Thread: Aurender A20

Received word today that A20 now out for $14k USD -- no ripping, no HDD:


AURENDER A20 MUSIC SERVER / STREAMER / MQA DAC
This reference streaming DAC offers a headphone amp, optional internal storage, and a large color display
The A20 is based on the flagship A30 streaming DAC and offers the same audio quality with an edited feature set. While the A30 is aimed at customers with large disc collections, the A20 dispenses with CD ripping and metadata handling, and does not come with built-in storage, though you have the option to add two 2.5" drives. The A20 also has fewer headphone outputs, offering just one 1/4" jack.

The top-of-the-line dual-mono DAC stage has fully discrete linear power supplies for each channel, and is built around a 768 kHz, 32-bit design using the AKM AK4497 chipset. This all-out attack is designed for the most demanding audiophile with just one shelf of audio rack space, who wants the very best one-box digital source.

Features
Dual mono DAC with fully discrete ultra-low-noise dual-mono linear power supplies with built-in UPS function
Volume adjustment from app, IR remote, or front panel knob
FPGA clock with jitter reduction
High-performance headphone amplifier
2 x 2.5” (15mm height) bays for SSD or HDD
Dedicated ultra-low-noise USB Audio Class 2.0 output
Full MQA decoding
Upsampling to 786 kHz, 32 bit
DSD up to 256 DoP, 512 native
Isolated LAN, USB 3.0
Remote tech support via the Aurender app
Specifications
Supported formats: DSD(DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE

Sampling rate (PCM/DoP): Up to 768 kHz, 32 bit/DSD256 DoP, DSD512 internal

DAC chip: 2 x AK4497

Digital connections
Output: USB Audio Class 2.0
Input: 1 x RCA S/PDIF, 1 x BNC S/PDIF, 2 x TOSLINK
Other: Gigabit Ethernet, 2 x USB 3.0 A (data)

Analog outputs: 1 x stereo RCA, 1 x balanced stereo XLR

Headphone outputs: 1 x 4 pin XLR balanced, 1 x 4.4 mm balanced, 1 x 6.5 mm unbalanced

Now we just need the W30 ...
Parker

I think the headphone details are wrong in this announcement. Supposedly only one HP output on the A20.

IME it's system-dependent. In one set-up I found the A10 more enjoyable than a DAC that most everyone would consider quite superior -- the other DAC was just too polite for me -- in that system. In other systems I was perfectly happy with the "polite" DAC.
The A10/20 certainly offers multi-function convenience ( though I never found the system in which the A10 preamp section made me happy). I would hope the new A20 has not only a better-sounding DAC but possibly an improved pre function as well.