Thanks for the report.
I have scheduled an audition of the N10 in a couple of weeks. Maybe I should add the W20SE :D

This is good info. Thanks. In my system, the Vivaldi transport trounces the W20. Maybe W20SE will do the trick. Price is double of the W20 from 5 years ago. Time to save up.

Thanks for your update - I've been listening now to my w20se just for a few hours and am completely agree with your experience. I'm just blown away by how wonderful the w20se sounds. The background silence is several steps lower than the w20 - and from this wonderful black background emerges details, and rhythm, and music. Any aspect one can name (soundstage, details, instrument timbre, timing, etc) is a very noticeable advancement.
I also had an N10, then w20, and now the w20se. Each step has been a major leap in my experience. Each in their own right is amazing, and given one's budget you can expect outstanding performance at each price point. So one can't go wrong. The w20se compared to w20 though is a major advancement - Aurender has done it again! Congratulations to the team at Aurender for their amazing accomplishment - well done!

Update: After a few days of break in, I'd like to up my previous comments to absolutely stunning! The W20se is truly in a league of its own. Wow wow -- highly recommended...

Just an update on the W20SE.

I had an issue with a popping sound with DSD to PCM between tracks and just want to complement Aurender's continued support to get this fixed. It took a bit but they got the job done. Could of very easily threw their hands up at some point yet they did not. I know of few companies that work so hard to support their customers as Aurender does. I know issues are bothersome but they do care and will eventually get a fix if you have some patience and work with them beyond complaining and nasty comments.

You got to realize that its essentially a computer with many DAC's that it interacts with of various internal workings and designs. I can't but feel for them the immense complexity to make it all work. Its a testament to a great company and their people that they just get the job done. Well done Aurender!!

Totally agree, Aurender is great with support :thumbsup:

Enjoying these posts on the new Aurender W20SE. Anything more to add? Does anyone incorporate in their system a master-clock component? If so, is it being used for the DAC and the Aurender?

I haven't tried or considered a master clock so far. The W20SE is absolutely amazing all on its own :)

Strong endorsement. Hmmmm . . .
[emoji848]

I appreciate these and other comments. I was thinking about upgrading from my Auralic G2 but was unsure of what kind of improvements to expect. I was thinking the dominant character would come from the DAC and not the streamer. So I wasn’t sure if the upgrade would be worth it. I was considering the N10. If I error when I upgrade it is trying to save a few bucks. It always fails. So when I read that there were significant improvements between the N10 and W20 and W20SE, that clearly indicated any intermediate steps would be a waste of time and money. Within a few minutes listening to my new W20SE absolutely confirmed this. No question this was the right decision. Thanks. Really helpful listening to folks that have heard each. I enjoy listening to my system not fiddling, testing, and breaking in gear. On the other hand I am retired and don’t want to be throwing money at stuff, “just in case”.

Anyone tried master clocks? Which and what’it do?

I have a master clock built in to my Select2 DAC so I’ll try it with and without the W20SE being slaved to the clock. Making a few system changes at the moment so that report will have to wait few weeks.