Aurender n200, talk me out of signing on the dotted line


I’ve requested an invoice.  My current system has an Audio Mirror 4 with Tele E88cc, Pass int-25, Acoustic Zen Crescendo 2 speakers and a REL 12” sub.   The sound is to my taste in that it is organic, swings with the music and is not lean.  It’s a bit grainy and I attribute that to the Lumin u2 mini, internet radio and Spotify sources in who-knows-what amounts.  Enjoyable none-the-less as is, I am all in for the Aurender.  Talk me out of it.  Please!  

wlutke

I would suggest building a PC to be a music server and use the J River software. You could manipulate the sound to your preference rather than rely on their dedicated sound stage.

I have two N100H on two systems with Raidho X3 and Q500 speakers.

In both cases the Aurender is cleaner thah Raspbery Pi or UPNP, by a lot.

The conductor app is great, V3.

I tried a variety of internet cables , switches and Uptone etherregen.  No audible effect. I think the Aurender does a good job by itself.

Also, no difference anymore between locally stores or streamed hires Qobuz.

 

@blisshifi 
One other suggestion, having had a lot of experience with many of the components in your system, is to try different tubes in your Audio Mirror DAC. NOS Telefunken, despite their high reputation, deliver a hotter, more overdriven sound (not really overdriven, but very textured and gritty at times), that many people crave. The Audio Mirror itself is a very neutral DAC (Vlad is a close friend of mine and lives fairly close by), so perhaps try some 6922 variants that have a sweeter tone.

Very interesting comment. I have NOS Telefunken medical tubes installed in my Rogue preamp. I am experiencing the sound from them that you referenced. I had thought my problem had to be in another area of my system as everyone seems to love the Tele’s & most claim they are the ‘flattest’ of tubes. Rolling to NOS Siemens nickel plate today. We shall see. Thanks for your comment. 

@blisshifi 

Question, I also own NOS Brimar’s. What tubes, including and in addition to mine do you recommend?

@signaforce Though I’ve heard other Rogue preamps, I have no experience with the RP-1. In this case, you’re talking about 12AU7 vs the OP’s 6922 (and complements), so sonic qualities are a bit different.

The Brimar CV4003 is one of my favorite 12AU7s for its warmth, harmonics and sweeter top end, though I wish they had just a bit more sparkle up top. The Siemens you are getting are great as well. NOS Mullards seem to be quite coveted, and I had them in a Primaluna amp years ago. They had the qualities of the Brimar with a bit better top end. I should have kept them.