Solo streamer

I read somewhere,  “streamers don’t make a difference” 🤣

+1, @blisshifi…best recommendation so far, but and that’s a big BUT. Is @rvpiano open to learning a new App user interface and more importantly, is he able to discern differences between streamers given a very neutral and equally sterile sounding Benchmark DAC?

+1, @jazzman7

@rvpiano,

Mesh network is a better and robust alternative to WiFi. Check out eero mesh network,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZK3D89L?ref=ods_en_vicc_firefly_nrc_ucc

Don’t waste your money, time and efforts on mediocre streamers like iFi Zen Stream, Pro-Ject S2 Ultra Streambox, Primare NP5 Prisma, raspberry Pi.

+1, @blisshifi

My Aurender was shipped directly from Korea through my dealer, straight to my home in 5 days. 

“ I take it this means you’re not in the “all streamers sound the same” camp?”
@soix

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie :-) 

“I’m trying to sort albums alphabetically.”
@rvpiano

If you’re using Version 4 app, look at top right hand corner, it should say Artist, Album before three dots (mine is sorted by artist and album). Tap on it and you should get all the sort options.

“N200 is optimized for USB”
Agreed with @audphile1. 

“I still haven’t found a way to sort my favorites alphabetically. ”
@rvpiano

Where is the dealer support in your struggles to get acclimated with new app?
It’s so important to buy from a dealer that is intimately familiar with products they sell.

“  I believe the USB is very slightly more appealing, so I use it.”
@rvpiano 

Glad to hear, you’re enjoying N200. Keep in mind, N200 is designed and optimized to take advantage of USB implementation in a DAC of your choice. I know you love your current DAC, my recommendation would be to try another DAC down the road to see if you can push the performance another notch or two, I am speaking this my personal experience, I went from EMM Labs DA2 to Merging and there was no contest, the Merging was on another stratosphere using the same source (N20). Merging DAC allowed me to appreciate Aurender N20 at much deeper level, it was like lifting a veil.
Cheers! 

@rvpiano 

I own Merging +player (Roon player + DAC) along with +power and +clock. Both +power and +clock are optional module and further enhances the performance of DAC by itself. Earlier this year, Merging bow out of consumer electronics and focusing on Pro Studio gear. Their consumer gear are now under Master Fidelity, 

https://www.master-fidelity.com

@audphile1 Which DAC did you get?

@audphile1 

I would add Master Fidelity DAC on your trials. 

@audphile1

I would not recommend Merging DAC with N200 or any streamer with USB/SPDIF output. Merging strengths lies with using its proprietary Ethernet (Ravenna) protocol. In that scenario, you stream from a ROON server directly into Merging DAC via Ethernet. I was conversing with @arafiq other day about ROON sound quality, looks like it’s gone up few notches. As a result, I have embraced ROON and sold my N30SA.

+1, @mclinnguy for “sacrifice that 2-3% just for the better UI”. 

@audphile1 As you know, the devil is in the details a.k.a implementation. I am using a Merging +player, which is a turnkey solution for ROON. The render + core is neatly implemented in the same chassis as my DAC. 

Looking back, I always felt something was missing with ROON vs Aurender. I think the shift in SQ with ROON started in past few months. During my last A/B test, I couldn’t justify keeping N30SA around. The differences were subtle at best. Keep in mind, my Merging stack consist of +power and +clock modules which elevates the DAC + Roon performance to nth degree…a $45K (retail) digital front end :-) 

@audphile1 

Good luck with your pursuit. I am about to complete my year long quest on analog setup…should have my TT up n running by end of the month. 

“It’s very disconcerting to be immensely enjoying a track and then be blown up by an ear splitting, unnatural uptake in volume.”
@rvpiano

10 plus years with Aurender, I never experienced this in my system. A streamer job is to faithfully transmit digital bits to your DAC. Could it be the subpar sound quality on some of those tracks that leading to unnatural sound?

A recording with poor or low Dynamic Range would sound hot and unnatural. This is one of reason that I always verify the DR of a digital recording or file before buying.

Your DAC is known to be unforgiving so with N200 high resolution, you’re hearing everything…the good and the bad of original data stream. 

@dxbwineguy 

If your DAC accepts USB, I would pick N150 over N10. N150 is a newer generation of Aurender models and voiced similarly as N200 and N20. The older gen models are softer (rounded in transients), laid back and not as dynamic as newer generation models. You can buy N200 around $3500-$4K if you’re patient and within your budget. Otherwise N150 is a solid entry into Aurender world! 

