Hello people. Thank you for all your help so far.
Aurender people looked into it and found out that my software did not detect Tidal Master quality, only HiFi. Once they updated the software and I could download the highest quality, the life came back into the system. Sound stage expanded and high end came up.
I do not know if I love it quite yet, but I definitely see an improvement vs BlueSound. Much less fatiguing, warmer sound, especially in the mid. I am going to play it on repeat for a week and hopefully this will make it sound even better.
As far as the separates are concerned, it seems that the price for N200 and A200 is very similar, in which case I can do this at any future point.
Aurender integrated streamer/DACs
Does anyone have experience with any of the mid-to-upper-level Aurender units that feature integrated DACs and how do they compare with comparably-priced outboard DACs? Understanding DAC voicing can be a matter of preference, I am also considering a dedicated Roon Core built of JCAT components feeding either a Weiss 502 or the new PS Audio DSD when that becomes available.
Bonus question: looking at this another way (assuming the DACs referenced above are superior to a built-in Aurender DAC), how would a nicely spec'd Roon Core compare with an Aurender Server/Streamer?
Please answer only on in terms of sound quality only. I believe the UI will work fine for me, whether it is Conductor or Roon. Thanks very much!
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Very nice discussion! So many of us have been there, starting with a Node. I did, and then started upgrading the DAC. I was not even streamer focused at this time, and I had Roon on a Nucleus+. So Node > PS Audio DS > Auralic Vega 2 > Tambaqui (FWIW I found the DS most disappointing) Boom. I was there. I heard every improvement along the way and love the resolution and lifelike qualities of the Tambaqui. All of these DAC's have a built in streamer. But of course then the streamer. I Think this is the right order to go. And, if you have Roon on another source and like it, then easy to stay that way through other DAC's. Now enter the streamer idea. You may be happy with a fine DAC with internal streamer, and as stated, the A series may not be it. You are paying for the streamer end I think with Aurender, which I hear is great. The idea that you can later add a better DAC to the A series just leaves you with a non optimized component again. My steamer path went Auralic Aries G2 > same with upgraded power supply (better) > Grimm MU1 (great and does Roon Core). Boom. Again. Except now I am demoing the XACT S1 FROM JCAT. Wow. Disturbingly good. No Roon. Sounds amazing.....to be continued! |
@gsomin : I know those Linn interconnects, I had a pair. Gave them away. I'd recommend that you do the same and buy proper cables, you system deserves much better than those Linn cheapies and trust me, the difference CAN be drastic. IMO, YMMV etc. |
- 39 posts total