Aurender N100H Review

Wow; strong! I haven't finished it...but the first half reads to me like "no matter how much you trick it out, at what (even greater) cost; the N100H smashes a Mac Mini based player".

That should open, a LOT of eyes...and wallets :)
 
Mike said:
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2015/09/aurender-n100h-music-serverstreamer-review/

Congrats to Aurender on earning the "Knockout" Award.
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Thanks for sharing Mike, very happy about this one.

Background: Was just about to beef up my Mac Mini with the YFS kit, but last weekend I got fed up with the latest version of Audirvana+ having intermittent breaks and decided to look for something else. And just earlier today I bought the very Aurender you just shared the review of. Let's see how it sounds in my system.
 
Ah, my fault, I didn't look all the way through your non-alphabetical list:(

So which do you prefer, Aurender or Lumin?
 
rbbert said:
Ah, my fault, I didn't look all the way through your non-alphabetical list:(

So which do you prefer, Aurender or Lumin?
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You can't really compare. Lumin has a DAC, Aurender needs a DAC.

On another note, Mark (MDP) did a Lampi Balanced GG vs Lumin shootout. The result? He's keeping the Lumin. Both are excellent and as I said in my Lampi vs Lumin review, I think it all comes down to system synergy and music tastes.
 
The Aurender seems like a nice simple product, just add a DAC and you're good to go. I think his comparison of the Mac Mini and all of its accoutrements is an apples to oranges one. I didn't really enjoy the review.
 
Enjoyment (or not) of the review aside, why did you think it was an inappropriate comparison?
 
dlb2 said:
The Aurender seems like a nice simple product, just add a DAC and you're good to go. I think his comparison of the Mac Mini and all of its accoutrements is an apples to oranges one. I didn't really enjoy the review.
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rbbert said:
Enjoyment (or not) of the review aside, why did you think it was an inappropriate comparison?
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I agree; I think it was the perfect comparison...because I think that's how most "new" computer audiophiles, get into it. A Mac Mini.

So the idea that, "oh...well that's only $500; and it sounds as good or better than a $2700 stand-alone unit"...doesn't hold weight. A...by the time you're done, you could well be at or above the cost of the stand-alone; and b...in this case, the Aurender smokes it (of course, in JDs opinion...which I happen to respect, when it comes to all things digital).

I mean, the guy didn't half-ass it; it sounds like he tried every permutation, of Mac Mini and add-on contraption...against a straight-up N100H, and the Aurender had it over the Mac.

Of course I'm a proud owner...so maybe I'm biased ;)
 
rbbert said:
Enjoyment (or not) of the review aside, why did you think it was an inappropriate comparison?
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I'm not in one camp or another. I had a Mac Mini set-up for many years and I really like the idea of having a simple digital package like the Aurender or something along the lines of a Lumin/Linn device. The Aurender only needs a DAC to complete it where the Mini needs many separate pieces. Each of these pieces affects the sound quality of the whole and each piece is subjective to each listener. I won't comment on the DAC used because each piece needs one. As for the Mini set-up, what type of cable will be used and to what extent are you willing to go to make it sound as good as it can? Will you use the internal HDD in the Mini or will you use an external one? Again, what you use will determine the sound quality. If an external HDD is used will it be a solid state drive or not, and what type of cable will connect the two? Will you use iTunes alone or with another program designed to work with it? If you use another program do you have it properly set-up. Programs like Pure Music or Audirvana Plus can be configured to produce many different outcomes of sound quality. Last but not least, unless I've missed something along the way, is the Mini itself properly set up to be the best possible music server it can be? There are many, many tweaks that can be done to the Mini alone which will affect the sound quality.

I'm not saying that one is better than the other or that one wasn't properly configured. The reviewer can write whatever kind of review he damn well pleases. Personally, I would have liked to hear how it sounded against something like a Lumin and how closely it can reproduce sound to a piece of gear that is more costly.
 
dlb2 said:
Personally, I would have liked to hear how it sounded against something like a Lumin and how closely it can reproduce sound to a piece of gear that is more costly.
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Well...a reviewer only has so much space; and...so many devices on hand. And I agree with Mike, that Lumin and Aurender is an apples to oranges comparison. Even if a Lumin, sounded "better" than my N100H into my current Ayre QB-9 DSD; I still wouldn't want to tie myself, into a built-in DAC...like the Lumin has.

Some people...would prefer it, just for that reason; one less box, less to futz...and it might even sound "better". Different styles, for different 'philes ;)

FWIW, my dealer says the N10 is selling like mad!
 
CDLehner said:
Well...a reviewer only has so much space; and...so many devices on hand. And I agree with Mike, that Lumin and Aurender is an apples to oranges comparison. Even if a Lumin, sounded "better" than my N100H into my current Ayre QB-9 DSD; I still wouldn't want to tie myself, into a built-in DAC...like the Lumin has.

Some people...would prefer it, just for that reason; one less box, less to futz...and it might even sound "better". Different styles, for different 'philes ;)

FWIW, my dealer says the N10 is selling like mad!
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I agree that the comparing the Aurender and the Lumin is apples to oranges. How is comparing the Aurender to a Mac Mini not apples to oranges as well?
 
dlb2 said:
I agree that the comparing the Aurender and the Lumin is apples to oranges. How is comparing the Aurender to a Mac Mini not apples to oranges as well?
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Yeah, I get your point Doug. I guess you could say, they are similar...in that they are both just transports. But I think the point of the article...and maybe you're right; I don't like Apple, and maybe they were an easy target here...because a PC, is NOT made for playing music. But I think the point he was making is: "hey, establishment guys...taking this very popular route; here's an alternative. And...it may end up costing less, when all is said and done; and it sounds better to boot"

Again...admittedly; I'm happy to hear it, because I have one. So yay me, lol. ;)
 
CDLehner said:
Yeah, I get your point Doug. I guess you could say, they are similar...in that they are both just transports. But I think the point of the article...and maybe you're right; I don't like Apple, and maybe they were an easy target here...because a PC, is NOT made for playing music. But I think the point he was making is: "hey, establishment guys...taking this very popular route; here's an alternative. And...it may end up costing less, when all is said and done; and it sounds better to boot"

Again...admittedly; I'm happy to hear it, because I have one. So yay me, lol. ;)
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I agree. I would love to hear one some day.
 
dlb2 said:
...Personally, I would have liked to hear how it sounded against something like a Lumin and how closely it can reproduce sound to a piece of gear that is more costly.
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Didn't he compare it to the Antipodes, and say that it was nearly as good at half (or less) of the price?
 
He did compare to Antipodes. A bit too briefly for my liking ;D
I was hoping for a more thorough examination versus dedicated Music servers.
Mac comparisons don't really interest me when it comes to Music Servers.
Price difference is quite different in Aus also.
 
What software does Antipodes use and can it even begin to compare to Aurender's software?
 
A lot would depend on if you need/want a cd ripper or not.
I yet to rip 80% of my cd collection thats the only reason I didn't pull the trigger on a n100h.
Ive got a Antipodes arriving tomorrow so ill find out what software it uses then.
 
I thought you could choose; like LMS is one (Logitech Media Server...so Squeezebox).

Ah, here it is...

The entire Antipodes server range run Squeezebox Server as part of the Vortebox install. That means you get to choose from a range of control methods: iPeng would be my pick for iOS and OrangeSqueeze for Android – but there are many others. Or you can use a web browser on any device

That's a real turn-off to me. To me...and I mean no offense; but it looks like an off-the-shelf build, with some tweaked software...using existing uPnP servers. And it's what; like 7k?
 
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