Anyone Using An Aurender W20?

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Has anyone tried the Aurender W20 with the Esoteric G-01 master clock connected to its clock input? If so, was there a material improvement in sound quality (over the W20's internal clock) when using the W20's AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital outputs to their DAC? I'm not interested in the W20's USB digital output because asynchronous protocol uses the DAC's clock, not the W20's clock.

Thanks so much,
Ken

Ken,
Sorry I missed this. Take this with a grain of salt but IMO, adding a clock is not a night and day difference like some component changes. I don't believe a clock changes the presentation or sound but adds a level of refinement that sinks in after awhile. I notice better timbre & accuracy that makes music sound effortless. In my limited experience, a clock will get you the last few percentage points but I would have everything else in line before I added one. Just a data point but my cable upgrade was noticeably different from the moment they were connected and the clock not so much. If you want more bang for the buck, look elsewhere in your system but as I'm sure your system is quite resolving, a clock will add a bit more. The law of diminishing returns applies but with your equipment, would be really nice!

Dave

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your response! Lots to think about on the music server front, especially with the intro of MQA on the near horizon. Haven't ruled out the master clock addition though. Maybe at some point in the future.

Best,
Ken

[joeling]

Atomic clock makes a difference.

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by joeling

Atomic clock makes a difference.

Hi Joe,
It does make a difference but imo is more subtle. In terms of a clock with the W20, it depends on the dac and the connection. I'm using SPDIF but duel AES/EBU would be ideal but my dac doesn't support it. I'm not sure where the better clock is, the K01x or W20?

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Ken,
Sorry I missed this. Take this with a grain of salt but IMO, adding a clock is not a night and day difference like some component changes. I don't believe a clock changes the presentation or sound but adds a level of refinement that sinks in after awhile. I notice better timbre & accuracy that makes music sound effortless. In my limited experience, a clock will get you the last few percentage points but I would have everything else in line before I added one. Just a data point but my cable upgrade was noticeably different from the moment they were connected and the clock not so much. If you want more bang for the buck, look elsewhere in your system but as I'm sure your system is quite resolving, a clock will add a bit more. The law of diminishing returns applies but with your equipment, would be really nice!

Dave

Well said...best way though to hear what an external clock, any clock manufacturer, does for you is to use it for many weeks and then remove it from the system and go back to normal onboard PLL or other clock-gen circuitry.

The difference will then hit you much more profoundly IMHO having done this with 7 different clocks over the years plus a couple more demos...

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I just ordered the W20 and am hoping some members can give me feedback on their setup and listening impressions. I plan to use the W20 with the Esoteric K-01X and G-01 clock but I haven't found too many reviews with Esoteric gear. I ordered the W20 for a few reasons:
1. I'm computer illiterate! I need a plug & play device.
2. Its the only server that I know of that incorporates a master/word clock.
3. I like the App and usage with Tidal. I'm always looking for new music.
4. My dealer says Aurender has not had any failed drives - Reassuring based
on some early speculation.

Are members using clocks with their W20?
Does anyone prefer AES/EBU over USB?
What cables are you using?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Dave

[joeling]

Oops, I must be half asleep when I wrote this. I meant that adding an atomic clock to the DCS Vivaldi does make a difference. As to whether adding a wordclock to W20, I've always had it and so did not do any A/B comparison.

However, for practically, if one is adding a 44.1 / 48 Mhz wordclock, - it is more convenient to have a unit that can be slaved to the W20 to auto change the wordclock frequency depending on the music format (e.g. 16/44.1 vs 24/96). The Vivaldi clock allows for it via an USB to RS232 interface.

Regards,
Joe Ling

[custodian]

I’m using the w20 into my DCS Scarlatti via Siltech reference dual AES/EBU. W20 is synched to Scarlatti master clock which is then synched from my own 10mHz master clock built with an Oscilloquartz BVA 8607 oscillator.

I find the choice of clock cables to be very important. Choosing cables where there is no evidence of internal reflections from terminations makes a difference.

W20 replaced my original s10 which was first unit sold in the UK. S10 now doing great service in a friend’s system. I’ve not heard the other more recent Aurender models.

[jazzluvva]

Hey all,
Apologies if this is a stupid question. I currently connect my W20 to my Esoteric K01X via USB as per my dealers recommendation. I am curious as to whether there is any theoretical advantage of using the XLR connections instead? Many thanks in advance , as usual. Kevin

[docmd2010]

There is a clear advantage to it. I have an Estoeric D02X and connect my N10 to with both USB and single AES/EBU. I've switched back and forth inputs and the AES/EBU is better, more dynamic and better midrange clarity. It's a shame that the K01X doesn't support dual AES/EBU as you have that capability with the W20.

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by docmd2010

There is a clear advantage to it. I have an Estoeric D02X and connect my N10 to with both USB and single AES/EBU. I've switched back and forth inputs and the AES/EBU is better, more dynamic and better midrange clarity. It's a shame that the K01X doesn't support dual AES/EBU as you have that capability with the W20.

Agreed