Post by John on Jul 28, 2024 15:12:38 GMT
Aurender A15
This will be a strange review as I can only give a few direct comparisons, so I will rely on my vast experience of previous systems.
Equipment
Streamers
Aurender A15
Cary DMS 800
Wiim Pro
DACs
Ideon EOS
Topping D90
Engineizer Molnjir Carbon CC
Headphones
Stax 007 MK1
History
I was one of the early movers to a digital based platform. In the early days it was mostly file based and then Spotify, YouTube and Qobuz.
Build Quality
1. Chassis Construction. The A15 features a robust and elegant aluminium chassis, providing both durability and aesthetic appeal. This design helps minimise vibrations and resonance, which can affect sound quality.
2. Weight and Stability. The unit is relatively heavy, which further aids in reducing vibrations and ensuring stability during operation.
3. Display.: It includes a high-resolution front display, offering clear and detailed information about the current playback status, album artwork, and more.
4. Connectors. The rear panel is equipped with high-quality connectors, ensuring reliable and secure connections for digital and analogue outputs.
Design Features
1. DAC Integration. The A15 integrates dual-mono AK4490 DAC chips. This allows the A15 to function as both a streamer and a high-quality DAC.
2. Connectivity Options. It offers a range of connectivity options including USB, coaxial and optical, as well as balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs.
3. Storage. The A15 can be configured with internal storage, supporting up to 8TB of SSDs, ensuring ample space for large music libraries.
4. User Interface.: It features Aurender’s Conductor app, which provides a user-friendly interface for browsing and managing music libraries. The app is compatible with various streaming services and offers seamless integration.
5. Network Capabilities.: The A15 supports high-resolution streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify, and is Roon Ready. It can connect to a network via Ethernet for stable, high-speed data transfer. It also supports internet radio.
6. Power Supply. The unit employs a high-quality linear power supply, reducing electrical noise and providing clean power to the audio circuits, enhancing overall sound quality.
The power supply in the Aurender A15 is a crucial component that significantly influences its performance, ensuring clean and stable power delivery to the various circuits within the unit. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the power supply system works and its impact on the streamer's performance:
Power Supply System in the Aurender A15
The Aurender A15 employs a linear power supply (LPS).The linear power supply features a high-quality toroidal transformer.
The power supply includes multiple stages of voltage regulation to ensure that the power delivered to each section of the A15 is stable and precise. This helps in minimising voltage fluctuations that can introduce noise and degrade audio performance.
High-quality capacitors are used for filtering out any remaining noise and ripple in the power supply. These capacitors help in smoothing the DC power, providing a clean power source to the audio circuits.
Power Distribution
The A15’s power supply features dedicated rails for different sections of the device. This separation helps in isolating noise between components, ensuring that sensitive circuits such as the DACs and the streamer receive the cleanest possible power.
The dual-mono AK4490 DACs in the A15 have their own dedicated, regulated power supplies. This isolation ensures that the DACs operate with minimal interference from other components, enhancing their performance and accuracy.
The digital board, including the main processor and network components, is powered separately to avoid digital noise from contaminating the analogue circuits.
The linear power supply’s low-noise characteristics significantly reduce the electrical noise that can affect both digital and analogue signals. This results in a clearer and more accurate sound reproduction.
With a stable and clean power supply, the DACs and analogue output stages can achieve a higher dynamic range and improved clarity. This is crucial for delivering high-resolution audio with all its nuances.
A robust power supply design enhances the overall reliability of the device. By providing consistent power, it ensures that the A15 operates reliably over long periods, maintaining its performance without degradation.
Additional Features
The A15 uses caching playback technology, which loads tracks into a solid-state cache before playback, reducing reliance on external network conditions and improving playback stability.
