Aurender Model Choices


Before I ask my question let me provide some context.

My system includes the following:

New MacBook Air Running itunes/Music serving hundreds of stored CDs

Macbook connected to my Benchmark DAC3 via Audioquest Coffee USB Cable

DAC balanced connection to Benchmark HPA4 PreAmp

PreAmp balanced connection to Benchmark ABH2 Amp

Benchmark Amp connected to Harbeth C7es-XD Speakers

This configuration has provided a neutral clean, and balanced sound. Really no complaints. However I wanted to add Streaming. So I Signed up for Qobuz and downloaded the App to my MacBook. Using WiFi I found that the Qobuz stream offered superior sound quality to my local CD library. Even Redbook CD quality was better plus the HiRes albums were really good

So now I need to get a dedicated Streamer. Using the MacBook is not convenient and from what I’ve read a Streamer should offer additional SQ enhancement. I’ve done a lot of research and really like the Aurender products plus when I recently purchased my speakers I auditioned them with an Aurender Model 100. The sound was excellent. I plan to go back in a few weeks to audition the $6k N200 model. I’m sure it will sound very good but I will be left wondering what does the N20 sound like? How much better can it be for another $6K? Unfortunately my dealer doesn’t have one to audition and neither does any other dealer near me. I’ve read comments on several forums that the N20 is twice as good as the N200 or that the N200 is nipping at the heals of the N20 or that the N20 just offers a 20% increase in SQ or the N20 blows the N200 out of the water. Without a side by side audition I’m struggling with paying twice the price without a demonstrable and significant SQ improvement. I would expect a SQ that once heard I could never settle for the less expensive model. In my recent experience a more expensive model does’t always win. When buying my speakers I auditioned the Harbeth C7es-XD and the more expensive 30.2 XD model. After almost an hour of back and forth I preferred the lower priced model.

So to conclude has anyone had the opportunity to audition the N20 and N200 together?

If so please Specifically what if any SQ differences did you hear and were they worth an additional $6k?

As I listen to my system streaming from my MacBook with wonderfully smooth, clean HiRes sound  I wonder can I actually get significantly more improvement for $6k or $12K?

Thanks for any info and experiences you can provide.

jfrmusic

Congratulations. You will be very happy. The N20 is an outstanding sounding streamer. 

Thanks. 
 

One other thing I forgot to mention. They offered me discount on an expensive Cardas Ethernet cable. I declined. I want to start with the CAT 6 certified un shielded cable from Blue Jeans. Plus they were running plain RJ45 cable all over so that’s what I auditioned. I did order an Uptone Ethernet Switch. So I’m thinking that should give me a noise free connection. 
 

Also today I think demonstrated  subjectively for me that more expensive equipment doesn’t always lead to better sound. Again subjectively. . Those very expensive Excelon speakers really overwhelmed the N30 and higher end MSB. Poor synergy can be a problem. This recreation of the live music experience in our home is truly an art and a science. 

@jfrmusic 

That’s a pretty darn good digital front, congratulations! With MSB clock, you will elevate N20 performance to another level. Start scouting for high quality BNC - 50 ohm and AES cables. I found SoTM dcBL BNC50 as one of the best cable for this application under $1K. 

@jfrmusic my recommends would be to start with a baseline level Ethernet cable like the bluejeans you had mentioned or even the Amazon Linkup cable. Don’t invest in switches or any other network tweaks. The MSB Discrete has a built in preamp section correct? So I would try that in place of the benchmark preamp. You have a digital front end that’s a good few levels above your amplification chain. See how the MSB volume control sounds vs the benchmark pre and layout a plan to upgrade the amplification next. Put the cable upgrades and tweaks on back burner for now. Just my $0.2.

@audphile1 

Yes that’s the plan. Starting with good quality tested cables from Blue Jeans to be used as a baseline before investing in anything else. I did buy the Ethergen switch because when I spoke to MSB they recommended it. They also said don’t go crazy on cables.