Aurender N10 Caching Music Server review

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Dan,

According to my source, Aurender is currently working feverishly on Core MQA Unfolding for their N10 model. It should be completed within the next few months. Probably the W20 and N100H too. I'm holding off on my N10 purchase until they get it done. If they can't deliver, I'll go with the Lumin U1, which already has a successful MQA Core Unfolding Beta version out. I'm currently a new owner of the Berkeley Reference 2 MQA DAC, which offers MQA Rendering but not Core MQA Unfolding.

Ken.......This will certainly be interesting to keep an eye on. Core MQA unfolding on my Aurender N10 would be a nice upgrade, although I'm not holding my breath.

[JMD]

Dan

Wouldn't that just be a software upgrade for the non DAC models just like for the Lumin U1? As they already have full decoding on the A10 shouldn't be that difficult if they are so inclined.

[jdandy]

Jack.......I am far from a MQA expert. I am assuming that Core MQA unfolding would provide the first level unfold. If that is the case, then 24Bit/96KHz playback of MQA music files should be made available as I understand it. If that is something that can be made available through firmware, that would be tremendous. Please feel free to correct my assumption if I am wrong.

[JMD]

Dan

That's my understanding. That initial unfold is software/ firmware based just like with the Tidal desktop app. They would just need to make the unfold from the A10 applicable to the non DAC models firmware. Don't see a reason they wouldn't if they are planning no more model changes until the next Munich show.

[justubes]

Hi,

How are you finding the Berkeley ref 2 sonics over your Esoteric?

It's a good move for streaming MQA.

[bmichels]

I was tempted by the W20, but I discovered that... the 2 AES connectors of my DAC do not support dual mode AES/EBU. And also my DAC does not have Clock input.

So, I wonder if, without use of the dual mode AES/EBU and the Clock input, will the W20 still offer an advantage over the N10, or if, with my DAC configuration, will the N10 sound as good as the W20 ?

The N10 is indeed much more recent than the W20 that is quite aging now...

[GW1800]

The quick answer is YES!!!

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by GW1800

The quick answer is YES!!!

Bmichells asked two opposing questions. Which one is yes?

[GW1800]

Ok. Yes the W20 sounds better then the N10 even with a single XLR and no clock

[bmichels]

Thanks...

So, now I need to find a 2nd Hand W20 (ideally Black)