Solo streamer

@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

@lalitk

What model Merging DAC do you use, and/or recommend?

“  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 my pleasure!

@audphile1 

It was with your encouragement and others that made me pull the trigger on purchasing the N200.   Of course you know how that turned out. Thank you. Actually, the streamer sounds better than CD or SACD..  I think it decodes digital files better than any other source..  As I’ve said, equal to the best analog performance.

@rikkipuu 

Whether to use coax or USB has been an interesting question for me. I have both hooked up to the streamer and it’s hard to tell the difference sonically.  I believe the USB is very slightly more appealing, so I use it.  As for cabling, I’ve already invested a lot in it.

@rvpiano it’s awesome to see you like the N200 and keep raving about it. Keep the thoughts coming.
By the way I expect the N200 to at least match the performance of your cd transport/player. I was close to giving up on streaming and and going back to spinning 💿 until I tried the N200. I have to give credit to @ghdprentice ​​​​and @lalitk for battling it out with me in one of my posts a while ago and recommending Aurender when I was complaining about the sound when streaming using Roon and Bricasti M3 as its end point. I didn’t think I can get the kind of boost in sonics with the N200 but it just simply dispatched the network card/streamer in the Bricasti M3 DAC.

Did you try CLM with Coax input to your DAC? 

My Innuos Statement streamer is supposed to be optimized for USB and yet the Ethernet output sounds better.  My Lampizator GG3 DAC is supposed to be optimized  for USB input with the new JL Audio USB board and yet the S/PDIF sounds best (I use BNC but have been told AES3 is best and am currently gathering coin for a Jorma Digital XLR).

I think some of the USB hoopla manufactures tout is for marketing to keep up the competitions claims.  I don't believe USB is the best source or input.

Also, keep in mind as your gear gets better you really need to invest $$$ in your cables whether USB, S/PDIF or Ethernet and to realize the potential of your streamer along with at least one quality audiophile switch and an Ethernet filter like Network Acoustics will lower the noise level appreciably.

Upstream sound quality has a bigger impact than downstream.  You are better off with a better streamer than DAC.  

Sorry to hear. My rule of thumb on anything with networks / devices is… the moment you get into a problem… reboot the iPad, if this doesn’t fix it, start at the source and work forward: reboot the router, extender, and finally the streamer.

Had a momentary blackout in the house yesterday. Aurender was on and lost connection to the tablet. Worked for hours to reestablish it. No luck. Called Aurender. They were not available. Turned it on this morning. Now working perfectly.

Mysterious!
 

btw, I played an LP of a Haydn symphony that I know sounds wonderful.  Compared it to the same performance on Aurender.  Sounded identical.  
Digital performance has evidently been perfected.

Both sides in this debate are correct.

1- It's a terrible decision if the OP sticks with his DAC and there is zero reason to  think he will.

2- When he upgrades his DAC he will be ahead of the game.

You’re so right about that. It’s very, very difficult to get out of.  I started it but I think I stopped it in time.  As we know, the thing is to concentrate on the music.

@rvpiano definitely keep it setup the way it sounds best to you! Enjoy the music and don’t use it to evaluate your equipment - it’s the mode that’s nearly impossible to get out of

I’ve seen some negative reviews (based on issues around the software side) of the iFi Zen Stream, but I’ve owned one for a few years, now (Roon only), and it’s never had problems. I’ve "upgraded" it by getting a Chinese standalone power supply geared toward the ZS and a low-priced DDC to convert the USB output to IIS. Both upgrades made it even better, and for the foreseeable future I’m keeping this setup. I’m currently trying out a Gustard A26 - which has its own streaming built in - and the Zen Stream is much better than the one in the Gustard.

Post post: I missed the part where you indicated what you've purchased; enjoy in good health.

Once you start to listen for sound, you really screw up your perception of reality. Every little thing is scrutinized and you lose track of the big picture, the music.  
i’m happiest with my original settings and sticking with them.  I also like seeing the display.

My condolences for your lack of a streamer.  It must be tough.

I just tried an experiment. I played critical mode using coax instead of USB and the sound improved. I’m going to keep in on this setting for a while.

You know something I thought of…is it possible that the N200 has lower noise in CLM and sounds cleaner vs a bit more jitter going to your DAC in regular mode, which causes the DAC to sound slightly brighter when it’s dealing with a bit more jitter, resulting in you perceiving it as more open sound? Because I don’t recall CLM reducing sound quality…if anything it darkens the background a bit making everything sound slightly clearer. I know benchmark states their dacs are immune to jitter. They also state that USB cables and power cords won’t affect their dacs, which I found to not be true when I owned DAC 3 HGC…just speculating…

@rvpiano I’m between DACs now and have one en route for a Tuesday/Wednesday delivery. I’ll compare when everything is hooked up and running again. Will let you know. Been spinning CDs on my $49 15 year old DVD player the last few days. Any music is better than no music! Miss streaming big time!