LAN isolators on the Aurender A15 serve an essential role in enhancing the audio performance by mitigating potential noise and interference that can be introduced via network connections. Here's a detailed explanation of what LAN isolators do and how they impact the A15:
Function of LAN Isolators
1. LAN isolators act as barriers that block electrical noise and interference from entering the audio components through the Ethernet connection. This noise can originate from various sources, including network switches, routers, and other connected devices.
2. By electrically isolating the Ethernet connection, LAN isolators prevent ground loops. Ground loops can create hum and other types of noise, which can degrade the audio quality. Isolating the ground between network equipment and the audio system helps eliminate this issue.
3. LAN isolators help maintain the integrity of the digital signal being transmitted over the network. By reducing interference, they ensure that the data reaches the A15 without degradation, which is crucial for high-resolution audio streaming.
How LAN Isolators Work
1. LAN isolators typically use tiny transformers or capacitive coupling within the Ethernet port. These components allow the data signal to pass through while blocking DC currents and other noise.
2. Using galvanic isolation ensures that there is no direct electrical connection between the two sides of the network connection. It allows for the transfer of data without transferring electrical noise.
Impact on Aurender A15’s Performance
1. By isolating the network connection from electrical noise, LAN isolators contribute to a cleaner audio signal. This results in improved clarity and detail in the audio playback.
2. Reducing noise and interference helps in achieving a more stable and reliable network connection, which is crucial for uninterrupted streaming of high-resolution audio.
3. Overall, the presence of LAN isolators helps in maintaining the purity of the audio signal, leading to better sound quality with reduced noise and distortion.
It comes with a remote control, allowing for convenient operation without needing to access the unit directly.
As you can see a lot of attention has been paid both to keeping the electrical noise floor low and the audio signal as clean as possible. This all helps with perceived depth, detail and body.
The App
The Aurender conductor app is intuitive to use and I did not find any issues with it. In the last few years apps have greatly improved. From someone who originally came from Jplay to 2 pc Jplay to bughead, to volumio, to Bubble and Wiim it's clear to see the progress.
This is a radical step up to something like the Cary app which in my setup is unusable.
In use moving between files stored on hard drive, to a USB stick is a breeze. Setting up Qobuz is easy. They also provide support and allow for suggestions for future updates.
My only gripe is no casting via android. Using apple via an app means the music is not in sync and sound quality greatly diminished.
Comparisons
The Ideon EOS with the Wiim Pro. I think just a unbalanced combination. The DAC has tremendous body, I just felt I was getting nowhere near it's potential. Two potential factors for this, I now use a better cable between the Carbon CC and XLR out from the EOS DAC and a better streamer would make a difference. The noise floor is no where near that of the Aurender A15, this helps with the imaging and soundstage.
The Cary was just impossible to evaluate due to the constant skipping when using Qobuz with an Android tablet or phone. This was like going back to the dark days of early streaming solutions (my worst ever experience of streaming). The issue might not be present with Tidal or using IOS devices.
The Aurender ACS100 with the Topping D90 DAC. This was quite nice. I could easily live with the ACS and feel a better DAC would be quite a good combination.
Once I got the cabling sorted on the Aurender A15 I was instantly transported to my happy place. I can sink into the music and no longer feel frustrated with what I am hearing.
Listening impressions.
Those who ride with Giants: The Deepness.
This is such a great test track as will show up faults (such as electrical noise) in the system. Took a while to get this dialled in, but no harshness in mid’s or bass
Zero Hour: Demise and Vestige.
Does it rock but keep control. Hell, yeah it does. Managed to keep timing and control whilst giving the energy of this complex song. It lacks the clout and the harmonic structure of the EOS.
Surinder Sandhu. Re-Visted
There is a naturalness of timbre and sense of speed, that really helps with this type of music. It takes you deep into the music without any sense of fatigue.
Pros
• Easy fuss free set up. With a functional app that continues to develop. This is one of the best apps I have come across.
• Natural Timbre and speed.
• Low noise floor no matter if listening to files or streaming.
Cons
• Cost
• Does not have the clout of the EOS
This will be a strange review as I can only give a few direct comparisons, so I will rely on my vast experience of previous systems.
