AKM latest chipset and receiver 

and linear power supply on the Analog output stage plus a true resistive ladder output section ,not digital ,and a SS HD section .my wife bought one and I set it up 

for her. It has a nice sized screen the only thing lacking is it is not Roon certified yet 

it has been in the Q for 6 months now .their A6 is now certified,and it sounds almost R2R like in character when you use the slow filter,slow roll off 

and cool settings like a cd spinning like a record, or different meter type options for under $1900 a solid deal, put a good power cord on it and really comes Alive.

it has no fuses which is very good just a thermister,turn on and resistor relays .

@soix  Thanks. That is exactly what I was hoping for. I will add it to my list.

@ghasley I am in Canada, so there aren't the same opportunities to try and return equipment. I am also most likely going to buy used, so there is even less opportunity to hear an older model of a component.

What’s wrong with the Lumin?

You will be hard pressed to find better SQ except for direct comparisons.

@audioman58 

After researching possible reasons for the increased number of Eversolo products for sale, it seems to me that the overly complex controls and the glitchy Eversolo Control app are the weak points. When just listening to music, it seems to be a great product, but I have no need for anything but a digital streamer, so the onboard DAC and other bells and whistles are just needless expenses.

If you just need a $2k streamer 

the innuos makes a great little streamer with a SS drive and it has a matching LPS power supply you can upgrade  later and great app that sounds very good.

@tony1954

I made my recommendation based on your budget and latest specs. There is a used N150 on USAM for $2100. Keep an eye out and you will find a bargain in BC. 

 

@lalitk

$2,100 USD = $2,867.00 + PayPal & duty.

It adds up.

I have been looking here in Canada, but the only N100H I have seen had the fuses replaced and that made me nervous.

 

I was running the Denafrips Gaia DDC and Venus II DAC and I fed it with the SOtM  SMS-200 Ultra Neo with SPS-500 power supply and it was a killer combination. That’s right at $1,750 and the sound was detailed but easy to listen to.  A very natural sound.  The only thing with the SOtM is that it is meant to work best with Roon.  I know other options are possible, but I like Roon so it worked for me.  It’s very simple with only the best parts that matter for sound quality.  Good luck!

@hifihandyman 

Great suggestion, but I am not interested in Roon. A big factor for me is native control app, whether it is Aurender's Conductor, Innuos Sense or the Lumin app.

Innuos pulse mini !! 

Bought the eversololo A6 , owned it for 18 hours and sold it ..

Got myself an Innuos the day after..

I was in a similar position.

Wanting to upgrade to a USB stand alone streamer.

Innuos and Lumin were the best candidates. Although some models had inbuilt Dacs.

I agree with the Innuos suggestions. I owned an Aurender and did not care for the software. While I have only had an Innuos for a short time, the Sense app and the added web interface seem much better designed and user friendly. Sound-wise it is a tossup between the two.

 

I've been using the ever solo A8 since it was available. I've never had any trouble with the software and it's always been very solid and easy to use. The DAC sounds better to me then my gustard r26. The internal analog preamp replaced my Audible Illusions preamp. I really like the ARC input for my LG Oled TV I had been using prior. The ability to rip CDs to store my digital library is icing on the cake. Best bang for the buck I ever purchased for my system. 

+1 on Innuos, sense app. 

 

Another +1 for Innuos. The Sense app is very user friendly and Innuos is a well established, proven company. 

Mine is about 2 years old and not going anywhere.

I have not bought into the “newer is better“ assumption that many people seem to make, nor do I buy into the “more expensive is better“ assumption that often goes with it. As far as streamers go I think a real sleeper is the circa 2015 Aurelic Aries clamshell streamer. It has a beautifully solid external linear so power supply, A very reliable processor and the well thought out and continually updated lightning OS interface. I bought mine for $800 a few years ago and I think I recently saw one for $400 on the used market. I can’t say if this is better than your lumen or not, because I have not heard the lumen. So I offer it for what it’s worth.

@iseland 

Interesting. So why did the Eversolo not make it to 19 hours?

I have scratched it off the list, but I am curious.

If you are sensitive to your budget, I would keep the Lumin. It’s a great company that constantly updates its firmware. It is just a transport, after all. Your DDC and DAC do the heavy lifting. Save some money and buy a Roon lifetime subscription. I use the Eversolo A6 for my garage system and absolutely love it; even the DAC sounds great and it performs flawlessly.

I might suggest taking a look at the new S1 Aries Streamer from Auralic.

They often introduce models seemingly below cost.

The lightening software is very good to excellent. Coming from pi background it is excellent.

Top of your price point at US 1999 but worth a look.

Some recommendations for the linear power supply but others state makes little difference. Could be added later if convinced.

Good luck!

 

I see lots of Aurender N100H’s on various sites (US Audio Mart, Audiogon, etc.), usually for $1200 or so. There are a few new ones every month. As a N100H owner, I highly recommend them at this price level.

@rdschicago 

I like the Lumin as well, but it does not do digital output via USB, which is a requirement with the Denafrips Iris DDC.

@jallan 

I know, but being in Canada I am a little nervous about the import duty that may apply.

 

$1100- import duties likely to not increase that toomuch! I was looking at CanuckAudioMart, which I believe owns USAudioMart. Just an example.

