Seeking music server recommendation: aurender vs Innuos vs other

Mr Peabody said:
Will the ACS100 for less money meet your needs?
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Yes possibly. That or the n100 it would appear. However, their product line up consists of a lot of models and seems a bit confusing / redundant. At least at first glance.

On top of that, will they all sound different or does it come down to focusing on functionality to fit ones need?
 
Benko said:
Thanks again Aurender sounds like it is a good choice for me and software looks plenty good enough.

"ACS10 only has a USB output."

How much difference does this really make in sound quality?
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No different in sound quality if you’re only using/needing USB.


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I only mentioned it to be sure your DAC has the USB input. Aurender has very high quality USB outputs. This was actually told to me by another manufacturer as I was shopping their products.

Benko said:
Thanks again Aurender sounds like it is a good choice for me and software looks plenty good enough.

"ACS10 only has a USB output."

How much difference does this really make in sound quality?
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I was hoping Mike would take this question. The ACS10 is the first Aurender I owned, so not an expert. The line is not redundant, some units include DACS, some have certain features, only the ACS units have trays for ripping. It is vast though and can be intimidating.

If someone don't come along with better direction, email Aurender, they are very helpful.

Swisstrips said:
Yes possibly. That or the n100 it would appear. However, their product line up consists of a lot of models and seems a bit confusing / redundant. At least at first glance.

On top of that, will they all sound different or does it come down to focusing on functionality to fit ones need?
Click to expand...
 
Swisstrips said:
Yes possibly. That or the n100 it would appear. However, their product line up consists of a lot of models and seems a bit confusing / redundant. At least at first glance.

On top of that, will they all sound different or does it come down to focusing on functionality to fit ones need?
Click to expand...

The sound really improves as you move up the line. The ACS10, ACS100, A10, A30 all have different functions from the N100H, N10, N20, N30 (coming soon), W20SE. ACS stands for Aurender Content Server. It’s meant to replace a NAS. Ripping capabilities built in. The N series is the series for those with DAC’s already. The A series is all in one - with DAC, with the A30 being a superb true all in one, with ripping!


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Thanks @Mr Peabody + @Mike, redundant wasn't the best description. Mikes summary explains it perfectly! Apologies to the OP for getting OT
 
Jack said:
The other "popular" choice would be Innuos and it too is USB only so the Aurender may be your best choice especially from a good dealer.
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Innuos uses isolated ethernet, which I prefer to USB. It's really quite easy to setup and use Roon directly on an ipad - going on 3 years without much of a hiccup. Just the occasional firmware upgrade which is all done online.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I was in your shoes a little more than a year ago. .

I did make a mistake and bought a NAD 50.2 which is feature rich, however, I was not happy with the sound. I can't explain it but, though music servers, there is a difference in sound quality. The ACS10 was more expensive but the performance increase surpassed the expense to me. Not even close.

If you are picky about the album titles and such you will have to learn the editing features. Sometimes my albums showed up as part of a box set and track number may say 3 1, 3 2, etc opposed to just 1, 2, etc. It don't bother me as long as I can tell what I am playing. I do highly recommend the ACS10 as a happy owner.
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I'm interested to hear your NAD M50.2 experience as I have one. Most of its stored files were ripped in FLAC using a RipNAS and transfered over to the NAD but I've ripped a few from its own ripper.

Do you think it's the NAD's ripping ability that lets it down or the way it streams its stored files? I've never been convinced about its ripping as there's no report on the quality of the rip - obtained from metadata showing the precise bit count it's looking for. The RipNAS was better in this respect and I know which rips are not bit perfect.

In fact, since I started subscribing to high quality streaming services (currently Qobuz) I now rarely play from the files stored in the M50.2 - there seems little point in playing CDs or their rips when virtually everything can be streamed.

I now tend to use the 50.2 mainly for simply PLAYING CDs that I don't want to rip (borrowed or friends' CDs) and this ability is rare in rippers. It's a pretty good CD player. I like and use its AES/EBU output - again less common in rippers or streamers generally.

Unless things have changed since I started to rip my own CD collection, editing FLAC files is much simpler than WAV files and the chance of metadata being corrupted is far lower with FLAC. If Classical is ripped, a lot more editing is needed as most sources of metadata confuse Composer with all sorts of other less relevent principle tags. A Beethoven piano concerto is as likely to be put in a Previn (soloist) file, or LSO (orchestra), or Rattle (conductor) as its proper Beethoven one. You have to move these ripped folders into your Beethoven master file and probably rename it - all very easy with FLAC files using Windows' cut and paste and rename. Also you'll probably want to gather together your Ludwig van Beethoven folders with your Beethoven ones so they appear in an alphabetical list of Composers under B. Most non-classical will be correctly grouped under the relevent Artist.
 
I am a picky listener. I believe it's the 50.2's streaming. I found that FLAC sounded better than WAV with the 50.2. In my system the sound was thin. As a reference I moved to streaming from a Mark Levinson #512 SACD player, so my digital had big shoes to fill, the 50.2 to my ears just didn't do it. Functionally, it had all the features provided you like the Blue OS. Well, I didn't like the fact the Wyfi streaming was only 2.4Ghz opposed to 5. Some say there's not much difference but in my experience 5Ghz is faster. The Ethernet did help.

