Aurender A10 - network player/streamer + DAC

nicoludio

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Looks like Aurender just announced a new category of product for CES 2016 (like Lumin did with the Lumin U1):

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/01/ces-2016-aurender-demo-a10-server-streamer-dac/

"A10 is a server/streamer with in-built DAC whose twin AKM4490 chips decode to dual mono analogue circuitry. “The A10 is a N100H with a DAC in a full width chassis” says Aurender’s John Paul Lizars."

Digital audio goes in, analogue audio comes out – via balanced XLRs or single-ended RCAs – no external DAC required. Content can be sourced from the cloud or via the A10’s 2TB internal HDD storage. Digital audio is cached in a 128Gb SSD before being sent downstream for decoding...

The A10’s pricing is yet to be firmed up but expected to come at under US$5K with the aluminium shell “keeping manufacturing costs up there,” according to Lizars".

Sleek design and build quality, and the internal layout looks impressive and tidy.

Subject to final pricing (and sound quality), it looks like this will be a hit. Attractive combination of design, app, storage and built-in preamp without having to fiddle with a PC/MAC or NAS setup.

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Would be interested your thoughts once you have caught your breath ...

P/S. Looks like Aurender and Lumin are "encroaching" into each other's space.
 
Would be interested your thoughts once you have caught your breath ...

P/S. Looks like Aurender and Lumin are "encroaching" into each other's space.

Yes indeed.

The Aurender A10 is going to be a great piece, but so is the Lumin U1. Good for customers to have choices to fit their needs. Aurender N10 still has 4TB of internal storage, U1 doesn't. For some that will matter, for others it won't. Aurender A10 uses completely different DAC chip's from Lumin. Different sounds.

Fun times! I'm glad I carry both of these amazing brands!


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For those without a DAC and the desire for a all in one device it sounds like a winner. I just picked up a Melco streamer and like it for the $1500 price tag. Although you need a DAC still which I already have. Anyhoo, sounds like a winner for sure.


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For those without a DAC and the desire for a all in one device it sounds like a winner. I just picked up a Melco streamer and like it for the $1500 price tag. Although you need a DAC still which I already have. Anyhoo, sounds like a winner for sure.


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At the estimated price of US$5k, there is scope for a higher priced model to compete with the Lumin A1 :)

Melco/Dela is so much cheaper in Japan...
 
internal drive upgradable to a larger drive?
Is it able to connect to the power amp directly?

All Aurender models are upgradeable if you want/need a larger internal hard drive. You should consult a local dealer to help you though. The A10 does offer an ambitious volume control as well as D/A conversion.

/ Marcus
 
I heard this A10 again this weekend (which by the way, the A10 is fully MQA compatible). Definitely a great sounding piece.
 
internal drive upgradable to a larger drive?
Is it able to connect to the power amp directly?

The A10 uses the smaller of two drives used in their units. So because of this, 4TB is currently the largest size available. In the future I suppose its possible a greater capacity drive could become available. But considering 4tb drives of this size have only just become available and future is SSD, don't bet on it.

Yes the A10 can be hooked directly to an amplifier with the volume control being excellent.

Sound wise I am really really happy. The DAC is better than I expected, this is one smooth sounding unit.

It's packed with conveniences, the app is one of the best and its MQA compatible to boot.

A winner, I love it.

There, my two cents.
 
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