{"id":24887,"date":"2022-06-14T07:00:01","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T06:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?p=24887"},"modified":"2023-03-18T19:40:07","modified_gmt":"2023-03-18T18:40:07","slug":"aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/","title":{"rendered":"AURENDER N20 Music Server – The Absolute Sound review"},"content":{"rendered":"

W<\/span>ithin the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence<\/span>\u00a0of a market for a new type of high-end audio component: the digital-music server\/streamer. Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering.<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Summing up,<\/strong> I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly,\u00a0best-sounding<\/i>\u00a0audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.<\/span><\/p>\n

… Stephen Scharf, May 20th, 2022<\/p>\n

Link to product: Aurender N20<\/a>
\nLink to review: The Absolute Sound<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Within the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence\u00a0of a market for a new type of…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24888,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[175,178,183],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nAURENDER N20 Music Server - The Absolute Sound review - INTEK HI-FI<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Up to 84% in savings when you subscribe to The Absolute SoundSUBSCRIBELogo ReviewsReviews News Shows Blog Buyer\u2019s Guides Magazine Music Brands SUBSCRIBEhttps:\/\/www.theabsolutesound.com\/articles\/aurender-n20-music-server Aurender N20 Music ServerREVIEW by Stephen Scharf May 20th, 2022A A AAurender N20 Music ServerWithin the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence of a market for a new type of high-end audio component: the digital-music server\/streamer. Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering. Description, Functions, FeaturesThe Aurender N20 is an \u201call-in-one\u201d digital-music server\/streamer that integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port to connect to your router in a single component that can be placed in your main audio rack. Contrast the N20 to my streaming setup, where I have servers and fiber-media converters in one room, connected by a long run of optical fiber to an Uptone EtherREGEN and SOtM network bridge in my listening room. Each of these devices requires its own linear power supply, Shunyata NR power cords, and Ethernet cables. While the setup works, it\u2019s, well, complicated. Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM\/3 (which has virtually no support for on-board music-file storage), the N20 comes with two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow you to add the amount of on-board music storage that best meets your needs and budget. For example, if you listen exclusively to music from an online streaming service, there will be no need to add internal storage. If your requirements change, on-board music-file storage can be added by installing a 2.5\u2033 hard drive in one or both of the N20\u2019s hard-drive bays. At full capacity, the N20 can provide up to 16TB of storage (with SSD drives). Another key N20 feature is its all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL), utilizing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in conjunction with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks for audio components\u2014orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than the ordinary crystal oscillators found in computers and \u201cgeneric\u201d consumer-grade networking devices. Due to the superior clock and oscillator, the N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, coaxial, and optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal to the outboard DAC, at intervals defined by the precision, on-board OCXO clock. The Aurender N20 also utilizes an Intel Quad-Core CPU to support streaming of digital file codecs, including native DSD512. All supported file types and formats are handled by this dedicated processor. Because many DACs only support DSD decoding via a USB interface, the N20 also supports DSD-to-PCM conversion on its SPDIF interface by use of an FPGA. This permits the sampling-frequency output to be selected between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz. Moreover, the gain is adjustable in 1\u20136dB steps, and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, and 50Hz settings. Additionally, the N20 supports the MQA first-unfold, allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz with an optional in-app purchase. It is also compatible with DACs that perform MQA rendering, thus providing full MQA decoding with those MQA-compatible DACs. The first unfold expands the 48kHz sample rate of the MQA file to 88.2kHz or 96kHz for conversion by your DAC at that higher frequency. This works with any DAC. For the full MQA experience, you\u2019ll need an MQA-compatible DAC that performs the second decoding step\u2014MQA rendering.The N20\u2019s SPDIF digital output employs transformer-isolated grounding that reduces the noise floor; the USB 2.0 output also benefits from Aurender\u2019s latest methodologies to reduce noise and jitter. A word-clock input allows for an external word clock to be connected, which could, depending on its quality, significantly increase SPDIF digital-output performance. The RJ45 Ethernet LAN port is also double-isolated with Ethernet isolation transformers, which reduce noise components from the network or router and lower the overall system noise floor for quieter and more accurate playback of audio signals. The N20 also has an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which can perform a safe shutdown in the event of an abrupt power outage, thereby preventing system and\/or disc corruption.Setup and UseSetting up the Aurender N20 is easy, fast, and effective: Take the unit out of its box, place it on your rack, connect power, networking, and signal cables, and power it up; flip to Page 2 of the short, printed, set-up guide that comes with the N20; use a bar-code app on your smartphone to take a screenshot of the 3-D bar code printed on that page, and the Aurender Conductor app will download to your phone; launch the Aurender Conductor app, and it will look for an Aurender on your network, and prompt you to connect to the specific model that it finds; hit the onscreen button, and\u2026that\u2019s it! You\u2019re up and running! If you have Tidal or Qobuz, you can log into your account in the Conductor app, and, presto, you\u2019re streaming content. It took me all of eight minutes from taking the N20 out of its box to streaming music to my DAC. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The Aurender N20 also provides functions, features, and flexibilities that make using it and accessing your digital music simple and easy. If you have a lot of ripped or downloaded music files, simply add a hard drive to one (or both) of the bays previously mentioned, connect your music library to the N20\u2019s USB port, and easily transfer your music. One of the other notable features about the Aurender N20 is its large, 8.8\u2033-wide LCD display. The display shows the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist in beautiful color. A nice touch is you can easily read it from across the room. Using the Aurender AppWhile many folks will use the Aurender Conductor app via a smartphone or tablet, because the new M1 Macs now support native iOS applications, I used my 2021 MacBook Pro laptop to run the iPad version of the Conductor app! This was cool as I invariably prefer using my laptop with its larger display to using a smartphone or a tablet. The larger screen on the iPad version of the Conductor app shows a set of panels that allow browsing of available ripped or streaming content on the right side of the screen. Icons at the top allow you to toggle between content on the Aurender itself or content from a streaming service. When the Aurender icon is selected (signifying that it will scan content on internal drives), there are two menu hierarchies: the top-row menu allows you to select Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Composer, Conductor, and Folder. Under this row is another list of choices which reflect the names of the folders on your internal storage (if applicable). There are filters to view recently added