Aurender N10 Caching Music Server review

[Arcilius]

I hope that Aurender can upgrade their N10 sometime before December. They probably can improve its internals and power supplies to sound even better. Or split it in two box solution like the Auralic G2 series.

Just a thought.

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by Arcilius

I hope that Aurender can upgrade their N10 sometime before December. They probably can improve its internals and power supplies to sound even better. Or split it in two box solution like the Auralic G2 series.



Just a thought.

I was told recently by a company rep there is no plan to update it in the near future

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Arcilius

I hope that Aurender can upgrade their N10 sometime before December. They probably can improve its internals and power supplies to sound even better. Or split it in two box solution like the Auralic G2 series.

Just a thought.

Arcilius.......I don't have a clue what you are talking about. The Aurender N10 is an exceptional performer, one of the premium music player/streamers on the market. In my humble opinion as an owner, there is no reason to mess with perfection.

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Arcilius.......I don't have a clue what you are talking about. The Aurender N10 is an exceptional performer, one of the premium music player/streamers on the market. In my humble opinion as an owner, there is no reason to mess with perfection.

+1

[htradtk]

Great review! What about MQA? I see more and more servers coming out with MQA. Next year, I may take the server plunge.

Henry

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by htradtk

Great review! What about MQA? I see more and more servers coming out with MQA. Next year, I may take the server plunge.

Henry.......The music server is not where the full MQA process takes place. It is done in the DAC and must be certified by MQA creators before it can be implemented in production DAC's. Software can be introduced in server firmware to perform the first unfold of MQA files, but the full unfolded enchilada is performed by the DAC. Therefore, if a music server includes a DAC, MQA can be fully implemented. Aurender has done this with their new A10 server/DAC. The Aurender A10 includes full decoder MQA technology, and is a fully compliant MQA end-to-end solution enabling you to play back MQA audio files and streams. Since the Aurender N10, N100H, and N100C do not incorporate DAC's in their design they are unable to provide MQA decoding.

[htradtk]

Thank you Dan! Even though I do not post to much, I always respect your experience in Audio! What is the retail on the A10? I'm sure that next year there will be more models available that have the full decoder MQA technology build in.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by htradtk

Thank you Dan! Even though I do not post to much, I always respect your experience in Audio! What is the retail on the A10? I'm sure that next year there will be more models available that have the full decoder MQA technology build in.

Henry.......The retail price on the new Aurender A10 is $5499.95. This is a good price point considering you are getting a first class music server, streamer, and MQA enabled DAC.

http://www.aurender.com/page/a10

[htradtk]

Thanks Dan! That's a good price point for me. Will read the review. Take care my friend!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Henry.......The music server is not where the full MQA process takes place. It is done in the DAC and must be certified by MQA creators before it can be implemented in production DAC's. Software can be introduced in server firmware to perform the first unfold of MQA files, but the full unfolded enchilada is performed by the DAC. Therefore, if a music server includes a DAC, MQA can be fully implemented. Aurender has done this with their new A10 server/DAC. The Aurender A10 includes full decoder MQA technology, and is a fully compliant MQA end-to-end solution enabling you to play back MQA audio files and streams. Since the Aurender N10, N100H, and N100C do not incorporate DAC's in their design they are unable to provide MQA decoding.

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.

Best,
Ken