N100H to N10 upgrade thoughts

[1KW]

Geezzzz what does this even mean "....I prefer the sophisticated proprietary SPDIF digital circuits that take advantage of Aurender's field programmable gate array phase locked loop system and ultra accurate OCXO oven controlled crystal oscillator clock with its incredible 0.02 ppm accuracy."


Here is the bottom line, you asked the question so you have the itch to buy one so just do it and then you can tell us if the upgrade was worthwhile

A wise man once said everything sounds good until you hear something better.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 1KW

Geezzzz what does this even mean "....I prefer the sophisticated proprietary SPDIF digital circuits that take advantage of Aurender's field programmable gate array phase locked loop system and ultra accurate OCXO oven controlled crystal oscillator clock with its incredible 0.02 ppm accuracy."

David.......It means exactly what it says. If you don't understand it, you really should try to get a home audition of the Aurender N10 and do a head to head comparison with the USB output on your N100H to the coaxial output on the N10. USB output is clocked by the oscillator in your DAC. The SPDIF coaxial, Toslink, and AES/EBU outputs in the N10 are clocked by the oven controlled crystal oscillator with an astonishing 0.02 ppm accuracy. That is a huge improvement in clock accuracy over even the DAC clock in the Esoteric K1 Grandioso, and I am certain is also a huge improvement over whatever clock is in the McIntosh D1100 DAC. Less error in clock accuracy means substantially lower jitter. Lowering jitter dramatically improves digital playback sound quality.

I know you are satisfied with your Aurender N100H and rightfully so. It is a fine music server. I am considering one for my living room system. I certainly do not think the N100H is a weak performer. Despite that, in many head to head comparisons by N100H owners who moved up to the N10, the discovery of improved audio performance was apparent. It has been detailed by a number of members on this forum and on others forums. The N10's proprietary SPDIF output circuitry and oven controlled crystal oscillator are unique to the Aurender N10 and W20 music servers. It is not an afterthought tossed in to drive up the price. The SPDIF output section and specialized clock on the N10 produces genuine audible improvements that are readily discernible.

None of this makes the Aurender N100H, or the new N100C less attractive. They both outperform their price points by a wide margin and are huge hits among Aurender music server owners. I have no doubt I would be satisfied with the N100H in my living room system. None the less, this doesn't negate the fact that moving up to an Aurender N10 will deliver an even higher performance level.

[Masterlu]

This got me curious to check the accuracy of the Grandioso G1 Clock:

Frequency Precision Within ±0.05 ppb accuracy. That’s parts per billion, just crazy.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

This got me curious to check the accuracy of the Grandioso G1 Clock:

Frequency Precision Within ±0.05 ppb accuracy. That’s parts per billion, just crazy.

Ivan.......Yes, the Esoteric outboard clocks are astonishing with exceptional accuracy. Every post I have read where Esoteric DAC owners are using external Esoteric clocks, the comments all support substantial sonic improvements with the clock running the show. From the K-03 all the way up through the newest models that include the K-01X and the K1, Esoteric states that the clock accuracy is 0.5 ppm. Obviously that level of accuracy shines with all of those player/DAC's, but as you have revealed from your own personal experiences adding an external clock substantially raised the performance bar. Clock accuracy in the digital domain matters. The differences are audible.

The OCXO clock in the Aurender N10 is just one of many reasons it is an exceptional performer and a good value when all things are considered.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Ivan.......Yes, the Esoteric outboard clocks are astonishing with exceptional accuracy. Every post I have read where Esoteric DAC owners are using external Esoteric clocks, the comments all support substantial sonic improvements with the clock running the show. From the K-03 all the way up through the newest models that include the K-01X and the K1, Esoteric states that the clock accuracy is 0.5 ppm. Obviously that level of accuracy shines with all of those player/DAC's, but as you have revealed from your own personal experiences adding an external clock substantially raised the performance bar. Clock accuracy in the digital domain matters. The differences are audible.

The OCXO clock in the Aurender N10 is just one of many reasons it is an exceptional performer and a good value when all things are considered.

Esoteric's Rubidium clocks (G01, G1 and legacy G0s and G0Rb) are ppb stable. The OCXO models are ppm rated.

For clocking stability is one important factor; as or more importance is phase noise as that directly drives calculations of effective jitter in the circuit. Esoteric makes excellent clocks in regards to both criteria and the related measurements of jitter and Allen Variance.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David...........It means exactly what it says.

[1KW]

I am no doubt the N10 is excellent .

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 1KW

David.......That's alright. You could probably quote me a sentence or two from one of your patents that would leave me scratching my head. It's all good.

[rottikid]

I’m thinking of upgrading from the Aurender N100h to the N10.
I will be using the Aurender N10 with the McIntosh C52 Preamp. I will be using a Nordost Heimdall 2 digital cable 75 Ohm S/PDIF Terminated with BNC and has RCA adapters. The McIntosh Preamp has Optical and COAXIAL not BNC. Should I use Aurender BNC to COXIAL using RCA adapter on the McIntosh or Aurender COAXIAL to McIntosh COAXIAL. Is there a difference going from BNC TO COAXIAL. Which is the best way to Hookup for the BEST Sound. I don’t even know if hooking up BNC TO COAXIAL will work. Thanks so much for everyone’s help and I wish you all a Very Healthy And Happy [emoji2] New Year.
Jim

[audio bill]

Jim - BNC is generally the preferred connector for coaxial digital cables over RCA due to its more accurate 75 ohm impedance resulting in lower jitter. So the answer to your question is to use the Nordost Heimdall 2 S/PDIF cable with its BNC termination from the Aurender N10 to the McIntosh coaxial digital input connected with the BNC to RCA adapter. That should work well, and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you as well. Enjoy the tunes!