content, DSD, Hi-Res PCM, or \u201cstarred\u201d favorite content. There is also a Search field at the top right.When the streaming service icon (e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) is selected, there are two menu hierarchies. At the top is Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, and Search. Underneath that row that is New Release, Streaming Charts, Download Charts, Most Featured, By the Media, Editor Picks, Qobuzinissim, The Qobuz Ideal Discography, and Purchased. You can easily hide the right-side content panel by swiping right, showing more of the actual content being played on the left side of the app. At top is the Song Detail metadata with its respective content and track info. Below the Song Detail pane, are the Queue and Playlist Editor panels. The features of these two panels overlap quite a bit. The Queue panel lets you play a previously saved Playlist; Save, Edit, and Shuffle the content in the playlist; and turn Consume Mode on. The Playlist Editor lets you select a previously saved Playlist, as well as Save, Edit, and Play the current playlist. As a long-time Roon user, I found it easiest to use the Conductor app by picking an album in the right side of the display, either from the internal drive or Qobuz, and after selecting the small oval icon with three dots at the top right, simply pressing Replace Queue with the new album of choice in the dialog box that pops-up. This will remove the tracks from the previously played album in the Queue and replace them with the tracks from the just-selected album. There are some other choices in this menu that let you decide how you may want to play a given album or the tracks you\u2019ve selected, but I found just using Replace Queue to be the most \u201calbum-oriented\u201d and, for me, the most effective method. While the Conductor app isn\u2019t as intuitive as Roon\u2019s interface, it does allow you to add and \u201cmix \u2019n\u2019 match\u201d content from different sources, such as albums and\/or streaming playlists, to the tracks in the playback Queue. You can also easily create and save custom playlists, either from files on the drive or from streaming services, within the Aurender app. A particularly nice feature is if you click on the album cover and then touch on the album artwork, an icon with three lines at the lower right pops up that lets you overlay the album track list onto the album artwork. This is a nice feature if, like me, you tend to prefer to listen to an album in its entirety. Listening ImpressionsRight from the get-go, the Aurender N20 impressed me with its audio quality. Blessed with exceptional transparency, resolution, clarity, and focus, the music was presented with superb tonal accuracy, dynamic articulation, and instrumental and vocal body against a jet-black background devoid of digital hash, grit, or grain. The foundational work done by Aurender to mitigate all possible sources of grunge, phase noise, threshold jitter, etc. from servers, networks, and the component itself strips away those nuisance noise factors that can result in disengagement compared to a world-class analog source. Combine this very clean foundation with FPGA-controlled OCXO clocking, and you get an engaging, involving, natural, and organic presentation that pulls you fully into the musical experience and simply won\u2019t let go. I spent many a late night enjoying the Aurender, unable to tear myself away from the music. Have a listen to Gene Harris\u2019 beautiful piano playing on the Ray Brown Trio\u2019s wonderful Soular Energy [Analogue Productions 268], for example. His piano sounds so relaxed, so natural, effusive, and harmonious, that you just can\u2019t help getting sucked into \u201cCry Me a River.\u201d The \u201cvapor trail\u201d from the piano has outstanding timbral and temporal articulation as it decays gently into the depth and space of the studio. Brown\u2019s bass makes a beautifully textured, weighty, superbly defined counterpoint to Harris\u2019 piano. The two artists play off each other, fully resolved in their own spaces. Sublime. A standout quality of the N20 is its ability to present and portray tonal density\u2014the attribute that gives instruments and vocalists their gravitas. Whether it\u2019s the shimmering, almost dulcimer-like quality of Chris Jones\u2019 solo guitar on \u201cSet \u2019Em Up, Joe\u201d [Closer to the Music, Vol. 1, Stockfisch Records SFR357.2903.0] or the weight, body, and power of Oscar Peterson\u2019s piano and the tonal color and richness of Ben Webster\u2019s sax on Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [Verve 5214482], the N20\u2019s presentation is driven forward with powerful and refined sophistication in rhythm and timing. Staying seated in my listening chair was challenging because this wonderful recording just swings with the N20. I also spent some time listening to the N20 in Critical Listening Mode, where the main display and other ancillary functions are powered down to provide the best possible audio quality. In this mode, the N20\u2019s sonic attributes do not change in character or degree. What is improved, however, is soundstage resolution and refinement, imaging definition and placement, and the resolution of spatial and ambient cues. This was most noticeable on recordings made in real spaces, e.g., churches or symphony halls, rather than in the \u201cspaces\u201d created by a recording engineer in a studio session. Using Critical Listening Mode for J. S. Bach\u2019s Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor [Bach: Violin Concertos, Philips 420 700-2], played by the incomparable Arthur Grumiaux and Les Soloistes Romands, was a veritable delight. Grumiaux\u2019s impeccable tone, attack, and pacing, his exquisite phrasing and control of dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?) infused this wonderful recording with energy, joy, and exuberance. With Critical Listening Mode on, I heard spatial, imaging, and soundstage cues that I had never heard before. It is a tour de force performance, and it sounded gorgeous on the N20. Kenny Dorham\u2019s legendary 1956 hard-bop album, \u2019Round Midnight at the Caf\u00e9 Bohemia [Blue Note BLP 1524] was presented through the N20 with the wonderful intimacy and nuance that only come from live recordings made late at night in a jazz club, when the band is fully warmed up and really swinging. The stick and brushwork of Arthur Edgehill on cymbals was rendered with a fine, delicate, brassy sheen; Dorham\u2019s trumpet was warm, sweet, and inviting, never biting. The Aurender N20\u2019s fine rendering of space, atmosphere, and instrumental subtleties put me in the club with the audience. What a wonderful recording.Summing up, I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness. Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly, best-sounding audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.Specs & PricingDigital outputs: AES\/EBU, coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TosLink, USBCompatible formats: Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and sample rates: SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz; USB: 32bit\/384kHz; DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native DSD: Up to DSD512Control app: Aurender Conductor iPad and iPhone app, Android phone and tabletSSD caching drive\/DRAM: 1x 500GB, M.2 MVME\/DDR3 8GBDSD-to-PCM: Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDigital I\/O: 2x Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.0 data portsInternal UPS: Super Capacitor-based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster clock input: Word clock or master clock input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, input impedance 75\u03a9Integral storage: None (two trays for 2.5\u2033 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs, user installed)Dimensions: 16.9\u2033 x 4.4\u2033 x 14.0\u2033Weight: 29.8 lbs.Price: $12,000Associated EquipmentDigital sources: Aurender N20 server streamer, Mac Mini Roon Core Server, Sonore OpticalModule fiber-media converter, Uptone Audio EtherREGEN Ethernet switch, Uptone Audio LPS-1.2 linear power supply.D\/A Converter: Lampizator Baltic 3 and Holo Audio May KTE R2RAnalog source: Michell Gyro SE, SME V, Bob\u2019s Devices Cinemag step-up transformerPhonostage: E.A.R. 324Preamplifier: First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 SE MkIII-SI active preamp with Paramount Special Edition UpgradePower amplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART150SIntegrated Amplifier: Constellation InspirationLoudspeakers: Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2, Dynaudio Contour S3.4 with Esotar 2 tweeters, REL R-305 subwooferCables: Shunyata Research Sigma XC and NR V2 (Everest & amplifiers), Alpha NR V2 (preamp and phonostage), Shunyata Omega QR-s (DAC), V14D Digital power cables (for 100% digital components), Shunyata Omega and Sigma interconnects, Omega Ethernet cable, Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and Shunyata V2 VTX-Ag speaker cables, Shunyata DF-SS cable elevators.A\/C power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 and SR-Z1 wall outlet. Tags:AURENDERDIGITALMUSIC SERVERNETWORKMost PopularThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All TimeThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All Timeby TAS Staff Apr 01st, 2011Check out our selections for loudspeakers2021 Editors\u2019 Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $10,000 \u2013 $20,000by TAS Staff Mar 30th, 2021top_50_202050 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audioby TAS Staff Dec 14th, 2020rega_p6Rega P6 Turntable, RB330 Tonearm, Neo PSU, and Ania Moving-Coil Cartridgeby Wayne Garcia May 06th, 2021TopBACK TO TOPBy Stephen ScharfI\u2019ve worked as a molecular biologist for my entire professional career. As one of the inventors of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), I worked in human molecular genetics and developing molecular-diagnostic and DNA forensic testsMore articles from this editorCat IconREAD PREVIOUSPrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated AmplifierREAD NEXTPop Quiz (Everyone Wins): What Songs Give You Chills?Read Next From ReviewSEE ALLPiega Ace 30REVIEWPiega Ace 30Variety is the hallmark of a thriving ecosystem. High-end audio [\u2026]by Drew Kalbach May 31st, 2022M&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferREVIEWM&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferAllow me to set the scene: You\u2019re a young audiophile, [\u2026]by Neil Gader May 31st, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000REVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000Sutherland Engineering 20\/20 Mk2 $2200 (linear power supply option, $450) [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 24th, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpREVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpRogue Audio Cronus Magnum MKIII $3295 Rogue\u2019s 90Wpc Cronus Magnum [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 23rd, 2022Sign Up To Our NewsletterName*Your NameFirstEmailYour EmailConsent* I have read and agree to the terms and conditions*BrandsThe Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation.Martin Logan Paradigmhttps:\/\/images.theabsolutesound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logo-white.pngThe Absolute Sound is the world\u2019s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.SUBSCRIBEMAGAZINEAbout usShopAdvertiseBack IssuesCONNECTFacebookInstagramYoutubeContact via EmailJOIN OUR NEWSLETTEREmailEnter Your Email HereTerms and conditions Privacy Community GuidelinesCopyright \u00a9 2022 The Absolute Sound. All rights reserved. Aurender - The Future of SoundAudiophile Premium Audio Support News & Review Where To BuyN20 High Definition Caching Music Server \/ Streamer2 x Slot for 2.5inch HDD or SSD Drive (user installed)USB, AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC, Optical Outputs and Word Clock InputN20The N20 caching music server \/ streamer provides the fidelity, features and flexibility the digital audiophile will find attractive and meaningful. A significant advantage is that the N20 contains two empty storage bays. This allows you to customize storage to best meet your budget and intended use. For example, these days many music lovers listen exclusively to streaming content. Therefore, no internal storage is necessary (although it can be easily added at any time if desired). Have a modestly sized music collection? Install an inexpensive 2TB HDD. Own a massive music library? Opt-in for 2 SSDs or HDDs. Fully loaded, the N20 is capable of accommodating an incredible 16TB of solid-state storage!Within the Aurender range of models, the N20 truly represents the best cost \/ performance ratio in terms of audio performance, features and functionally. Many performance enhancing design techniques, circuit topologies and upgraded component parts have been employed to push its advancement of digital audio reproduction.An Intel Quad Core CPU is used to support the most demanding digital file codecs including Native DSD512 transmission. All file types and formats are handled by this processor with exceptional ease and aplomb. Our latest generation SPDIF digital output suite employs transformer isolated grounding for the lowest possible noise floor, and our USB Audio Class 2.0 output benefits from our latest jitter and noise reducing designs. A word clock input is included as well. This allows for an external word clock to be connected, pushing our reference-class SPDIF digital output performance even higher! And, a double-isolated Ethernet LAN port significantly reduces network \/ router noise, lowering the overall system noise floor for a clearer and more pristine audio signal.However, improvements are not limited only to the N20\u2019s exceptional audio performance. The new, bold 8.8\u201d full-color front panel display illustrates the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist using a large and vibrant readout. And, practically speaking, an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS) has the ability to perform safe shutdown under an abrupt power outage preventing system and\/or disc corruption.TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONFEATURESUltra-High-Quality SPDIF and AES\/EBU Digital Audio OutputsThe N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, and Optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation with some DACs due to the superior clock and oscillator. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal out to the DAC at intervals defined by the on-board precision OCXO clock. With a clock this precise, once heard, you\u2019ll want to use it.Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long-Term Jitter ReductionOCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today, and are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate, which can lead to jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable, high-grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a compartment and kept at a constant temperature to maintain an absolutely stable flow of information.Precision DSD-to-PCM Conversion by FPGAMany DACs support DSD decoding only on their USB inputs, but not on SPDIF. Additionally, some excellent DACs still in use are non-DSD compliant altogether. That\u2019s why the Aurender N20 (and W20SE and N10) all feature this extremely high quality method of DSD-to-PCM conversion on-the-fly by FPGA. The resulting sampling frequency output is user selectable between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz, gain is adjustable 1-6dB and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz and 50Hz settings.FPGA-Based All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop SystemAn All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop system (ADPLL) incorporating Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) with OCXO clocks precisely times digital audio data transmissions and minimizes jitter to below negligible levels. The results are sonically audible with better image focus, a wider, deeper, taller soundstage presentation and an uncanny analog-like organic quality.Dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 Output with Ultra-Low Noise Power CircuitryThe N20\u2019s dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 output is designed to deliver an exceptionally transparent audio signal free of noise and jitter, and it is shielded from outside electronic interference. The improved module-type design is chassis mounted for strength and durability.Dedicated Word Clock InputThe N20 offers support for an external word clock which can, in some cases, improve upon the SPDIF audio performance in terms of musical rhythm, pace, timing, and phase coherance. If the user wants to use a separate master clock and SPDIF interconnects, a music server with master clock input is needed as well as a DAC with master clock input. The external word clock can then be used to synchronize timing between both digital devices ensuring jitter-free and time-perfect data transmission. N20 can accept word clocks with the following frequencies: Master clock: 10MHz, 12.8MHz, Word clock: 44.1KHz and 48KHz in multiples from 1 to 512. N20 supports both word clock (dCS, DACs or similar) or Master Clock (MSB DACs or similar) inputs.Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)At the heart of any music server is, essentially, a computer. Like any desktop computer, it doesn\u2019t like when its electrical connection is abruptly terminated. In the case of an AC power outage or momentary \u201cbrownout\u201d, the N20 is protected by a clever super capacitor-based power supply which allows the unit to stay powered on long enough to automatically power down. This prevents the system and hard drives from being corrupted by the loss of AC power.User-Installable Hard Drive Storage with Solid-State Caching Drive for PlaybackThe N20 provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of the type and capacity of drive that can be fitted. Each of the two trays on the rear panel can be fitted with a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 5TB HDD or a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 8TB SSD. You can choose to install one or both to accommodate your current capacity and\/or future expansion of your digital files. If installed, these internal hard drives provide storage for your music library and an internal 500GB solid-state drive is used to cache music for playback. If a selected song or album is already cached to the solid-state drive, the storage drive remains idle. This minimizes the system\u2019s overhead resources in se, and wear and tear on the hard drive. Additionally, by caching songs to the solid-state drive for playback, electrical and acoustic noise resulting from spinning disks, moving heads and motors is completely eliminated.USB HDD and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) SupportThe most streamlined use case occurs when music is stored on the Aurender\u2019s internal storage. However, the Aurender platform is also capable of seamlessly integrating content stored on a NAS, external USB HDD or thumb drive. Two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel are used to import content or playback from the attached storage device. If importing content, Aurender\u2019s SmartCopy feature can be used for bulk transfer or to selectively copy specific content onto the internal hard drives.Upsampling and Critical Listening ModeN20 offers the user the ability to upsample any lower resolution content to a user determined sampling rate. Three selections are available to choose from: 44.1\/48kHz, 88.2\/96kHz and 176.4\/192kHz. Since results vary from server-to-DAC combinations, experimentation is in order to determine the sonic results. Upsampling effects only the system\u2019s SPDIF digital outputs, not USB. Critical Listening Mode is a feature that allows the user to defeat any background tasks and circuitry that are non-essential to playing music. By defeating the display illumination and disabling other background functions, system resources are reduced for the best possible sound quality.Aurender Conductor App Packed with Convenient Features for Full-Function ControlThe Aurender Conductor App turns the iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets into a versatile user interface for all Aurender music servers. All settings and functions of the Aurender server can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and Conductor comes with extensive features to make browsing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze. Two streaming services, Qobuz and Tidal (subscription required) are embedded within the Conductor App allowing easy access to millions of high-resolution albums. Content found on streaming services can be easily integrated into your main file library, making it easy to combine and compile content in one location.MQA Core Decoder (optional in-app purchase)Aurender\u2019s MQA Core Decoder upgrade enables MQA Core or first unfold allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz. This is beneficial if using a non-MQA DAC as Core Decoding will deliver some of the MQA benefit from MQA encoded content. Additionally, MQA Core Decoder will work with DACs that perform MQA rendering which is the second stage of MQA decoding. Together, they provides full MQA decoding.Remote Internet Technical SupportSending a Remote Support Request through the Aurender App allows engineers to quickly diagnose and correct problems over the Internet. This service can correct for file, software or firmware issues and is a service provided free of charge.PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONSSilver or Black finish16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kgN20-SilverN20-BlackN20 SPECIFICATIONSCompatible Formats Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and Sample Rates SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHzUSB: 32bit \/ 384kHz, DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native \u2013 Up to DSD512User Software Aurender Conductor App for iPad, iPhone, Android Phone and TabletsSSD Caching Drive\/DRAM 1 x 500GB, M.2 MVME \/ DDR3 8GBSPDIF Output Isolation Isolated by separate transformer core. Full-Linear power supplyDSD-to-PCM Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDedicated USB Audio Output Audio Class 2.0, Module-typeDigital Audio Outputs(1 each) AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TOS-LINK, USBDigital I\/O 1 2X Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 x USB 3.0 data ports\u200bAudio Clock Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) jitter reducing clockInternal UPS Super Capacitor based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster Clock Input Word Clock or Master Clock Input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, Input impedance 75\u03a9Content Storage None. Two trays for 2.5\u201d 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs. User installedPower Consumption \u200bPlay (27W), Peak (37W), Standby (3.1W)Dimensions 16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)Weight 29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kg Aurender HQ : OBIZ Tower 1612, 126, Beolmal-ro, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14057, South KoreaAurender America Inc : 20381 Lake Forest Drive, STE B-3 , Lake Forest, California 92630, USAAurender Europe SL.: Ka\u00f1ueta Bidea 20 D, 20018 San Sebastian, SpainCopyright \u00a9 AurenderAurender is the brand name of Aurender Inc.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"AURENDER N20 Music Server - The Absolute Sound review - INTEK HI-FI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Up to 84% in savings when you subscribe to The Absolute SoundSUBSCRIBELogo ReviewsReviews News Shows Blog Buyer\u2019s Guides Magazine Music Brands SUBSCRIBEhttps:\/\/www.theabsolutesound.com\/articles\/aurender-n20-music-server Aurender N20 Music ServerREVIEW by Stephen Scharf May 20th, 2022A A AAurender N20 Music ServerWithin the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence of a market for a new type of high-end audio component: the digital-music server\/streamer. Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering. Description, Functions, FeaturesThe Aurender N20 is an \u201call-in-one\u201d digital-music server\/streamer that integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port to connect to your router in a single component that can be placed in your main audio rack. Contrast the N20 to my streaming setup, where I have servers and fiber-media converters in one room, connected by a long run of optical fiber to an Uptone EtherREGEN and SOtM network bridge in my listening room. Each of these devices requires its own linear power supply, Shunyata NR power cords, and Ethernet cables. While the setup works, it\u2019s, well, complicated. Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM\/3 (which has virtually no support for on-board music-file storage), the N20 comes with two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow you to add the amount of on-board music storage that best meets your needs and budget. For example, if you listen exclusively to music from an online streaming service, there will be no need to add internal storage. If your requirements change, on-board music-file storage can be added by installing a 2.5\u2033 hard drive in one or both of the N20\u2019s hard-drive bays. At full capacity, the N20 can provide up to 16TB of storage (with SSD drives). Another key N20 feature is its all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL), utilizing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in conjunction with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks for audio components\u2014orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than the ordinary crystal oscillators found in computers and \u201cgeneric\u201d consumer-grade networking devices. Due to the superior clock and oscillator, the N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, coaxial, and optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal to the outboard DAC, at intervals defined by the precision, on-board OCXO clock. The Aurender N20 also utilizes an Intel Quad-Core CPU to support streaming of digital file codecs, including native DSD512. All supported file types and formats are handled by this dedicated processor. Because many DACs only support DSD decoding via a USB interface, the N20 also supports DSD-to-PCM conversion on its SPDIF interface by use of an FPGA. This permits the sampling-frequency output to be selected between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz. Moreover, the gain is adjustable in 1\u20136dB steps, and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, and 50Hz settings. Additionally, the N20 supports the MQA first-unfold, allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz with an optional in-app purchase. It is also compatible with DACs that perform MQA rendering, thus providing full MQA decoding with those MQA-compatible DACs. The first unfold expands the 48kHz sample rate of the MQA file to 88.2kHz or 96kHz for conversion by your DAC at that higher frequency. This works with any DAC. For the full MQA experience, you\u2019ll need an MQA-compatible DAC that performs the second decoding step\u2014MQA rendering.The N20\u2019s SPDIF digital output employs transformer-isolated grounding that reduces the noise floor; the USB 2.0 output also benefits from Aurender\u2019s latest methodologies to reduce noise and jitter. A word-clock input allows for an external word clock to be connected, which could, depending on its quality, significantly increase SPDIF digital-output performance. The RJ45 Ethernet LAN port is also double-isolated with Ethernet isolation transformers, which reduce noise components from the network or router and lower the overall system noise floor for quieter and more accurate playback of audio signals. The N20 also has an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which can perform a safe shutdown in the event of an abrupt power outage, thereby preventing system and\/or disc corruption.Setup and UseSetting up the Aurender N20 is easy, fast, and effective: Take the unit out of its box, place it on your rack, connect power, networking, and signal cables, and power it up; flip to Page 2 of the short, printed, set-up guide that comes with the N20; use a bar-code app on your smartphone to take a screenshot of the 3-D bar code printed on that page, and the Aurender Conductor app will download to your phone; launch the Aurender Conductor app, and it will look for an Aurender on your network, and prompt you to connect to the specific model that it finds; hit the onscreen button, and\u2026that\u2019s it! You\u2019re up and running! If you have Tidal or Qobuz, you can log into your account in the Conductor app, and, presto, you\u2019re streaming content. It took me all of eight minutes from taking the N20 out of its box to streaming music to my DAC. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The Aurender N20 also provides functions, features, and flexibilities that make using it and accessing your digital music simple and easy. If you have a lot of ripped or downloaded music files, simply add a hard drive to one (or both) of the bays previously mentioned, connect your music library to the N20\u2019s USB port, and easily transfer your music. One of the other notable features about the Aurender N20 is its large, 8.8\u2033-wide LCD display. The display shows the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist in beautiful color. A nice touch is you can easily read it from across the room. Using the Aurender AppWhile many folks will use the Aurender Conductor app via a smartphone or tablet, because the new M1 Macs now support native iOS applications, I used my 2021 MacBook Pro laptop to run the iPad version of the Conductor app! This was cool as I invariably prefer using my laptop with its larger display to using a smartphone or a tablet. The larger screen on the iPad version of the Conductor app shows a set of panels that allow browsing of available ripped or streaming content on the right side of the screen. Icons at the top allow you to toggle between content on the Aurender itself or content from a streaming service. When the Aurender icon is selected (signifying that it will scan content on internal drives), there are two menu hierarchies: the top-row menu allows you to select Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Composer, Conductor, and Folder. Under this row is another list of choices which reflect the names of the folders on your internal storage (if applicable). There are filters to view recently added content, DSD, Hi-Res PCM, or \u201cstarred\u201d favorite content. There is also a Search field at the top right.When the streaming service icon (e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) is selected, there are two menu hierarchies. At the top is Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, and Search. Underneath that row that is New Release, Streaming Charts, Download Charts, Most Featured, By the Media, Editor Picks, Qobuzinissim, The Qobuz Ideal Discography, and Purchased. You can easily hide the right-side content panel by swiping right, showing more of the actual content being played on the left side of the app. At top is the Song Detail metadata with its respective content and track info. Below the Song Detail pane, are the Queue and Playlist Editor panels. The features of these two panels overlap quite a bit. The Queue panel lets you play a previously saved Playlist; Save, Edit, and Shuffle the content in the playlist; and turn Consume Mode on. The Playlist Editor lets you select a previously saved Playlist, as well as Save, Edit, and Play the current playlist. As a long-time Roon user, I found it easiest to use the Conductor app by picking an album in the right side of the display, either from the internal drive or Qobuz, and after selecting the small oval icon with three dots at the top right, simply pressing Replace Queue with the new album of choice in the dialog box that pops-up. This will remove the tracks from the previously played album in the Queue and replace them with the tracks from the just-selected album. There are some other choices in this menu that let you decide how you may want to play a given album or the tracks you\u2019ve selected, but I found just using Replace Queue to be the most \u201calbum-oriented\u201d and, for me, the most effective method. While the Conductor app isn\u2019t as intuitive as Roon\u2019s interface, it does allow you to add and \u201cmix \u2019n\u2019 match\u201d content from different sources, such as albums and\/or streaming playlists, to the tracks in the playback Queue. You can also easily create and save custom playlists, either from files on the drive or from streaming services, within the Aurender app. A particularly nice feature is if you click on the album cover and then touch on the album artwork, an icon with three lines at the lower right pops up that lets you overlay the album track list onto the album artwork. This is a nice feature if, like me, you tend to prefer to listen to an album in its entirety. Listening ImpressionsRight from the get-go, the Aurender N20 impressed me with its audio quality. Blessed with exceptional transparency, resolution, clarity, and focus, the music was presented with superb tonal accuracy, dynamic articulation, and instrumental and vocal body against a jet-black background devoid of digital hash, grit, or grain. The foundational work done by Aurender to mitigate all possible sources of grunge, phase noise, threshold jitter, etc. from servers, networks, and the component itself strips away those nuisance noise factors that can result in disengagement compared to a world-class analog source. Combine this very clean foundation with FPGA-controlled OCXO clocking, and you get an engaging, involving, natural, and organic presentation that pulls you fully into the musical experience and simply won\u2019t let go. I spent many a late night enjoying the Aurender, unable to tear myself away from the music. Have a listen to Gene Harris\u2019 beautiful piano playing on the Ray Brown Trio\u2019s wonderful Soular Energy [Analogue Productions 268], for example. His piano sounds so relaxed, so natural, effusive, and harmonious, that you just can\u2019t help getting sucked into \u201cCry Me a River.