Hear Here said:
I'm interested to hear your NAD M50.2 experience as I have one. Most of its stored files were ripped in FLAC using a RipNAS and transfered over to the NAD but I've ripped a few from its own ripper.

Do you think it's the NAD's ripping ability that lets it down or the way it streams its stored files? I've never been convinced about its ripping as there's no report on the quality of the rip - obtained from metadata showing the precise bit count it's looking for. The RipNAS was better in this respect and I know which rips are not bit perfect.

In fact, since I started subscribing to high quality streaming services (currently Qobuz) I now rarely play from the files stored in the M50.2 - there seems little point in playing CDs or their rips when virtually everything can be streamed.

I now tend to use the 50.2 mainly for simply PLAYING CDs that I don't want to rip (borrowed or friends' CDs) and this ability is rare in rippers. It's a pretty good CD player. I like and use its AES/EBU output - again less common in rippers or streamers generally.

Unless things have changed since I started to rip my own CD collection, editing FLAC files is much simpler than WAV files and the chance of metadata being corrupted is far lower with FLAC. If Classical is ripped, a lot more editing is needed as most sources of metadata confuse Composer with all sorts of other less relevent principle tags. A Beethoven piano concerto is as likely to be put in a Previn (soloist) file, or LSO (orchestra), or Rattle (conductor) as its proper Beethoven one. You have to move these ripped folders into your Beethoven master file and probably rename it - all very easy with FLAC files using Windows' cut and paste and rename. Also you'll probably want to gather together your Ludwig van Beethoven folders with your Beethoven ones so they appear in an alphabetical list of Composers under B. Most non-classical will be correctly grouped under the relevent Artist.
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When it comes to WiFi 2.4Ghz has a larger range but 5Ghz is faster. Therefore if in close enough proximity 5 is better but if you need a larger range then 2.4 is better.
 
Randy Myers said:
When it comes to WiFi 2.4Ghz has a larger range but 5Ghz is faster. Therefore if in close enough proximity 5 is better but if you need a larger range then 2.4 is better.
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Interesting, Is 24/96 wireless streaming still the maximum resolution? Also which usb cable offers the best bang for the buck?
 
I personally like AudioQuest, but there certainly are other good choices. I use two AQ Coffee USB cables (from server to the Recovery and out of the Recovery to the T+A DAC).
 
I have the Innuos Zenith MK III and love it. I'm using it as a Roon Core w/ a 2TB SSD for storage, and separate HD for backup. Ripping was super easy...no comparison to dbPoweramp and transferring files to my Qnap...saved my sanity with classical recordings. Sounds great to me...but I don't play in the same sandbox as a lot of people here. Really simplified my digital audio and can't recommend it highly enough.
 
Thank you, Randy! Appreciate it. What I actually have is the most wonderful, understanding wife in the world. We just celebrated our 32nd anniversary last week.

She's only gotten angry about my system twice in all these years. The first time was in the early 90's when I traded in my ML Sequels and showed up with a pair of Requests. The more recent was when she found out how much those Shunyata power cables cost. Hard to blame her.
 
BobK said:
I have the Innuos Zenith MK III and love it. I'm using it as a Roon Core w/ a 2TB SSD for storage, and separate HD for backup. Ripping was super easy...no comparison to dbPoweramp and transferring files to my Qnap...saved my sanity with classical recordings. Sounds great to me...but I don't play in the same sandbox as a lot of people here. Really simplified my digital audio and can't recommend it highly enough.
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I’m in the exact same situation for about the same time. I also use the isolated ethernet output on the Innuos and have used the USB outlet as well....
I had a rather catastrophic self inflicted problem with mine and if there was any question about the companies support I can tell you it’s the best I have received from any audio based company going on 30 years now.
The sound is excellent , Roon is a champ.... not sure what else to say other than it’s an excellent and well engineered product. Highly recommended
 
Okay, old thread.

Mike—do you recommend:

1) The A30 with built-in DAC, OR
2) the “Non-DAC” Aurender units coupled with a DAC?

If #2, then I believe you like the MSB line like the Reference, correct?

So, if true, the question is: Aurender N series with MSB (or other DAC) or A-series if the key is sound quality?


Mike said:
The sound really improves as you move up the line. The ACS10, ACS100, A10, A30 all have different functions from the N100H, N10, N20, N30 (coming soon), W20SE. ACS stands for Aurender Content Server. It’s meant to replace a NAS. Ripping capabilities built in. The N series is the series for those with DAC’s already. The A series is all in one - with DAC, with the A30 being a superb true all in one, with ripping!


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Click to expand...
 
Anyone have experience with the Auralic Aries G1 or G2.1 streamers? The G2.1 can have 2TB of SSD storage and is Roon compatible.
 
AThrillOfHope said:
Okay, old thread.

Mike—do you recommend:

1) The A30 with built-in DAC, OR
2) the “Non-DAC” Aurender units coupled with a DAC?

If #2, then I believe you like the MSB line like the Reference, correct?

So, if true, the question is: Aurender N series with MSB (or other DAC) or A-series if the key is sound quality?
Click to expand...

Aurender + MSB is a match made in Heaven!


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