Node2i to Aurender N100SC…WoW!

I went from a Vault2 using their internal DAC, to using the Vault with an external DAC, big improvement, then I upgraded the Vault to an Aurender N200 with the outboard DAC. Very happy with the improvements that each change gave me. Each was a step up and well worth it.  

Yes, I see lots of haters for brands such as PS Audio, McIntosh and Aurender. Some on B&W speakers also.

@jl1ny Congrats on your Aurender purchase, they are definitely the reference when it comes to streaming/storage.

Sad your thread got hi-jacked by the Aurender haters as so many do.

Keep the faith and ignore the distractors. I have a N20...superb.

@dhite71  - i know what you mean about digital not being pleasing sometimes.   I've been a tube and vinyl guy for more than 50yrs.  But with the improvements in digital in just the last few years I guess my ears are becoming more foregiving. Or even more likely I've gotton too lazy to get up every 15 minutes :-)

@dhite71 

All good! Prior to obtaining the Aurender, I had listened to a Lumin and didn’t find much of a difference over the Node2i. At the same time, I had a ARC Dac7 and prior to obtaining the Terminatior, I demoed a few different dacs that did absolutely nothing for me so it is, what it is.

@jl1ny - Yes, the DAC8 is my only DAC now so I was comparing the N10 to the Node 2i both delivering the signal with the same Cardas Clear Coax.  I reactivated my account with Qobuz for this as I have been using Amazon with my Node2i.  With the Node2i, I was unable to hear much difference between Amazon hi-res and Qobuz.  This too seems to be unanimous in our circle that Qobuz is superior...so I may not be the best judge for  streaming.  This stuff is so darn subjective and I don't mean to discredit your experience in any way nor question your upgrade.  I really think statistically I am the outlier here and should probably be removed from the data set LOL.

 

@marco1 - To continue my above response, don't let my experience stop you from giving Aurender a chance in your system.  I have been a vinyl guy for about 15 years and a tube guy for the past 5.  Solid state and streaming are often not as pleasing to my ears.  That DAC8 really elevated my streaming in a way that sounds less 'digital/solid state' even though it does not have any tubes on board.  I believe I was expecting too much out of this upgrade and simply was not going to be happy with that investment so I checked my option to walk away and it was there immediately.  There was a really nice guy looking for a black N10 and the deal was done.  I am super happy with my analog and the streaming does all I need at this point.  

@dhite71  - so at first you were impressed but then not.  This is very discouraging as I was ready to upgrade my Node with the N100SC.  Lost the bid so now I guess I'm happy.  I too use vinyl as my primary source.  Pretty good setup too.  But I am also impressed with my Node and recently aquired Pontus II.  I was (and stiil am) expecting the Aurender to take it up to the next level. Could you elaborate a little bit more?  Could it be that unless your digital is absolutely as good as your analog its just not good enough?  I've had the purple heart and I can't imagine an analog setup with that cartridge making a pretty good digital setup not worth holding onto.

@dhite71 

Thats a shame it didn’t work out for you. So you were using the N10 with a ARC DAC8 and there wasn’t a substantial improvement over the Node2i? I’m curious to know, what USB or Coax cable were you using? The DAC8 is a fantastic unit.

I will first of all say that vinyl is my preferred source.  I love my analog setup and always prefer the sound over streaming.  Sometimes it is close and typically it is significantly better

Right after ordering the open-box N100SC, there was an N10 for sale here that was just a few more $ so I bought it.  I returned the N100SC without opening.  I got the N10 setup on Monday afternoon and my first impression was impressive.  There was no doubt it improved the sound over my Node2i.  The more I listened the less I was impressed.  I really wanted to be blown away but after a couple days realized I was not.  

I also don't do a lot of critical listening with streaming.  When I am doing housework, cooking or just moving around the house doing other things I will often stream.  When I am sitting in my music room, I typically play records.  

I decided it I could not justify the cost.  It also made it where a new digital cable was going to be required as my 0.5m was now not long enough.  This added expense further made my decision.  I posted it yesterday afternoon and was sold within a few hours and my net after all the dust settled was +$8...LOL

I am very happy I tried it out and maybe another time in my life I will appreciate that upgrade more.  It was disappointing and made me wonder about my hearing.  I hear other upgrades quite easily.  I recently went from a Schiit Gumby to Yggy and that was noticeable.  I soon after that found a DAC8 to match my other AR gear so got it and was even more of an upgrade and did more for my system than the N10 did over the Node.  I have made advancements in my turntable that were also significant like I recently got a Kiseki Purple Heart to replace my Benz Micro Wood SM.  That was a huge improvement.  Oh well....like I said, another time maybe but it's great how the Aurender products are helping out everyone else.  They are gorgeous with an incredible build quality.

@dhite71 

 

👍

@dhite71 I don’t want to impose any expectation bias upon you. So I’ll hold my comments until you get some listening time with it. Enjoy!

@jl1ny I am almost in your same shoes and have also been chatting with @ghdprentice about this upgrade

I was curious and searched this Aurender model and found this post

I have the ARC DAC8 being fed by a Node 2i. I got an open box N100SC tonight from Upscale...haven't seen any used lately.  I am very excited about experience to come.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.  I am using a Node 2i with an external DAC and of course when I read about your upgrade and sound improvement it is a temptation to follow suit.

  

@jetter yes, the ARC DAC7. The only thing that I added to the Aurender was a Virtual Dynamics power cord. The best I can describe it, is the music has more weight to it, more realistic. The soundstage is magnificent.

Congrats on your new streamer.  Were you using the Node 2i with the same external DAC that you are using with the Aurender?

You can plug it in to unused usb or Daisy chain it in data stream, oddly they work both ways

@tomic601 I’m assuming I’d have to be going from Aurender to DAC via USB for the jitterbug to do it’s thing? Unfortunately the DAC7 only does 16bit via USB so I go coaxial.

Yep, I went IPad -> PC, Auralic Aries G2 -> Aurender N100 -> Aurender N10->  Aurender WE20se… all big steps up.

Always run an AQ jitterbug in the usb port of anything for improved sound.

Congrats on the Aurender, enjoy the music.

The ARC dac is capable of even more…..

That's all good. Not surprised about the switch mode Chinese box. I didn't know you can bypass a BluNode power supply without major surgery.

@fuzztone I never had the opportunity to play with the Pi’s or with outboard power supplies. I hear they are excellent. I did have a Lumin U1 mini in my rig for a day and I wasn’t convinced that heard that much of a difference to justify $1700…I was about to go with a Teddy Pardo LPS for the Node2i then this Aurender popped up at a great price (used) so I took the dive. I’ve been sitting here for almost 6 hours and I’m still amazed at the level up it brings to the table and I’m using a 13yr old ARC DAC7.

Glad you are happy spending all that moola.
A Ras Pi in a metal case grounded to an LPS ($100 total) sounds WAY better than my BluNode in the same DAC.