\u201d The \u201cvapor trail\u201d from the piano has outstanding timbral and temporal articulation as it decays gently into the depth and space of the studio. Brown\u2019s bass makes a beautifully textured, weighty, superbly defined counterpoint to Harris\u2019 piano. The two artists play off each other, fully resolved in their own spaces. Sublime. A standout quality of the N20 is its ability to present and portray tonal density\u2014the attribute that gives instruments and vocalists their gravitas. Whether it\u2019s the shimmering, almost dulcimer-like quality of Chris Jones\u2019 solo guitar on \u201cSet \u2019Em Up, Joe\u201d [Closer to the Music, Vol. 1, Stockfisch Records SFR357.2903.0] or the weight, body, and power of Oscar Peterson\u2019s piano and the tonal color and richness of Ben Webster\u2019s sax on Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [Verve 5214482], the N20\u2019s presentation is driven forward with powerful and refined sophistication in rhythm and timing. Staying seated in my listening chair was challenging because this wonderful recording just swings with the N20. I also spent some time listening to the N20 in Critical Listening Mode, where the main display and other ancillary functions are powered down to provide the best possible audio quality. In this mode, the N20\u2019s sonic attributes do not change in character or degree. What is improved, however, is soundstage resolution and refinement, imaging definition and placement, and the resolution of spatial and ambient cues. This was most noticeable on recordings made in real spaces, e.g., churches or symphony halls, rather than in the \u201cspaces\u201d created by a recording engineer in a studio session. Using Critical Listening Mode for J. S. Bach\u2019s Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor [Bach: Violin Concertos, Philips 420 700-2], played by the incomparable Arthur Grumiaux and Les Soloistes Romands, was a veritable delight. Grumiaux\u2019s impeccable tone, attack, and pacing, his exquisite phrasing and control of dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?) infused this wonderful recording with energy, joy, and exuberance. With Critical Listening Mode on, I heard spatial, imaging, and soundstage cues that I had never heard before. It is a tour de force performance, and it sounded gorgeous on the N20. Kenny Dorham\u2019s legendary 1956 hard-bop album, \u2019Round Midnight at the Caf\u00e9 Bohemia [Blue Note BLP 1524] was presented through the N20 with the wonderful intimacy and nuance that only come from live recordings made late at night in a jazz club, when the band is fully warmed up and really swinging. The stick and brushwork of Arthur Edgehill on cymbals was rendered with a fine, delicate, brassy sheen; Dorham\u2019s trumpet was warm, sweet, and inviting, never biting. The Aurender N20\u2019s fine rendering of space, atmosphere, and instrumental subtleties put me in the club with the audience. What a wonderful recording.Summing up, I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness. Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly, best-sounding audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.Specs & PricingDigital outputs: AES\/EBU, coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TosLink, USBCompatible formats: Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and sample rates: SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz; USB: 32bit\/384kHz; DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native DSD: Up to DSD512Control app: Aurender Conductor iPad and iPhone app, Android phone and tabletSSD caching drive\/DRAM: 1x 500GB, M.2 MVME\/DDR3 8GBDSD-to-PCM: Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDigital I\/O: 2x Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.0 data portsInternal UPS: Super Capacitor-based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster clock input: Word clock or master clock input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, input impedance 75\u03a9Integral storage: None (two trays for 2.5\u2033 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs, user installed)Dimensions: 16.9\u2033 x 4.4\u2033 x 14.0\u2033Weight: 29.8 lbs.Price: $12,000Associated EquipmentDigital sources: Aurender N20 server streamer, Mac Mini Roon Core Server, Sonore OpticalModule fiber-media converter, Uptone Audio EtherREGEN Ethernet switch, Uptone Audio LPS-1.2 linear power supply.D\/A Converter: Lampizator Baltic 3 and Holo Audio May KTE R2RAnalog source: Michell Gyro SE, SME V, Bob\u2019s Devices Cinemag step-up transformerPhonostage: E.A.R. 324Preamplifier: First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 SE MkIII-SI active preamp with Paramount Special Edition UpgradePower amplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART150SIntegrated Amplifier: Constellation InspirationLoudspeakers: Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2, Dynaudio Contour S3.4 with Esotar 2 tweeters, REL R-305 subwooferCables: Shunyata Research Sigma XC and NR V2 (Everest & amplifiers), Alpha NR V2 (preamp and phonostage), Shunyata Omega QR-s (DAC), V14D Digital power cables (for 100% digital components), Shunyata Omega and Sigma interconnects, Omega Ethernet cable, Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and Shunyata V2 VTX-Ag speaker cables, Shunyata DF-SS cable elevators.A\/C power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 and SR-Z1 wall outlet. Tags:AURENDERDIGITALMUSIC SERVERNETWORKMost PopularThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All TimeThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All Timeby TAS Staff Apr 01st, 2011Check out our selections for loudspeakers2021 Editors\u2019 Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $10,000 \u2013 $20,000by TAS Staff Mar 30th, 2021top_50_202050 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audioby TAS Staff Dec 14th, 2020rega_p6Rega P6 Turntable, RB330 Tonearm, Neo PSU, and Ania Moving-Coil Cartridgeby Wayne Garcia May 06th, 2021TopBACK TO TOPBy Stephen ScharfI\u2019ve worked as a molecular biologist for my entire professional career. As one of the inventors of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), I worked in human molecular genetics and developing molecular-diagnostic and DNA forensic testsMore articles from this editorCat IconREAD PREVIOUSPrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated AmplifierREAD NEXTPop Quiz (Everyone Wins): What Songs Give You Chills?Read Next From ReviewSEE ALLPiega Ace 30REVIEWPiega Ace 30Variety is the hallmark of a thriving ecosystem. High-end audio [\u2026]by Drew Kalbach May 31st, 2022M&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferREVIEWM&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferAllow me to set the scene: You\u2019re a young audiophile, [\u2026]by Neil Gader May 31st, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000REVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000Sutherland Engineering 20\/20 Mk2 $2200 (linear power supply option, $450) [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 24th, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpREVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpRogue Audio Cronus Magnum MKIII $3295 Rogue\u2019s 90Wpc Cronus Magnum [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 23rd, 2022Sign Up To Our NewsletterName*Your NameFirstEmailYour EmailConsent* I have read and agree to the terms and conditions*BrandsThe Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation.Martin Logan Paradigmhttps:\/\/images.theabsolutesound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logo-white.pngThe Absolute Sound is the world\u2019s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.SUBSCRIBEMAGAZINEAbout usShopAdvertiseBack