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Top music streamer for 2019? Aurender N10’s?

I will shortly be purchasing a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated with its internal DAC module.  I’m now wondering what to do about a music streamer, as I’m doubting that my current stock Mac Mini with Audirvana will do justice to the Gryphon.  My budget is < 10k.  After scanning forums this is what I’ve found consistently:  1) Aurender is frequently recommended, seemingly more so than other brands, 2) the Aurender N10 sounds much better than the much less expensive N100H, 3) Any higher end dedicated streamer will elevate sound significantly over my Mac Mini.

So it appears my best option is the Aurender N10 other than the price tag.  My questions are:  1) Do people agree with the statements above?  And, 2) How do the much less expensive Moon Mind 2 and Bluesound products compare with the Aurender N10?  Is the difference large?  And, 3) How big is the sound quality increase going to a N10 from a Mac Mini, and what specifically are the differences I should expect? 

Thanks

nyev
hgeifman
1,193 posts
 

I own the Aurender N10 Music Server and like it very much.  I listen to Tidal and Qobuz Streaming for their outstanding sound quality.  My stored CD albums also sound excellent.

The Aurender Conductor App (free) is very easy to use.  It is easy to switch between my stored CD’s, Tidal Streaming, Qobuz and Internet radio (listen to the Radio Paradise station at 320kbps).   The Aurender Conductor App "turns the iPad into a versatile user interface for Aurender Music Server/Players. All settings and functions of the Aurender Server/Music Player can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and the Aurender Conductor App comes with extensive features to make managing, viewing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze".

The Aurender N10 also supports MQA coded albums including an MQA search feature. The App provides various sort options for handling your stored CD’s.

Aurender Customer Support is excellent.  I have contacted them with requests and also questions on the operation of the Aurender.

I highly recommend the Aurender N10 music server for its excellent sound quality, build quality and an easy to use interface that makes finding your music simple.   The Aurender Conductor App enables me to quickly find the album I want and play it.  The Aurender has a 240G solid-state drive that is used to cache music for playback for the very best sound quality.

As you can see from above many posts, the selection of a music server is not an easy decision or process.  It seems, everyone has a DIFFERENT server recommendation.  I suggest you make a list of the important features your music server needs and your questions.  For example, please review:

1) What is your price range for a music server?

2)  What features does your server need?   For example, I wanted my CD albums stored in the same box, wanted Tidal, Qobuz Streaming Services and also Internet radio stations. And, also the ability to add more additional streaming services when they become available.

3)  Do you want a DAC built into the streamer or a separate DAC?   For maximum flexibility, I decided on an external DAC.

4)  What digital outputs do you need?  I decided on a Music streamer with BOTH USB and AES/EBU digital outputs to my DAC.  In most cases, I prefer the AEB/EBU connection (a high priority for me).  Some servers offer an Ethernet audio connection for output.

5)  Is a Roon interface important to you?  If needed, you need a Roon enabled server.  I decided that Roon is not required.  In my case, the Aurender Conductor App DOES exactly what I need.  However, several of my friends purchased a Roon enabled server and likes it very much. Another friend purchased the Roonlabs Nucleus by Roon Music Server and recommends it.

6)  Your server needs a controlling App that runs on an iPad or something similar.  You need to review the App to ensure it supports your needs to easily find and manage your music selections.

7) Does your server offer Remote Internet Technical Support?  The Aurender does.  I used this once and they solved my user operational issue very quickly (my error).  

8)  Sound quality is the MOST important.  In my case, I asked many questions, talked to many people, read many reviews and auditioned various servers to help me make the right decision.   I selected the Aurender N10 Music Server for its sound quality.

I hope the above helps you make a decision.  Thanks....

 


mrdon
51 posts
 
I do not yet own a Auralic Aries G1 but it is on my short list (innuos Mk III Auralic G1) and I am very curious as to why i have not yet heard anyone mention the Auralic Aries G1 in this conversation. And for that fact as far as DACS goes how about the Lab 12 Dac 1? Anyone ever heard or owned that unit?
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
1,621 posts
 
Mrdon, one previlent issue of comparing the Auralic to the Innuous is that if you want to run Roon, with an Auralic you have to have another device running Roon core.

Also with the Innuous you get a CD ripper as well.

So if you are comparing an Aurlic G1 you have to weigh in on the server issues do you want to run Roon, if so what device is going to run Roon?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Innuous dealer
nyev OP
57 posts
 
Good questions hgeifman.  Also good considerations Audiotroy (about the Gryphon DAC module having the older chip in it).  However, another HUGE dimension for me is not only sound quality, but sonic signature.  The Gryphon DAC module had a sonic signature that I really enjoyed when I auditioned it, vs other external (albeit much lesser) DACs I tested.  My takeaways were were aligned with pro reviewers who said the Gryphon DAC had a midrange that was well “grounded” and solid vs a more light and airy signature.  Also I noticed the sheer 3D largeness of the vocals to be highly enjoyable.  So even with a potentially outdated chip I find that these sonic signature qualities are most important to me.  I also found all the other “quality” metrics to be excellent as well.  Also, I don’t have any Lumin dealers near me so an audition wouldn’t even be possible.  Finally, this could be psychological bias on my part but I feel like the Gryphon DAC signature is perfectly matched to the Diablo 300 amp.  Which is probably true and no accident.  In fact, in some pro reviews of the Diablo I think that some qualities mentioned are more specific to the DAC than the amp itself.  For example I had know clue what one reviewer meant by vocals having a “golden” quality to it when auditioning the Diablo with an external DAC.  But it somehow immediately made sense when I heard the Diablo with it’s DAC module.  So, given that the Diablo DAC seems a firm decision at this point, the  Innuous seems to do all I need it to do:  Tidal integration, internal storage, good sound with good detail, at half the cost of the N10.  The Ripper and Roon support are bonuses, but to be honest I don’t get what is so great about Roon vs other players unless you really care about meta content (I don’t).  It’s not like it has better sound.  Maybe someone can explain why I should care about Roon?  Lack of AEB/EBU is a minor drawback for me on the Innuous, but a trade off I can live with because it seems to have everything else I need at a good price.
fpeel
446 posts
 
@nyev,
I have a Moon MiND2 and a Bluesound Node2. Had the Node2 first and it was convenient for using my NAS based library. But something always seemed missing in the Node2's playback; the sound seemed compressed. Always used the CD player for serious listening.

I've played both streamers through the same DAC using a high-quality digital cable, so the comparison is head-to-head. The MiND2 is easily superior to the Node2.

The MiND2 has been a breath of fresh air. Enough to inspire me to order a new upmarket DAC to compliment it. New toy next week!
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