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  1. #1
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    step up from N100H?

    I'm considering stepping up from my current Aurender N100H, which has served well for several years. i don't really have any complaints with it; mostly it's just an itch that might need scratching. I use a separate DAC, and therefore have no need for a model with one built-in. I also have all of my CDs and other physical media already ripped to a hard drive (with several backups), so the ripping functionality from the ACS series is not valuable to me. I'm searching only for an upgrade in sound quality and durability (ditching the spinning hard drives in favor of all SSD might be nice).

    Having said all that, is the step-up in audio quality from the N100H the ACS10, or do I have to go all the way to the N10? The N10 feels like it's getting old, and maybe the new N20 is its eventual replacement? I can say that I'm not ready to pay as much as the N20 at this time, so it's really a battle between the ACS and the N10 (or exploring similar DAC-less servers from other brands, though I really do like the Aurender app).
    Jeff

    Main System
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100H; Disc Player: Oppo UDP-205; DAC: Topping D90SE; Preamp: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2; Power Amp: ATI AT542NC; Speakers: Focal Sopra No. 3; Cables: Wireworld, Kimber, Cullin; Power: Ansuz Mainz8 X-TC, PS Audio Dectet, Furutech outlets

    Basement Media Room
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100SC; Disc Player: Panasonic DB-UP9000; Surround Pre/Pro: Monoprice Monolith HTP-1; Power Amps: Apollon NC1200SL (custom 3-channel w/Sparkos SS2590 op amps), Apollon AS3600 6-channel; Speakers: Focal Kanta No. 3, Kanta Center, 300 ICW8 (x6); Subwoofer: Rythmik F18SE (x2); Cables: Wireworld, BlueJeans; Power: Torus RM20, Furman Elite 20PFi; Room Correction: Dirac Live w/ Bass Control; Video: Sony 77" A9G OLED

  2. #2
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Jeff

    My personal preference would be the Auralic Aries G2.1. More flexibility in terms of outputs and if you don't need all of that internal storage from Aurender the G2.1 is about $2300 cheaper with the 2TB SSD drive. I've owned three Auralic streamers and I think the Lightning DS works and sounds great but I have never heard an Aurender. I am going to upgrade to the 2.1 without the hard drives after the first of the year.
    Main - JVC QL-Y7/Denon DL-301 Mk II, Gold Note PH-10, Jays CDT3 Mk3 , Auralic Aries G2.2, Holo May KTE, Supratek Cabernet, Kinki Studio EX-B7 monoblocks, Verity Audio Otello, (2) Rythmik F12SE, Audio Envy IC, SC & PC's, Triode Wire Lab PC's, Inakustik USB and I2S, (2) Puritan Audio Labs PSM-156 with Groundmaster City, Timbernation rack

    Family Room - Oppo UDP-203, Auralic Aries, Aqua La Voce S3, Kinki Studio EX-M1+, Nola KO, (2) Rythmik F-12G, Wireworld SC & IC's, Neotech PC's, SurgeX SA-1810

    Greenville, SC- Jays CDT2 Mk 3, Auralic Aries G1, Holo Spring 3 KTE, Supratek Chardonnay, Odyssey Audio Kismet Reference, Rosso Fiorentino Volterra 2, (2) RSL Speedwoofers, iFi Audio Power Station, Wireworld IC's, Inakustik USB and I2s, Triode Wire Lab SC, Triode Wire Lab PC's, Furutech NCF Clear Line, Timbernation rack.

  3. #3
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    I own both the N100H and ACS10. I rip on the ACS10 and listen on the N100H. There is a slight - ever so slight - increase in sound quality by running the N100H thru the ACS10. The difference in sound quality alone is IMO "not" enough to upgrade for.

    IMO, if all you are desiring is better sound quality - and not ripping capability - then I personally would upgrade to the N10, N20 (or N30 [two unit chassis] when it comes out).

    From what I understand the N30 will be on par or exceed the W20SE.

    From what I have heard the N20 is a substantial increase in quality over the N10.

    The N10 is better than either the N100H or ACS10 or using both of the later in combination with one another.

    Of course, my opinion is based upon the DAC I use.