IssuesCONNECTFacebookInstagramYoutubeContact via EmailJOIN OUR NEWSLETTEREmailEnter Your Email HereTerms and conditions Privacy Community GuidelinesCopyright \u00a9 2022 The Absolute Sound. All rights reserved. Aurender - The Future of SoundAudiophile Premium Audio Support News & Review Where To BuyN20 High Definition Caching Music Server \/ Streamer2 x Slot for 2.5inch HDD or SSD Drive (user installed)USB, AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC, Optical Outputs and Word Clock InputN20The N20 caching music server \/ streamer provides the fidelity, features and flexibility the digital audiophile will find attractive and meaningful. A significant advantage is that the N20 contains two empty storage bays. This allows you to customize storage to best meet your budget and intended use. For example, these days many music lovers listen exclusively to streaming content. Therefore, no internal storage is necessary (although it can be easily added at any time if desired). Have a modestly sized music collection? Install an inexpensive 2TB HDD. Own a massive music library? Opt-in for 2 SSDs or HDDs. Fully loaded, the N20 is capable of accommodating an incredible 16TB of solid-state storage!Within the Aurender range of models, the N20 truly represents the best cost \/ performance ratio in terms of audio performance, features and functionally. Many performance enhancing design techniques, circuit topologies and upgraded component parts have been employed to push its advancement of digital audio reproduction.An Intel Quad Core CPU is used to support the most demanding digital file codecs including Native DSD512 transmission. All file types and formats are handled by this processor with exceptional ease and aplomb. Our latest generation SPDIF digital output suite employs transformer isolated grounding for the lowest possible noise floor, and our USB Audio Class 2.0 output benefits from our latest jitter and noise reducing designs. A word clock input is included as well. This allows for an external word clock to be connected, pushing our reference-class SPDIF digital output performance even higher! And, a double-isolated Ethernet LAN port significantly reduces network \/ router noise, lowering the overall system noise floor for a clearer and more pristine audio signal.However, improvements are not limited only to the N20\u2019s exceptional audio performance. The new, bold 8.8\u201d full-color front panel display illustrates the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist using a large and vibrant readout. And, practically speaking, an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS) has the ability to perform safe shutdown under an abrupt power outage preventing system and\/or disc corruption.TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONFEATURESUltra-High-Quality SPDIF and AES\/EBU Digital Audio OutputsThe N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, and Optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation with some DACs due to the superior clock and oscillator. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal out to the DAC at intervals defined by the on-board precision OCXO clock. With a clock this precise, once heard, you\u2019ll want to use it.Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long-Term Jitter ReductionOCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today, and are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate, which can lead to jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable, high-grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a compartment and kept at a constant temperature to maintain an absolutely stable flow of information.Precision DSD-to-PCM Conversion by FPGAMany DACs support DSD decoding only on their USB inputs, but not on SPDIF. Additionally, some excellent DACs still in use are non-DSD compliant altogether. That\u2019s why the Aurender N20 (and W20SE and N10) all feature this extremely high quality method of DSD-to-PCM conversion on-the-fly by FPGA. The resulting sampling frequency output is user selectable between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz, gain is adjustable 1-6dB and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz and 50Hz settings.FPGA-Based All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop SystemAn All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop system (ADPLL) incorporating Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) with OCXO clocks precisely times digital audio data transmissions and minimizes jitter to below negligible levels. The results are sonically audible with better image focus, a wider, deeper, taller soundstage presentation and an uncanny analog-like organic quality.Dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 Output with Ultra-Low Noise Power CircuitryThe N20\u2019s dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 output is designed to deliver an exceptionally transparent audio signal free of noise and jitter, and it is shielded from outside electronic interference. The improved module-type design is chassis mounted for strength and durability.Dedicated Word Clock InputThe N20 offers support for an external word clock which can, in some cases, improve upon the SPDIF audio performance in terms of musical rhythm, pace, timing, and phase coherance. If the user wants to use a separate master clock and SPDIF interconnects, a music server with master clock input is needed as well as a DAC with master clock input. The external word clock can then be used to synchronize timing between both digital devices ensuring jitter-free and time-perfect data transmission. N20 can accept word clocks with the following frequencies: Master clock: 10MHz, 12.8MHz, Word clock: 44.1KHz and 48KHz in multiples from 1 to 512. N20 supports both word clock (dCS, DACs or similar) or Master Clock (MSB DACs or similar) inputs.Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)At the heart of any music server is, essentially, a computer. Like any desktop computer, it doesn\u2019t like when its electrical connection is abruptly terminated. In the case of an AC power outage or momentary \u201cbrownout\u201d, the N20 is protected by a clever super capacitor-based power supply which allows the unit to stay powered on long enough to automatically power down. This prevents the system and hard drives from being corrupted by the loss of AC power.User-Installable Hard Drive Storage with Solid-State Caching Drive for PlaybackThe N20 provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of the type and capacity of drive that can be fitted. Each of the two trays on the rear panel can be fitted with a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 5TB HDD or a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 8TB SSD. You can choose to install one or both to accommodate your current capacity and\/or future expansion of your digital files. If installed, these internal hard drives provide storage for your music library and an internal 500GB solid-state drive is used to cache music for playback. If a selected song or album is already cached to the solid-state drive, the storage drive remains idle. This minimizes the system\u2019s overhead resources in se, and wear and tear on the hard drive. Additionally, by caching songs to the solid-state drive for playback, electrical and acoustic noise resulting from spinning disks, moving heads and motors is completely eliminated.USB HDD and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) SupportThe most streamlined use case occurs when music is stored on the Aurender\u2019s internal storage. However, the Aurender platform is also capable of seamlessly integrating content stored on a NAS, external USB HDD or thumb drive. Two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel are used to import content or playback from the attached storage device. If importing content, Aurender\u2019s SmartCopy feature can be used for bulk transfer or to selectively copy specific content onto the internal hard drives.Upsampling and Critical Listening ModeN20 offers the user the ability to upsample any lower resolution content to a user determined sampling rate. Three selections are available to choose from: 44.1\/48kHz, 88.2\/96kHz and 176.4\/192kHz. Since results vary from server-to-DAC combinations, experimentation is in order to determine the sonic results. Upsampling effects only the system\u2019s SPDIF digital outputs, not USB. Critical Listening Mode