Equipment
Streamers
Aurender A15
Cary DMS 800
Wiim Pro
DACs
Ideon EOS
Topping D90
Engineizer Molnjir Carbon CC
Headphones
Stax 007 MK1
History
I was one of the early movers to a digital based platform. In the early days it was mostly file based and then Spotify, YouTube and Qobuz.
Build Quality
1. Chassis Construction. The A15 features a robust and elegant aluminium chassis, providing both durability and aesthetic appeal. This design helps minimise vibrations and resonance, which can affect sound quality.
2. Weight and Stability. The unit is relatively heavy, which further aids in reducing vibrations and ensuring stability during operation.
3. Display.: It includes a high-resolution front display, offering clear and detailed information about the current playback status, album artwork, and more.
4. Connectors. The rear panel is equipped with high-quality connectors, ensuring reliable and secure connections for digital and analogue outputs.
Design Features
1. DAC Integration. The A15 integrates dual-mono AK4490 DAC chips. This allows the A15 to function as both a streamer and a high-quality DAC.
2. Connectivity Options. It offers a range of connectivity options including USB, coaxial and optical, as well as balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs.
3. Storage. The A15 can be configured with internal storage, supporting up to 8TB of SSDs, ensuring ample space for large music libraries.
4. User Interface.: It features Aurender’s Conductor app, which provides a user-friendly interface for browsing and managing music libraries. The app is compatible with various streaming services and offers seamless integration.
5. Network Capabilities.: The A15 supports high-resolution streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify, and is Roon Ready. It can connect to a network via Ethernet for stable, high-speed data transfer. It also supports internet radio.
6. Power Supply. The unit employs a high-quality linear power supply, reducing electrical noise and providing clean power to the audio circuits, enhancing overall sound quality.
The power supply in the Aurender A15 is a crucial component that significantly influences its performance, ensuring clean and stable power delivery to the various circuits within the unit. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the power supply system works and its impact on the streamer's performance:
Power Supply System in the Aurender A15
The Aurender A15 employs a linear power supply (LPS).The linear power supply features a high-quality toroidal transformer.
The power supply includes multiple stages of voltage regulation to ensure that the power delivered to each section of the A15 is stable and precise. This helps in minimising voltage fluctuations that can introduce noise and degrade audio performance.
High-quality capacitors are used for filtering out any remaining noise and ripple in the power supply. These capacitors help in smoothing the DC power, providing a clean power source to the audio circuits.
Power Distribution
The A15’s power supply features dedicated rails for different sections of the device. This separation helps in isolating noise between components, ensuring that sensitive circuits such as the DACs and the streamer receive the cleanest possible power.
The dual-mono AK4490 DACs in the A15 have their own dedicated, regulated power supplies. This isolation ensures that the DACs operate with minimal interference from other components, enhancing their performance and accuracy.
The digital board, including the main processor and network components, is powered separately to avoid digital noise from contaminating the analogue circuits.
The linear power supply’s low-noise characteristics significantly reduce the electrical noise that can affect both digital and analogue signals. This results in a clearer and more accurate sound reproduction.
With a stable and clean power supply, the DACs and analogue output stages can achieve a higher dynamic range and improved clarity. This is crucial for delivering high-resolution audio with all its nuances.
A robust power supply design enhances the overall reliability of the device. By providing consistent power, it ensures that the A15 operates reliably over long periods, maintaining its performance without degradation.
Additional Features
The A15 uses caching playback technology, which loads tracks into a solid-state cache before playback, reducing reliance on external network conditions and improving playback stability.
LAN isolators on the Aurender A15 serve an essential role in enhancing the audio performance by mitigating potential noise and interference that can be introduced via network connections. Here's a detailed explanation of what LAN isolators do and how they impact the A15:
Function of LAN Isolators
1. LAN isolators act as barriers that block electrical noise and interference from entering the audio components through the Ethernet connection. This noise can originate from various sources, including network switches, routers, and other connected devices.
