Aurender N10 Caching Music Server review

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

Ok. just listened to the N10. It was a huge upgrade to the N10, details were pouring out from my digital music collection like I've never heard before. The soundstage became even bigger. My 802D3's suddenly disappeared in thin air and a huge production stage just popped out. Quite sensational.

It only took me about 20 minutes after I listened to the N10 to place an order. Should get it next week!

Originally Posted by docmd2010

Dan, quick note, should I upgrade the USB cable to a coax to take advantage of the clock?

Aditya.......I must mention that I am smiling from ear to ear. I am happy that you managed to audition the N10 after the N100H. Your reaction is exactly what I would have expected. The Aurender N10 is remarkable. Congratulations on making what I consider the best choice.

I suggest you keep the Platinum Starlight USB cable but I would add a Platinum Starlight coaxial digital cable. In order to take advantage of the fabulous SPDIF digital outputs and the incredible accuracy of the OCXO clock on the N10 you will need to use the coaxial output. I have both the Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable and the Platinum Starlight coaxial cables connected between the N10 and the K-03 DAC inputs. That way I can use either just by selecting the different DAC input. It's not necessary, but it provides the option to make direct comparisons.

[docmd2010]

Done. Ivan, here i come!

[docmd2010]

Now, to save up some serious $$$ for an esoteric DAC! Aiming for either the K01X or the D02X.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

Now, to save up some serious $$$ for an esoteric DAC! Aiming for either the K01X or the D02X.

Aditya.......You are building an amazing sound system. I built mine the same way, one step at a time. There is great satisfaction in seeing a dream materialize.

[docmd2010]

Dan, just sent u a pm!

[ehoove]

A wonderful review and detailed journey, a guide book to follow in pursuit of the N10. Great looking system BTW, I'm sure it sounds fabulous!
Regards,
Jim

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by ehoove

A wonderful review and detailed journey, a guide book to follow in pursuit of the N10. Great looking system BTW, I'm sure it sounds fabulous!

Jim.......Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed the review. The N10 is fabulous.

[RLF]

Dan,

I'm a bit late to party in finding your excellent and well written review of the N10. I've owned my N10 since February 2016 and upgrading from a MicMini with external USB hard drive was a sonic revelation to put it mildly.

I've been using a Synergistic Research Galileo USB cable between my Aurender and DAC and have never tested coax or XLR digital cables with it. Until I read your review, I didn't realize that the N10's clock was not in the path with the USB connection. Your review has inspired me to try a high quality XLR digital cable soon to compare with USB to see if I can hear a difference with my newly acquired Ayre QX-5 DAC which is also supposed to have a high quality clock even though Ayre has not published any specs on it.

Bob

[jdandy]

Bob.......Glad you discovered the N10 review. There are more Aurender N10 owners here than I realized. I was feeling like the lone wolf in the beginning.

I have both the USB and the digital coaxial outputs from the Aurender N10 going to my Esoteric K-03 DAC. Both sound very close to each other but I still find a preference for the coaxial output. I want to take advantage of that incredible clock accuracy the SPDIF outputs use.

I will be interested in your impressions once you have had an opportunity to do the USB versus SPDIF comparison for yourself. Be sure and let us know what you think.

[Matt Lan]

Hi Dan (or anyone familiar) - just want to confirm my understanding of a few technical aspects. The Aurender (either N10 or N100) can only access NAS by physically connecting a router - not wireless, right?

Also trying to visualize, how does Tidal streaming work?

I read the user manual and Tidal seems to be driven off the Conductor App. Sorry for my newbie questions, but how are the Tidal music files actually accessed and streamed to the Aurender?

I guess what I am really asking is, in either scenario above, is physical Ethernet connection required?

And by extension, assuming a scenario where all data was on the internal Aurender HD, how does the unit communicate with the Conductor app if not wifi? Bluetooth? I read a review online that said in essence "there is no wireless" but I might have misunderstood.

Thanks in advance for clarifying. I am clearly new to this and "sweating the details". Avoiding internet cables in my listening (living) room would be nice.

Cheers

Matt

Cheers