@dxbwineguy 

If you couldn’t hear any differences between Eversolo DMP A6 ME and Aurender N150, then I wouldn’t bother with an upgrade. Bottom line, if you’re happy with your existing system, then sit back and enjoy. 

If you have an upgrade itch, then bring in N-150 in your home and listen for a week before thinking about next upgrade. The whole upgrade game with streamer vs DAC is like catch 22 thing. They both need to be complimentary of each other and not be bottleneck. Looking at your system, N150 ➡️ MHDT would be my pick for N150 audition in your system. 

@dxbwineguy 

My recommendation would be to not make further changes without allowing a new component to completely settle in your system. This will allow you to make sound decisions and get you off upgrade merry go round. 

“Although I believe my Benchmark DAC is doing a great job, just out of curiosity, what other DACs would you recommend?”

@rvpiano 

Just a thought, if your N200 is still in return period, consider swapping with A200 (with built-in DAC) and go straight into CJ :-) 

@blisshifi 

Thanks for chiming in…..on a scale of 1-10, where would you rate A15 vs A200. Given @rvpiano system, I suspect he is likely to hear appreciable differences between A15 vs A200.

I have gone through 5 different models of Aurender ($2300 -$24k) over last 10 years and all streamers (transport) from N150 to N30SA are built to very high standards. I recognize the subjective nature of our hobby, no two systems are alike and then there is room acoustics and end user listening skills. My experience lead me to conclude that the differences in streamers are subtle at best and degree of separation between streamers is greatly dependent on external DAC and rest of your system. 

At OP’s price point of $2K - DAC, I believe A200 represents a great value and performance and alleviates him from the headaches of auditioning DAC’s for minimal gain, especially at his price point < $2500. 
 

@rvpiano or anyone else is free to choose the best path as there so many different ways to accomplish a good sounding streaming setup without loosing your sanity :-)

“The difference is pretty substantial, sonically.”
@blisshifi

I respectfully beg to differ. For example, the difference between N20 and N30SA were subtle at best. They were compared in my system for extended period of time with DAC’s that costing $45K and $30K respectively. These are my findings and others may disagree and that’s ok.

Staying the course (n200) and finding a competent DAC is not a viable option for @rvpiano unless he is willing to spend upwards of $5K in DAC’s. I am now going to sit back and watch OP’s journey :-)

“whereas the jump to from the N200 to the N20 is fairly substantial”
@blisshifi 

For our readers, please outline the downstream DAC and rest of the system used for this comparison. Thank you! 

@dxbwineguy

What output you’re going to be using with N10.
If USB then NO.
If SPDIF or AES, then buy N10.

“They also offer diffusion in my room”

@mclinnguy 
🤣……all jokes apart, have you thought about ripping the CD’s? Sadly, CD’s aren’t worth a dime anymore. I have 8-10 boxes full of CD’s in my garage. They will eventually end up a goodwill store :-)

@mclinnguy 

Makes sense with what you’re saying. I have ripped all of my CD’s years ago and filtered my collection down to very best sounding albums. The exquisite sound quality of Japanese and Analog Productions CD/SACD’s are the only reason for my purchase. All new purchases gets ripped right away for convenience and when I’m in mood, they come out of case for playtime in my top loader CD player. 

+1, FTA Sinope USB. Audience Studio One is better than majority of USB’s out there and Audience makes good cables but Sinope is on another level. 

@audphile1 

I recommend you give FTA Sinope USB a shot…FTA’s tonal saturation, smoothness and texture is simply amazing. If I ever go back to USB, this would be my first choice. 

“Don’t want to make any cable changes until I settle on the next DAC.”

@audphile1  

That makes complete sense!  

@mclinnguy

The USB cables in discussion are all exemplary and their virtues further revealed in audio system that are capable or equally exemplary. No offense to OP system but Christiaan audio system at Hi Fi Advice is several leagues above OP’s system.

@audphile1

I am very familiar with Audience line of cables due to my long history with the brand. My recommendation would be to try Sinope, whenever you’re ready to step-up.

@rvpiano 

Not sure if it’s been already asked, what brand of cables you’re using in rest of the system?

More specifically, DAC ➡️ Pre ➡️ Amp ➡️ Spealers and Power Cords. 

@rvpiano

You seem to like AQ cables, why not try one of their USB’s like Coffee, 

https://www.audioquest.com/products/coffee-usb-a-b-digital-audio-cable

@rvpiano 

I concur with @audphile1 advise. All you need a well constructed USB cable. Both DH Labs or Zavfino are reasonably priced and good bang for the buck! 

If you choose to get one of these cables, just plugged it in and continuing listening to music and not focus on the cable. Give it 2-3 weeks and then swap back the stock cable and let us know your impressions.