Sound Quality

“Even further to that, how can I take the files that are on the SD card that's in the N200 and move them elsewhere?”
@navyachts 

I hope this is a temporary move? Ideally, you want to play files stored on N200 SSD (solid state drive) not elsewhere on your network. 

You gotten some good advise, getting a better DAC would be the next logical step. Patience is the key when it comes to optimizing your streaming setup. You’re off to great start with N200. As far as hearing differences between stored vs streaming files, it would come down to original mastering and downstream components. If you’re planning to rip CD’s, I would select WAV as ripping format since WAV encoding uses no compression. Have fun! 

@navyachts

sounds like a plan! And congratulations on new DAC. BTW, a DSF (DSD Stream File) is a high-resolution audio file which contains uncompressed DSD audio data along with information about how the audio data is encoded. It can also optionally include an ID3v2 tag which contains metadata about the music e.g. artist, album, etc. The N200 will play files with .dsf extension as long as your DAC is able to decode DSD files.

All Aurender streamers ships with default user name and password ….type in aurender in both places. 

@navyachts 

The SSD drive (SD Card) doesn’t not require any formatting by end user (you). It’s done by Aurender software. Once you have transferred off all the previously stored music, you can start transferring newly ripped music (cut & paste).  One way to track your music is by creating folders in SSD drive. 
Music 1 ➡️ DSD 

Music 1 ➡️ CD rips. 
 

How to create folders….right click in Music 1 folder, click New, Folder ➡️ rename

“FLAC it is”

@navyachts 

I would rip and compare FLAC vs WAV and see if you are able to tell the difference between the two files 😊

@navyachts 

I prefer WAV…I just don’t like the notion of unnecessary decompression (unfolding) process with FLAC files. Storage (SSD) cost is no longer an issue so why bother ripping CD’s in a lossy FLAC format. 

“I need to experiment with all this myself first!”

@navyachts
That’s the mantra I believe in and it has paid huge dividends. As far buying media, I selectively buy CD’s, DSD downloads and Vinyl. The primary reason to buy is to enjoy exemplary sound quality that is simply unmatched by any of the streaming platforms including Qobuz. For most folks, Qobuz is good enough. It really comes down to your system whether it’s good enough to appreciate the nuances between DSD downloads and CD rips vs files being streamed from Qobuz / Tidal.

One good source to buy DSD is NativeDSD.com. BTW, I am digging the view from your man cave! 

“Any good recommendations for a DSD 256 CD to purchase for a test drive”@navyachts 

Are you asking recommendation for a DSD256 file? I am not aware of any CD’s that has DSD256 resolution. 

@navyachts 

I agree but the price of admission is totally worth it (to me). You can try a sampler like the one below, 

https://www.nativedsd.com/product/2xhdft1248-audiophile-analog-collection-vol-3/

“I am riding the WAV!”
Enjoy the ride my friend! 
@mclinnguy

Thank you for your recommendation. I bought the DSD256 download…loving the album and spine tingling hair SQ.