  4. #4
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    The N10 is not going away. It’s going to stay in the lineup. It’s a BIG step up from the N100H sonically. When people compare them here in the store, they can’t unhear the sonic superiority of the N10. That’s where I would be focusing on.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  5. #5
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Timing is everything, as they say. Just last night my N100H decided to commit suicide. The front display went solid white when I woke it up, and the unit did not respond to commands via front panel or app. It asked for an initialization code from the front panel (like it might on initial installation), but of course I couldn't see it.

    Kudos to Aurender for replying to my remote support request within minutes! They think the display is the only thing that's dead, and are sending me parts so I can do open heart surgery in hopes of bringing it back.

    I'm going to take a step back from any upgrade talk for a bit. Aurender did good so far on the support side, but a failure of this kind on a part that doesn't get used much (i have the display set to sleep during playback) does give me pause about spending much more on an upgrade model right away.
    Jeff

    Main System
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100H; Disc Player: Oppo UDP-205; DAC: Topping D90SE; Preamp: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2; Power Amp: ATI AT542NC; Speakers: Focal Sopra No. 3; Cables: Wireworld, Kimber, Cullin; Power: Ansuz Mainz8 X-TC, PS Audio Dectet, Furutech outlets

    Basement Media Room
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100SC; Disc Player: Panasonic DB-UP9000; Surround Pre/Pro: Monoprice Monolith HTP-1; Power Amps: Apollon NC1200SL (custom 3-channel w/Sparkos SS2590 op amps), Apollon AS3600 6-channel; Speakers: Focal Kanta No. 3, Kanta Center, 300 ICW8 (x6); Subwoofer: Rythmik F18SE (x2); Cables: Wireworld, BlueJeans; Power: Torus RM20, Furman Elite 20PFi; Room Correction: Dirac Live w/ Bass Control; Video: Sony 77" A9G OLED

  6. #6
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by 2FlyingYorkies View Post
    Timing is everything, as they say. Just last night my N100H decided to commit suicide. The front display went solid white when I woke it up, and the unit did not respond to commands via front panel or app. It asked for an initialization code from the front panel (like it might on initial installation), but of course I couldn't see it.

    Kudos to Aurender for replying to my remote support request within minutes! They think the display is the only thing that's dead, and are sending me parts so I can do open heart surgery in hopes of bringing it back.

    I'm going to take a step back from any upgrade talk for a bit. Aurender did good so far on the support side, but a failure of this kind on a part that doesn't get used much (i have the display set to sleep during playback) does give me pause about spending much more on an upgrade model right away.
    Great response from Aurender. How old is your unit? Let us know how it works out.

  7. #7
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by 2FlyingYorkies View Post
    Kudos to Aurender for replying to my remote support request within minutes! They think the display is the only thing that's dead, and are sending me parts so I can do open heart surgery in hopes of bringing it back.
    Please let us know if the surgery is successful. I've had my N100H for a few years now and I'd like to know how the DIY process goes.
    Main System: Krell MD-2 CD turntable, Aurender N100H, Bryston BDA-3, VPI Prime, Allnic 1201, D'Agostino Momentum Preamp and Stereo Amp, Wilson Sasha 2, JL CR-1, JL F110 (2), Klaudio RCM.
    Headphone System: Woo WA22, Woo WA8, Audeze LCD-3, Sennheiser HD800S, Enigma Dharma D1000, Focal Elear, A&K AK320, JH Audio JH16, Noble K10.
    Bedroom System: Krell S-1000, Krell KST-100, ProAc Signature 50, Oppo BDP-93, Squeezebox Transporter.
    Museum: Son of Ampzilla, Usher BE-718, Infinity Black Widow, Hafler DH-101, Theta DS Pro Basic, Micro Seiki BL51 w/Eminent Technology II tonearm.

  8. #8
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    My N100H is about 3 years old, so it's still pretty young by my reckoning. Hopefully this is just an infant mortality issue that isn't a sign of other issues. I was initially worried that the platter-based hard disk had failed, but fortunately that seems not to be the case.

    Aurender sent instructions before I agreed to do the fix myself. Looks to be mostly bolt-on; no de-soldering or fancy electrical work required. Just a case of having to very carefully ensure that all of the pins get lined up correctly. I'll report back once the job is done.

