W20SE vs N30?

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Battles

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Has anyone had an opportunity to compare the sonic differences between these two models? Aurender doesn't declare which model is the current flagship, but instead states that they are both at the top of the heap and which is better depends on the listener's taste and chemistry with their system.

Thanks,
Battles
 
Battles said:
Has anyone had an opportunity to compare the sonic differences between these two models? Aurender doesn't declare which model is the current flagship, but instead states that they are both at the top of the heap and which is better depends on the listener's taste and chemistry with their system.

Thanks,
Battles
Click to expand...

I own both models. I agree that both are at the top of the heap. To me the W20SE has so much finesse. The N30SA is dynamic with slam… you cannot go wrong with either. One does need to think about his/her shelf space. W20SE is one chassis, N30SA is two… I do enjoy the color display on the N30SA but gravitate towards the sound of the W20SE… enjoy


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La Dolce Vita,

Thanks for your quick feedback. As I don't have much need for a LED, and in fact enjoy listening in a dim environment, I'm prioritizing sonics. Subject to your guidance, I surmise the other advantage of the W20SE is that it doesn't require a high end power cord to sound its best being battery powered.

Separately, before purchasing the N30, did you consider and/or compare to the Taiko?

Thx,
Battles
 
Battles said:
La Dolce Vita,

Thanks for your quick feedback. As I don't have much need for a LED, and in fact enjoy listening in a dim environment, I'm prioritizing sonics. Subject to your guidance, I surmise the other advantage of the W20SE is that it doesn't require a high end power cord to sound its best being battery powered.

Separately, before purchasing the N30, did you consider and/or compare to the Taiko?

Thx,
Battles
Click to expand...

Most welcome. Correct regarding the power cord. [emoji1360]


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La Dolce Vita said:
I own both models. I agree that both are at the top of the heap. To me the W20SE has so much finesse. The N30SA is dynamic with slam… you cannot go wrong with either. One does need to think about his/her shelf space. W20SE is one chassis, N30SA is two… I do enjoy the color display on the N30SA but gravitate towards the sound of the W20SE… enjoy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your observations, which are very logical. One would expect the W20SE to sound a little sweeter and more nuanced due to the total lack of AC noise due to being battery powered. However, one would expect the N30SA to have superior dynamics due to its robust separate power supply, which can deliver greater peak current than the battery power supply. I guess it really comes down to personal preference and the type of music you listen to. Smooth jazz, acoustic and piano probably really excel on the W20SE, while hard rock, big band and full orchestra probably excel on the N30SA.

Best,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Hi Andy,

Thanks for your observations, which are very logical. One would expect the W20SE to sound a little sweeter and more nuanced due to the total lack of AC noise due to being battery powered. However, one would expect the N30SA to have superior dynamics due to its robust separate power supply, which can deliver greater peak current than the battery power supply. I guess it really comes down to personal preference and the type of music you listen to. Smooth jazz, acoustic and piano probably really excel on the W20SE, while hard rock, big band and full orchestra probably excel on the N30SA.

Best,
Ken
Click to expand...

Great to hear from you Ken! Very well said… you’re welcome to come hear both if you’d like. [emoji1360]


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Battles said:
La Dolce Vita,

Thanks for your quick feedback. As I don't have much need for a LED, and in fact enjoy listening in a dim environment, I'm prioritizing sonics. Subject to your guidance, I surmise the other advantage of the W20SE is that it doesn't require a high end power cord to sound its best being battery powered.

Separately, before purchasing the N30, did you consider and/or compare to the Taiko?

Thx,
Battles
Click to expand...

I A/B'd the N30 vs the Taiko. I preferred the N30. As I initially went in to audition the Taiko, I was surprised.
 
Thanks Ken. I too own the MSB Select with separate power bases and am using the MSB network renderer module as my Roon endpoint...or more specifically: QNAP Server running Roon Sever > Commercial Cisco Switch > Fiber > EtherRegen w/ upgraded PSU and external clock > Gobel Ethernet Cable > MSB Network Renderer v2 Module.

As I read posts on the various forums, I continue to hear that I'm leaving quite a bit of sonic upside on the table by not utilizing an audiophile server and MSB's pro USB module. Hence my interest in the Aurender W20SE/N30SA or perhaps the Taiko. That being said, I'm loathe to drop $20K+ on an audiophile server plus the additive cost of isolation and reference USB/power cords all to conclude that the sonic difference between my current set up vs. the new was only negligible. I see you that you are using the network renderer module on your Select and am wondering if you've already gone through this comparison? If so, would you mind sharing your conclusion?

Thanks,
Battles
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Great to hear from you Ken! Very well said… you’re welcome to come hear both if you’d like. [emoji1360]


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Click to expand...

Thanks Andy. It sounds like Aurender has two winners with the W20SE and the N30SA. The hardest part would be choosing one.

Ken
 
Battles said:
Thanks Ken. I too own the MSB Select with separate power bases and am using the MSB network renderer module as my Roon endpoint...or more specifically: QNAP Server running Roon Sever > Commercial Cisco Switch > Fiber > EtherRegen w/ upgraded PSU and external clock > Gobel Ethernet Cable > MSB Network Renderer v2 Module.

