Aurender X100 [DAC + Hard Drive]
 

After months and months of searching, I think I may have found the right DAC + Hard Drive solution. The Aurender X100. I did look at their upper end models [W20 and S10 and I like these, because they have the meters that would fit nicely with my current McIntosh equipment] but the X100 offers the type of configuration I want that the more reference designs do not offer. An all in one DAC + Hard Drive. I also considered the Lumin and they offer a really impressive product as well. But, I am stuck with attaching the library storage to the network.

Yes, I know the DAC + Hard Drive solution is offered by McIntosh/Autonomic via MB100 but the MB100 has fundamental issues and unfortunately, not a viable rational reasonable solution. Anyway, at one time, Meridian [Sooloos] was an option but it appears they have moved away from the all in one solution as well.

It appears that the de facto standard push is either a combonation Music Server DAC + Libary or a Music Server + DAC + Library. For me, that's just too many components for a one room solution. I have no interest in streaming or subscribing to streaming services. I already have a comprehensive audio library that I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for and want to use it.

As I begin again to embarace the music all in one dac/server/library adventure: My thought is, I don't want to deal with having to learn a configuration. At these price points, they should just work right out of the box. Companies like Apple, Samsung and others on the very cheap end strive to make things works right out of the box. These multi thousands dollar units should work flawlessly: plug and play.

I could of course, continue to use my AK240 plugged into the rear of either the C2500 or MCD550 and in the near future, MCD1100. But, I would like an all in one rack solution and not have to fiddle with my portable units.

1. Does anyone out there have the X100 and if so, what has been your experience?

2. I would wager that the Aurender is going to beat the pants off McIntosh/Autonomics but are there issues that you have encountered?

3. Any other recommendations?

Excellent choice. I have owned the X100L for 11 months now. I love it. Sounded great connected to the MCD1100 via USB. it has NEVER EVER froze, stuttered, shut down, whatever. Perfect operation since day 1. Very simple to use. The App is fantastic. Tidal integration is a snap. Couldn't be more pleased. Dollar for dollar Best $3500 addition every put into my system. You will love it. By the way, there is no DAC inside any Aurender music server. You will use DAC in your c2500 or Mcd550 or mcd1100

Awesome awesome awesome Mr. j3brow That's exactly wheat I am looking for. I am LAZY. I want to plug it in and play. I had no idea what the price was. I have a retailer looking into that for me as we speak. $3500 bucks, that's a bargain!

Thanks for the feedback. I'm excited about buying it.

BTW: is the device friendly enough to say, pop in a SSD if I want to change out drives? Say, Samsung debuts a 2 TB SSD. An option?

@j3brow

Boom! Just now completed purchasing the unit. I would love the W20 but it simply requires too much effort to set up. The X100 will be perfect. Plug N Play!

Awesome! Congrats. Which size drive did you get? I went with 6TB total (two 3TB drives). I split my collection between the two internal drives. Artists A - L on drive 1 and M - Z on the 2nd drive. That way, in case a drive dies, and eventually one will, I will know everything that was lost and be able to get back in business quickly. Everything is backed up on external drives (I actually have 3 backup copies at the moment). I know if/when drive fails, it is serviceable in the field. No need to send it back to Korea. Install new drive. Aurender remotes in. They get you backup and running. Enjoy.

Pics show 2,763 albums in my library, that's 3TB of music. Couldn't listen to it all in 3 lifetimes .......

I went with 1TB because I want to install a SSD if possible. I have so many tunes. I think 1TB is great for music. My music room is a my sanctuary. Simple and easy to use.

When I eventually get my media server up and running, and there I have 2 x 16TB promise Raid 5 mirrored, then pumped over to my Western Digital My Cloud 24TB server. That makes more sense to me and if I want to tap into that for the houses I have: music rooms, theaters and whole house streaming. But for my music, I want something more static and easily controlled.

You can change up the display too. Here is a iPhone photo of the blue screen. Not a perfect McIntosh match but kinda fun. If only the x100L could be ordered in black like either S10 or W20.

Wow. You got it completely covered. Nice job. Nice form factor on the X100S and few hundred cheaper too! Win win.

There's always black spray paint LOL. But, nice. Blue lights. I'm feeling really good about this purchase.

So what's the difference between this and the lumin L1 at half the price?