    The hard part is going without streaming indefinitely until the parts arrive!
    Jeff

    Main System
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100H; Disc Player: Oppo UDP-205; DAC: Topping D90SE; Preamp: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2; Power Amp: ATI AT542NC; Speakers: Focal Sopra No. 3; Cables: Wireworld, Kimber, Cullin; Power: Ansuz Mainz8 X-TC, PS Audio Dectet, Furutech outlets

    Basement Media Room
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100SC; Disc Player: Panasonic DB-UP9000; Surround Pre/Pro: Monoprice Monolith HTP-1; Power Amps: Apollon NC1200SL (custom 3-channel w/Sparkos SS2590 op amps), Apollon AS3600 6-channel; Speakers: Focal Kanta No. 3, Kanta Center, 300 ICW8 (x6); Subwoofer: Rythmik F18SE (x2); Cables: Wireworld, BlueJeans; Power: Torus RM20, Furman Elite 20PFi; Room Correction: Dirac Live w/ Bass Control; Video: Sony 77" A9G OLED

  9. #9
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Big View Post
    Please let us know if the surgery is successful. I've had my N100H for a few years now and I'd like to know how the DIY process goes.
    The replacement part arrived today, and I'm glad to say the surgery was a success! Remove ~10 case screws and 5 for the display PCB. Then gently remove the display OLED itself, and reverse the process to reassemble with the new part. The display connector was a tiny board-to-board item that took some patience and a steady hand, and I had to position some official (and provided) foam spacer blocks to ensure the display had the right stand-off from the main board and was square to the front lens. Took a little while to figure out the first time, but the second time (to correct the foam blocks not being perfectly aligned the first time) went quite quickly.

    Everything's back up and running just like it used to. So hats off to Aurender for supporting a 3-year old product like they did, and at no cost to me!
    Jeff

    Main System
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100H; Disc Player: Oppo UDP-205; DAC: Topping D90SE; Preamp: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2; Power Amp: ATI AT542NC; Speakers: Focal Sopra No. 3; Cables: Wireworld, Kimber, Cullin; Power: Ansuz Mainz8 X-TC, PS Audio Dectet, Furutech outlets

    Basement Media Room
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100SC; Disc Player: Panasonic DB-UP9000; Surround Pre/Pro: Monoprice Monolith HTP-1; Power Amps: Apollon NC1200SL (custom 3-channel w/Sparkos SS2590 op amps), Apollon AS3600 6-channel; Speakers: Focal Kanta No. 3, Kanta Center, 300 ICW8 (x6); Subwoofer: Rythmik F18SE (x2); Cables: Wireworld, BlueJeans; Power: Torus RM20, Furman Elite 20PFi; Room Correction: Dirac Live w/ Bass Control; Video: Sony 77" A9G OLED

  10. #10
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by 2FlyingYorkies View Post
    The replacement part arrived today, and I'm glad to say the surgery was a success! Remove ~10 case screws and 5 for the display PCB. Then gently remove the display OLED itself, and reverse the process to reassemble with the new part. The display connector was a tiny board-to-board item that took some patience and a steady hand, and I had to position some official (and provided) foam spacer blocks to ensure the display had the right stand-off from the main board and was square to the front lens. Took a little while to figure out the first time, but the second time (to correct the foam blocks not being perfectly aligned the first time) went quite quickly.

    Everything's back up and running just like it used to. So hats off to Aurender for supporting a 3-year old product like they did, and at no cost to me!
    Awesome support from an awesome company.

    Roon would have you still looking inside to see if you see white, red or green lights.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  11. #11
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    I also give Aurender credit on many fronts.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  12. #12
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Always good to hear about positive customer service experiences.

  13. #13
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    The N10 is not going away. It’s going to stay in the lineup. It’s a BIG step up from the N100H sonically. When people compare them here in the store, they can’t unhear the sonic superiority of the N10. That’s where I would be focusing on.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

    Don't want to hijack thread, but question for Mike.

    What would you say sounds better, for digital

    An Aurender N10 plugged into a Esoteric K-01x or

    the new Esoteric N-01XD

  14. #14
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by adol290 View Post
    Don't want to hijack thread, but question for Mike.

    What would you say sounds better, for digital

    An Aurender N10 plugged into a Esoteric K-01x or

    the new Esoteric N-01XD
    N-01XD and the reason is the “XD”. Now an N10 into a K-01XD (instead of K-01x) then that’s a different story.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  15. #15
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    Re: step up from N100H?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    N-01XD and the reason is the “XD”. Now an N10 into a K-01XD (instead of K-01x) then that’s a different story.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    N10 into K-01XD = out of my price range

    which leaves

    N-01XD vs Aurender A30

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step up from N100H?

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