Regarding critical listening on the Aurender, I don’t know why, but it seems to constrict the sound. With it off the sound opens up very appealingly. Again I don’t know why that happens, Theoretically, it should sound better with it on, but after much back and forth comparison it doesn’t sound as transparent.
Maybe it’s just my ears.

The magic box keeps amazing.

@stievus 

Thanks for the tip about Qobuz.  Hopefully it would work.

@rvpiano Perhaps good to know that Quboz Connect will soon be available, so that you can stream directly from Quboz without a third party app or interface. It is being tested now.

In the meantime, if you want to use a pc, try Audirvana instead of Roon. In my experience it sounds better and is also cheaper.

@rvpiano all good man! Keep the thoughts coming! So far you’re reflecting my 7 months journey with the N200. And I enjoy music with it in the system now as much as I did the first time I plugged it in.

How can you not be convinced to buy an N200 now, folks?  No excuse is accepted other than "I could not afford it." 

Also, pair it up with BM DAC 3. No excuse is accepted because you could definitely afford it.

Forgive me if I keep giving my impressions of the new streamer.

I’m sorry to keep raving about the streamer so much but I have one other observation: Unlike any other source, the Aurender actually forces you into the MUSIC being played.  No matter what I put on, I get drawn into it and can’t turn it off.

@rvpiano that is a great reply. Many companies wouldn't even bother to answer. This makes me wonder if Tidal offers alphabetical sorting? 

Thanks,

aldnorab 

The only downside to Aurender is that the dynamic range on some tracks is too good

That’s an impressive high-quality problem to have.  Sounds like the N200 is giving you some “good trouble.”

The only downside to Aurender is that the dynamic range on some tracks is too good; it ranges from almost inaudible to ear splitting in the space of a few minutes. Happily, on most tracks this doesn’t happen.

Well, it can’t be perfect, can it?

I wrote to Aurender about the Alphabetical sorting, and searching of favorites and this is their reply:

“The limitation related to Qobuz sorting is actually a limitation by Qobuz, not Aurender. They share something called an "API" that allows us to incorporate features of their software into ours, and they did not share any sorting or filtering options with other developers. I agree 100% that this is a must-have feature but we have to wait for them to allow us to incorporate it.”

Nice reply.

No. With Melco N100 and Cambridge Audio VXN2

@mahler123 Are you using mconnect with Aurender? 

Really? That’s strange. I’m between DACs now and can’t test it but I will compare after I get a DAC. Don’t recall the CLM being an issue. 
May be revisit it after you got some miles on it and reassess.

@audphile1 

For some reason critical listening seems to cut out the highs.

I don’t understand why mconnect only works for AirPlay.  In my system you get a list of devices that you want to stream from, and another that you want to stream to.  I’m Ethernet and I believe you are WiFiso I am wondering if that has something to do with it, but if everything is on the same network I don’t understand how…

@rvpiano 

yes it has excellent separation, layering and dynamics.
Hope you’re using the Critical Listening Mode which shuts off display and other non-essentials. The difference is subtle but audible. 
 

I don’t listen to much pop, rock, and the like. But for classical orchestral music this streamer is extraordinary.  It separates instrumental choirs clearly, with plenty of air around instruments.  Never a hint of harshness no matter how loud.  Violins are full-bodied.  The dynamic range is huge, that of a full orchestra.  Instruments are clearly and accurately portrayed.

I’ve never heard anything near to this type of presentation, except sitting close to the orchestra  at a live concert

@audphile1 

I’m using a fine power cord.  
It sounds so good, at this point I don’t feel the need for a better USB.  
But thanks for the suggestion.

• @rvpiano I’m assuming you’re using the stock Aurender USB cable which is fine. Whenever you’re ready, there’s more to be had with better USB and better power cord if you’re using stock. Again no rush …the stock USB is decent. 

Yes it is!

OP …”never dreamed recordings could sound this good.”

Congradulations! Amazing isn’t it! Finally we can skip the vinyl unless we feel nostalgic.

I don’t see how😊!

@rvpiano  if it doesn't have close to 200 hours playing time it gets even better.

Thanks,

aldnorab 

I never dreamed recordings could sound this good.

I must say, I’m amazed at the quality of sound every time I play a new track.

 At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, it’s almost a life changing experience.

I got it.
The only problem is that it only works using AirPlay which doesn’t support my hi-res files the way Conductor does. Still, it’s useful for accessing my favorites.

Thank you.

I use mConnect on my iPhone.  Update the OS on the ipad

Mconnect is not available for my iPad.

Are you sure?  I have an older iPad and have mconnect HD on it.  

Mconnect is not available for my iPad.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Classical Music is a Bridge to far for most app developers.

Has the OP tried mconnect?  If he prefers the CA Stream Magic app, mconnect is similar and it’s easier to make playlists with