As I read posts on the various forums, I continue to hear that I'm leaving quite a bit of sonic upside on the table by not utilizing an audiophile server and MSB's pro USB module. Hence my interest in the Aurender W20SE/N30SA or perhaps the Taiko. That being said, I'm loathe to drop $20K+ on an audiophile server plus the additive cost of isolation and reference USB/power cords all to conclude that the sonic difference between my current set up vs. the new was only negligible. I see you that you are using the network render module on your Select and am wondering if you've already gone through this comparison? If so, would you mind sharing your conclusion?

Thanks,
Battles
Click to expand...

Hi Battles,

I totally understand where you’re coming from as we are very much in the same position. I have not yet had the opportunity to compare the Roon Nucleus + to the Aurenders or Taiko Extreme. However, people who I know and trust have done the comparison and tell me both the Aurenders and Taiko Extreme are significantly better than my Nucleus +. What I can tell you is I recently purchased a lightly used MSB UMT-V Signature Transport and it blows away the Nucleus + in every way. Consequently, I’ve been spinning a lot more CDs lately. Additionally, if you don’t want to break the bank, you could always purchase the N20, which is supposed to be excellent, and add 16TB of SSD to it. I hope this helps.

Best,
Ken
 
Thanks Ken! Once upon a time I owned a full MSB Diamond IV+ Stack with the UMT+ and separate signature power base...I should have kept it! Are you using the USB output of the Nucleus+ into the Pro-USB module of the Select, or does the Nucleus+ offer the option to stream to the MSB's network renderer module? If you're doing the latter, have you tried isolating the Nucleus via fiber w/ a device like the EtherRegen?
 
Battles said:
Thanks Ken! Once upon a time I owned a full MSB Diamond IV+ Stack with the UMT+ and separate signature power base...I should have kept it! Are you using the USB output of the Nucleus+ into the Pro-USB module of the Select, or does the Nucleus+ offer the option to stream to the MSB's network renderer module? If you're doing the latter, have you tried isolating the Nucleus via fiber w/ a device like the EtherRegen?
Click to expand...

Hi Battles,

Yes, I am still using the Roon Nucleus + with the Renderer V2 Input Module and it sounds excellent, although not nearly as good as my MSB Transport. I really like being able to adjust the volume through Roon on my IPad. I haven’t tried the EtherRegen but I did use the Gigafoil V4 for awhile. If I were to purchase an Aurender or Taiko Extreme, I would move to the Pro USB/Pro ISL Input Module, as USB is the preferred connection on those servers.

Ken
 
Thanks Ken. You make a good point about volume control from the iPad, of which neither the Pro USB/ISL provide, but the Render module does. That would be missed.
 
dminches said:
Were you listening to Roon on the Taiko Extreme or TAS?
Click to expand...

We did not use Roon. TAS was on the Taiko and for the Aurender we used its app. All equipment was exactly the same except for disconnecting the USB from the Taiko and connecting it to the N30.
 
La Dolce Vita said:
I own both models. I agree that both are at the top of the heap. To me the W20SE has so much finesse. The N30SA is dynamic with slam… you cannot go wrong with either. One does need to think about his/her shelf space. W20SE is one chassis, N30SA is two… I do enjoy the color display on the N30SA but gravitate towards the sound of the W20SE… enjoy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Hi La Dolce Vita, et al,

I’m down to the short strokes of deciding between the N30SA and the W20SE to feed my MSB Select DAC. Will likely decide in the next 24 hours. Mike’s been helpful in sharing his opinion as have others. Saying that, for those who’ve owned or auditioned both models, and recognizing price is essentially equal as is sonic performance, are there attributes about the N30SA (besides the pretty screen) that make it a more compelling purchase after considering the need for an additional isolation platform to separate the N30SA’s CPU and power chassis, a reference power cord that is not necessary on the W20SE, an additional set of aftermarket isolation footers, etc? Seems like it requires much more equipment in tow to perform at its best. Ideally, I’d have the opportunity to demo these units in my system and decide for myself, but unfortunately I do not.

Thanks again,
Battles
 
Battles said:
Hi La Dolce Vita, et al,

I’m down to the short strokes of deciding between the N30SA and the W20SE to feed my MSB Select DAC. Will likely decide in the next 24 hours. Mike’s been helpful in sharing his opinion as have others. Saying that, for those who’ve owned or auditioned both models, and recognizing price is essentially equal as is sonic performance, are there attributes about the N30SA (besides the pretty screen) that make it a more compelling purchase after considering the need for an additional isolation platform to separate the N30SA’s CPU and power chassis, a reference power cord that is not necessary on the W20SE, an additional set of aftermarket isolation footers, etc? Ideally, I’d have the opportunity to demo these units in my system and decide for myself, but unfortunately I do not.

Thanks again,
Battles
Click to expand...

It sounds like you’re answering your own question. :-)

The N30SA is awesome - but so is the W20SE. Do you want to go to the added expense of the isolation platform, the power cord, etc., when you’re splitting hairs with respect to performance?

There is no right or wrong answer here - it’s a personal decision based on what the heart wants and on your budget.

You cannot go wrong. Enjoy.


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