 

For fun, from the website https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html , I estimated your duties and taxes as approximately $262 Canadian, assuming a $1400 C purchase price.

I would suggest the DMP-A6 (not the A6 ME, nor the A8) as a server.  Used should be fine.  All three are essentially the same server, although the A8 does have an upgraded power supply, but I doubt most of us could pick out the better one in an A/B test.  I found the quality of the server to be great.  The DAC portion, with all the various adjustable attributes, is a decent fall back DAC.  Find a DAC that you truly like to pair with it.  

This option gives you a decent streamer with an amazing app that makes streaming FUN.  The SSD option also allows you to load your CDs and play them on the streamer.  The DAC is the area with the greatest opportunity for future improvement.  Keeping it as a separate gives you options.

@jallan 

I did the same calculation on the same site, but of course because it is a government site there is NEVER exactly what you need or so much grey area that you don't really know if what you are doing actually reflects reality.

Did you notice that there is a general category of "electronics", but as to a specific item there is nothing close to a music server.

 

@tony1954 

Take a look at  stjarnholm review on you tube he hit the nail on the head so to speak. 

@iseland 

I think that about puts the final nail in the Eversolo coffin for me.

I have the Eversolo A8 and couldn’t be happier. Sounds great, and very easy to use. I watched the stjarnholm review and he either has serious bias issues, is an idiot, or both. I find the interface to be simple to use - I tap one button, and I’m playing music. It can’t get any simpler than that. And it sounds great (which, after all, is the most important quality). Mine is connected directly to my Parasound A51, to my Usher Dancer Mini-2 Diamond speakers, so I’m using the streamer, DAC and pre-amp. 

The number for sale on the second hand market can be deceiving. How many A6 users upgraded to an A8, for instance?  And how many people bought one and love it, like me?  For sale ads don’t tell the whole story. I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Eversolo from consideration. 

I estimated your duties and taxes as approximately $262 Canadian, assuming a $1400 C purchase price.

That’s a 19% hit.  Ouch!!!

Came into say

Innuos Sense App is really great as are there products 

@soix 

Yeah, it's bad. I may just have to wait it out for something this side of the border.

@tony1954

an alternative thought is, you could get the cheapest reliable server of those you’re already considering, and put up an additional usd300 for a Swiss digital fuse box, if all still falls within budget at days end - more than any other part of the signal chain, improvement to power delivery in source equipment results in the greatest lift to sound quality. The impact of this fuse box makes that of every other tweak, and in fact almost any other upgrade of dac, amp or preamp, seem minor. You will be amazed.

just another take on things : )

 

in friendship - kevin

I forgot to mention the A8 has an equalizer for active room adjustment. 

@kevn 

I own a condo with a concrete floor, a concrete ceiling and a concrete wall between the electrical panel and all the relevant outlet. Even if I wanted to, I am not sure it would be practical or allowed.

I think I will stay on topic with this, but thanks for the recommendation.

tony1954

I own a condo with a concrete floor, a concrete ceiling and a concrete wall between the electrical panel and all the relevant outlet. Even if I wanted to, I am not sure it would be practical ...

If that’s the case, there’s probably a conduit or raceway that could be used to route wires. They’re surely not encased in concrete.

No offence, but this discussion is about my search for a USB DAC, not about doing electrical modifications to my condo. Let's try and keep on topic.

@tony1954  no worries ; ) - but just so there is no misunderstanding, the digital fuse box is a device you plug between the wall outlet/power distributor, and the specific piece of equipment the fuse of which it will be replacing, so concrete floors, ceiling and walls don’t come into play. 
 

I wish your journey well - in friendship, kevin.

Have you had a look at Auralic’s new line, the Aries S1? List price $1999 or $2998 with the lpsu. It uses the Tesla G3 64 bit quad core platform. Apparently it’s capable of running Dirac which is why I’m interested in it. One less box and fewer a/d or d/a conversions depending on your setup 

@som

Yes the price for the Aries S1 with LPS is $2,998.00 USD. This is $4,096.00 CDN + tax and shipping. Even without the LPS it is $2,700.00 CDN + tax and shipping.

That is still too much. 

I really think whatever I buy will be used. That way I can stay within my budget and get more bang for my buck.

Have you tried your new Pontus without the Iris?  You might find that the Pontus upgrade gives you much of what you’re looking for using your Lumin as a source.  It did me when I upgraded from an Ares to the Pontus when I first started using outboard streamers with my Node.  That will give you some extra time (and funds if you end up selling the Iris) to afford a nice steamer.  You will also be able to use a SPIDIF cable with BNC connectors which in itself should give you a nice improvement over  RCA’s.

Haven't tried the Pontus yet. I have been dealing with a bout of sciatica, so I really can't move things around. The funny thing is I can still play golf, but putting socks on is excruciating.

@6dogvegan 

" This is the Music Streamer that YOU WANT! The DMP-A8 by Eversolo"

No thanks. Don't need all the bells and whistles.

If they are so good, why are so many people selling them?

 

Yeah seems like the Innuos Pulsemini is the way to go for your budget new so you get a warranty. If you end up spending more get the Lumin U2 mini, great product 👌 I have the U1 and its software is flawless and the SQ is remarkable for the price.