Aurender N10

My N10 just arrived! Its a cold day today, so I am letting it get to room temperature before I turn it on. Looks like my plans for this evening have been decided.

Congrats! Did you buy from Mark in Toronto? Keep us posted on your progress! Pics too please!!


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Hey Darryl,
Thanks for the kind words, and glad to hear you're having lots of fun. :hey:
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance at any time.
 
Does anyone know how the Lumin app compares to the Aurender app?

They are very different. The Lumin UI is slicker, and overall, more intuitive. For instance, acessing Tidal on the Aurender app is not that obvious... Visually, I also prefer Lumin's.
The Aurender app is *fast*, since it doesn't need to be fetching files over the network, everything happens instantaneously.
And the Aurender is still the #1 app in stability, along with Linn Kazoo when used with Linn devices. It just works, always. That's as much a function of the Aurender hardware as of the software, but still...
 
They are very different. The Lumin UI is slicker, and overall, more intuitive. For instance, acessing Tidal on the Aurender app is not that obvious... Visually, I also prefer Lumin's.
The Aurender app is *fast*, since it doesn't need to be fetching files over the network, everything happens instantaneously.
And the Aurender is still the #1 app in stability, along with Linn Kazoo when used with Linn devices. It just works, always. That's as much a function of the Aurender hardware as of the software, but still...

I agree, they are both great. I don't have any issues with either in terms of usability, stability, etc.

Your decision is on simplicity and sonics of a streamer vs music player + DAC + cables.

The Aurender allows DAC flexibility (you can still retain your DAC of the month membership). The Lumin is "set and forget", just sit back and enjoy, less boxes and great sound in one box.
 
Is it the version that include ROON ?
Roon has not yet released their software development kit (SDK), to my knowledge.
Other streaming services are coming, though. For example Qobuz is in a special version of the Conductor app available to dealers, although I do not know if it is ready for prime time.
Keep in mind, though, other streaming services can be streamed to an Aurender via AirPlay, since Aurenders are set up to work with AirPlay.
 
Ok, I've had the N10 for a week now, and I am thrilled. The most obvious improvement I noticed was the full and punchy bass. I had spent a lot of time dialing in my Rel's prior to the Aurender, and was very satisfied with my results, but this is a step up to the next level. I have always been on the fence regarding the most important component in ones system, but the N10 definitely has me leaning toward the source component.

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Ok, I've had the N10 for a week now, and I am thrilled. The most obvious improvement I noticed was the full and punchy bass. I had spent a lot of time dialing in my Rel's prior to the Aurender, and was very satisfied with my results, but this is a step up to the next level. I have always been on the fence regarding the most important component in ones system, but the N10 definitely has me leaning toward the source component.

What were you using before the N10?
 
Has anyone compared the N10 with AES output vs USB output, and if so, have a POV?
 
Has anyone compared the N10 with AES output vs USB output, and if so, have a POV?

I have - sort of. In testing with my Berkeley Ref DAC going AES/EBU from N10 and USB from N10 to Alpha USB and then AES/EBU from Alpha USB to BADA ref.

The AES/EBU is the recommended input of the BADA ref and by simplifying the signal path, I found better imaging of vocals, instruments and more. I found better separation and a tighter focus overall and ever so slightly quieter.

But let me state, the differences were minute at best.


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I have - sort of. In testing with my Berkeley Ref DAC going AES/EBU from N10 and USB from N10 to Alpha USB and then AES/EBU from Alpha USB to BADA ref.

The AES/EBU is the recommended input of the BADA ref and by simplifying the signal path, I found better imaging of vocals, instruments and more. I found better separation and a tighter focus overall and ever so slightly quieter.

But let me state, the differences were minute at best.


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Interesting... Assuming I'm understanding correctly (a big assumption) - - - current TAS issue review of the W20 preferred the USB out, (same path described here) to the Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference. So I'm concluding this is going to be "device dependent", and per usual, will need to listen to compare/reach a conclusion. Thx.
(anyone have a reco for a good - under $500 - AES interconnect?)
 
Interesting... Assuming I'm understanding correctly (a big assumption) - - - current TAS issue review of the W20 preferred the USB out, (same path described here) to the Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference. So I'm concluding this is going to be "device dependent", and per usual, will need to listen to compare/reach a conclusion. Thx.
(anyone have a reco for a good - under $500 - AES interconnect?)

I read that too and was surprised. I A/B the two and concluded the AES/EBU direct from the N10 was best. What's interesting is that Robert Harley doesn't specifically state he tried the AES/EBU direct from the W20 to the BADA Ref (unless I missed it). If the best (or tied for the best) digital output of the Aurender is arguably the AES/EBU and the best digital input of the BADA Ref is AES/EBU (this is coming from Berkeley themselves), then how on earth would using USB and another box in between and another cable be optimal? I will admit, more testing and research needs to be done on my end....but first impressions point to the shortest path via AES/EBU.

One caveat....I need to determine whether USB from N10 to Berkeley Alpha USB with the Regen in the middle (a third box!) improves things over AES/EBU to AES/EBU.
 
Another consideration is that to use USB with a Berkeley you have to buy another box (Alpha USB) and associated cabling.
 
I read that too and was surprised. I A/B the two and concluded the AES/EBU direct from the N10 was best. What's interesting is that Robert Harley doesn't specifically state he tried the AES/EBU direct from the W20 to the BADA Ref (unless I missed it). If the best (or tied for the best) digital output of the Aurender is arguably the AES/EBU and the best digital input of the BADA Ref is AES/EBU (this is coming from Berkeley themselves), then how on earth would using USB and another box in between and another cable be optimal? I will admit, more testing and research needs to be done on my end....but first impressions point to the shortest path via AES/EBU.

One caveat....I need to determine whether USB from N10 to Berkeley Alpha USB with the Regen in the middle (a third box!) improves things over AES/EBU to AES/EBU.

Mike,

I can tell you that using a Regen between my Mac Mini and Berkeley USB was a major improvement that matched the hype it gets here and elsewhere.
 
Hallo, I used a Regen when I had a PC, after my N100H arrived it have been sold, I think Aurender knows how to make the USB output, it sounds more relaxed without the Regen, when the Regen is in the chain I find it gives fatigue after some time, it seams to be "artificially" detailed.

My DAC/AMP is a Devialet

Kind regards Morten
 
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