Aurender A10 music server has internal MQA DAC

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Dan, you already own it, your conscious is just late with relaying the command from the subconscious.

Serge.......

[PHC1]

Came across this Aurender A10 review while educating myself on the topic of Aurender Perhaps some of you have not seen this one yet?

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/c...er-a10-review/

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Came across this Aurender A10 review while educating myself on the topic of Aurender Perhaps some of you have not seen this one yet?

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/c...er-a10-review/

Serge.......Good read. Thanks. That is exactly what I have been saying and thinkng about the Aurender A10.

[Timobi]

So...on the A10. Am I correct if I say if one used the USB output to a Preamp/DAC like the D1100 then there is where the DAC would be used? And if one uses the XLR outs, then the A10 is doing it all.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Timobi

So...on the A10. Am I correct if I say if one used the USB output to a Preamp/DAC like the D1100 then there is where the DAC would be used? And if one uses the XLR outs, then the A10 is doing it all.

Timobi.......That is correct. Using the Aurender A10 USB output would require and external DAC, otherwise you would use the A10's analog outputs to make use of its internal dual DACs. What I am not sure about is whether using an external DAC like the McIntosh D1100 would still provide you with full hardware MQA decoding.

[Timobi]

So true. Not sure the D1100 can do it. Or what it does with it. Thx Dan!

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Timobi.......That is correct. Using the Aurender A10 USB output would require and external DAC, otherwise you would use the A10's analog outputs to make use of its internal dual DACs. What I am not sure about is whether using an external DAC like the McIntosh D1100 would still provide you with full hardware MQA decoding.

Digital outputs with MQA source material can only output MQA Core (the first unfold). MQA's final stage of decoding is considered DAC dependent so it is not currently available via digital outputs. You will only achieve full MQA decoding with an external DAC if it either provides full MQA decoding on its own or if it functions as an MQA Renderer on the MQA Core output.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by audio bill

Digital outputs with MQA source material can only output MQA Core (the first unfold). MQA's final stage of decoding is considered DAC dependent so it is not currently available via digital outputs. You will only achieve full MQA decoding with an external DAC if it either provides full MQA decoding on its own or if it functions as an MQA Renderer on the MQA Core output.

Bill.......Thanks for the explanation. I had assumed that would be the case but wasn't positively certain. The Aurender A10 supports full hardware MQA decoding of the entire unfolding process through the analog outputs on this music streamer/DAC. The Aurender A10 will reproduce the complete MQA experience.

[audio bill]

Dan - Understood and absolutely correct regarding the A10's analog outputs supporting full MQA decoding, I was only addressing the digital output in my previous post.

[Timobi]

So..HMM. Wonder what would be the better the A10 or N10? I realize there are many factors. The N10 can have a 8TB drive if desired. And with the N10 there are a variety of Digital outputs. The highly regarded clock...

Guessing it may come down to what ones needs are? I don't have a ton of digital music. Currently maybe a tad under 2TB. I would say a 700 gig-maybe-of Hi-Rez/DSD. Rest is Redbook.

I will confess that I've never tried Tidal or any other CD quality streaming. Just pandora and Spotify. When I sit down to chill and want to get lost in the music, my routine is to turn on the Sony HDD streamer and currently using the XLR outputs. Only way on the Sony That will change when I get the Mac D1100 delivered and will want to take advantage of the excellent DAC. And of course, my vinyl collection.