2. By electrically isolating the Ethernet connection, LAN isolators prevent ground loops. Ground loops can create hum and other types of noise, which can degrade the audio quality. Isolating the ground between network equipment and the audio system helps eliminate this issue.
3. LAN isolators help maintain the integrity of the digital signal being transmitted over the network. By reducing interference, they ensure that the data reaches the A15 without degradation, which is crucial for high-resolution audio streaming.
How LAN Isolators Work
1. LAN isolators typically use tiny transformers or capacitive coupling within the Ethernet port. These components allow the data signal to pass through while blocking DC currents and other noise.
2. Using galvanic isolation ensures that there is no direct electrical connection between the two sides of the network connection. It allows for the transfer of data without transferring electrical noise.
Impact on Aurender A15’s Performance
1. By isolating the network connection from electrical noise, LAN isolators contribute to a cleaner audio signal. This results in improved clarity and detail in the audio playback.
2. Reducing noise and interference helps in achieving a more stable and reliable network connection, which is crucial for uninterrupted streaming of high-resolution audio.
3. Overall, the presence of LAN isolators helps in maintaining the purity of the audio signal, leading to better sound quality with reduced noise and distortion.
It comes with a remote control, allowing for convenient operation without needing to access the unit directly.
As you can see a lot of attention has been paid both to keeping the electrical noise floor low and the audio signal as clean as possible. This all helps with perceived depth, detail and body.
The App
The Aurender conductor app is intuitive to use and I did not find any issues with it. In the last few years apps have greatly improved. From someone who originally came from Jplay to 2 pc Jplay to bughead, to volumio, to Bubble and Wiim it's clear to see the progress.
This is a radical step up to something like the Cary app which in my setup is unusable.
In use moving between files stored on hard drive, to a USB stick is a breeze. Setting up Qobuz is easy. They also provide support and allow for suggestions for future updates.
My only gripe is no casting via android. Using apple via an app means the music is not in sync and sound quality greatly diminished.
Comparisons
The Ideon EOS with the Wiim Pro. I think just a unbalanced combination. The DAC has tremendous body, I just felt I was getting nowhere near it's potential. Two potential factors for this, I now use a better cable between the Carbon CC and XLR out from the EOS DAC and a better streamer would make a difference. The noise floor is no where near that of the Aurender A15, this helps with the imaging and soundstage.
The Cary was just impossible to evaluate due to the constant skipping when using Qobuz with an Android tablet or phone. This was like going back to the dark days of early streaming solutions (my worst ever experience of streaming). The issue might not be present with Tidal or using IOS devices.
The Aurender ACS100 with the Topping D90 DAC. This was quite nice. I could easily live with the ACS and feel a better DAC would be quite a good combination.
Once I got the cabling sorted on the Aurender A15 I was instantly transported to my happy place. I can sink into the music and no longer feel frustrated with what I am hearing.
Listening impressions.
Those who ride with Giants: The Deepness.
This is such a great test track as will show up faults (such as electrical noise) in the system. Took a while to get this dialled in, but no harshness in mid’s or bass
Zero Hour: Demise and Vestige.
Does it rock but keep control. Hell, yeah it does. Managed to keep timing and control whilst giving the energy of this complex song. It lacks the clout and the harmonic structure of the EOS.
Surinder Sandhu. Re-Visted
There is a naturalness of timbre and sense of speed, that really helps with this type of music. It takes you deep into the music without any sense of fatigue.
Pros
• Easy fuss free set up. With a functional app that continues to develop. This is one of the best apps I have come across.
• Natural Timbre and speed.
• Low noise floor no matter if listening to files or streaming.
Cons
• Cost
• Does not have the clout of the EOS
?
📶NAS > Gustard x26p DAC > Benchmark LA4 Pre-Amp > NAD M22-V2 Amplifier > Revel F228Be Speakers