is a feature that allows the user to defeat any background tasks and circuitry that are non-essential to playing music. By defeating the display illumination and disabling other background functions, system resources are reduced for the best possible sound quality.Aurender Conductor App Packed with Convenient Features for Full-Function ControlThe Aurender Conductor App turns the iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets into a versatile user interface for all Aurender music servers. All settings and functions of the Aurender server can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and Conductor comes with extensive features to make browsing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze. Two streaming services, Qobuz and Tidal (subscription required) are embedded within the Conductor App allowing easy access to millions of high-resolution albums. Content found on streaming services can be easily integrated into your main file library, making it easy to combine and compile content in one location.MQA Core Decoder (optional in-app purchase)Aurender\u2019s MQA Core Decoder upgrade enables MQA Core or first unfold allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz. This is beneficial if using a non-MQA DAC as Core Decoding will deliver some of the MQA benefit from MQA encoded content. Additionally, MQA Core Decoder will work with DACs that perform MQA rendering which is the second stage of MQA decoding. Together, they provides full MQA decoding.Remote Internet Technical SupportSending a Remote Support Request through the Aurender App allows engineers to quickly diagnose and correct problems over the Internet. This service can correct for file, software or firmware issues and is a service provided free of charge.PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONSSilver or Black finish16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kgN20-SilverN20-BlackN20 SPECIFICATIONSCompatible Formats Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and Sample Rates SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHzUSB: 32bit \/ 384kHz, DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native \u2013 Up to DSD512User Software Aurender Conductor App for iPad, iPhone, Android Phone and TabletsSSD Caching Drive\/DRAM 1 x 500GB, M.2 MVME \/ DDR3 8GBSPDIF Output Isolation Isolated by separate transformer core. Full-Linear power supplyDSD-to-PCM Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDedicated USB Audio Output Audio Class 2.0, Module-typeDigital Audio Outputs(1 each) AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TOS-LINK, USBDigital I\/O 1 2X Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 x USB 3.0 data ports\u200bAudio Clock Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) jitter reducing clockInternal UPS Super Capacitor based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster Clock Input Word Clock or Master Clock Input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, Input impedance 75\u03a9Content Storage None. Two trays for 2.5\u201d 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs. User installedPower Consumption \u200bPlay (27W), Peak (37W), Standby (3.1W)Dimensions 16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)Weight 29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kg Aurender HQ : OBIZ Tower 1612, 126, Beolmal-ro, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14057, South KoreaAurender America Inc : 20381 Lake Forest Drive, STE B-3 , Lake Forest, California 92630, USAAurender Europe SL.: Ka\u00f1ueta Bidea 20 D, 20018 San Sebastian, SpainCopyright \u00a9 AurenderAurender is the brand name of Aurender Inc.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering. Description, Functions, FeaturesThe Aurender N20 is an \\u201call-in-one\\u201d digital-music server\/streamer that integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port to connect to your router in a single component that can be placed in your main audio rack. Contrast the N20 to my streaming setup, where I have servers and fiber-media converters in one room, connected by a long run of optical fiber to an Uptone EtherREGEN and SOtM network bridge in my listening room. Each of these devices requires its own linear power supply, Shunyata NR power cords, and Ethernet cables. While the setup works, it\\u2019s, well, complicated. Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM\/3 (which has virtually no support for on-board music-file storage), the N20 comes with two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow you to add the amount of on-board music storage that best meets your needs and budget. For example, if you listen exclusively to music from an online streaming service, there will be no need to add internal storage. If your requirements change, on-board music-file storage can be added by installing a 2.5\\u2033 hard drive in one or both of the N20\\u2019s hard-drive bays. At full capacity, the N20 can provide up to 16TB of storage (with SSD drives). Another key N20 feature is its all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL), utilizing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in conjunction with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks for audio components\\u2014orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than the ordinary crystal oscillators found in computers and \\u201cgeneric\\u201d consumer-grade networking devices. Due to the superior clock and oscillator, the N20\\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, coaxial, and optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal to the outboard DAC, at intervals defined by the precision, on-board OCXO clock. The Aurender N20 also utilizes an Intel Quad-Core CPU to support streaming of digital file codecs, including native DSD512. All supported file types and formats are handled by this dedicated processor. Because many DACs only support DSD decoding via a USB interface, the N20 also supports DSD-to-PCM conversion on its SPDIF interface by use of an FPGA. This permits the sampling-frequency output to be selected between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz. Moreover, the gain is adjustable in 1\\u20136dB steps, and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, and 50Hz settings. Additionally, the N20 supports the MQA first-unfold, allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz with an optional in-app purchase. It is also compatible with DACs that perform MQA rendering, thus providing full MQA decoding with those MQA-compatible DACs. The first unfold expands the 48kHz sample rate of the MQA file to 88.2kHz or 96kHz for conversion by your DAC at that higher frequency. This works with any DAC. For the full MQA experience, you\\u2019ll need an MQA-compatible DAC that performs the second decoding step\\u2014MQA rendering.The N20\\u2019s SPDIF digital output employs transformer-isolated grounding that reduces the noise floor; the USB 2.0 output also benefits from Aurender\\u2019s latest methodologies to reduce noise and jitter. A word-clock input allows for an external word clock to be connected, which could, depending on its quality, significantly increase SPDIF digital-output performance. The RJ45 Ethernet LAN port is also double-isolated with Ethernet isolation transformers, which reduce noise components from the network or router and lower the overall system noise floor for quieter and more accurate playback of audio signals. The N20 also has an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which can perform a safe shutdown in the event of an abrupt power outage, thereby preventing system and\/or disc corruption.Setup and UseSetting up the Aurender N20 is easy, fast, and effective: Take the unit out of its box, place it on your rack, connect power, networking, and signal cables, and power it up; flip to Page 2 of the short, printed, set-up guide that comes with the N20; use a bar-code app on your smartphone to take a screenshot of the 3-D bar code printed on that page, and the Aurender Conductor app will download to your phone; launch the Aurender Conductor app, and it will look for an Aurender on your network, and prompt you to connect to the specific model that it finds; hit the onscreen button, and\\u2026that\\u2019s it! You\\u2019re up and running! If you have Tidal or Qobuz, you can log into your account in the Conductor app, and, presto, you\\u2019re streaming content. It took me all of eight minutes from taking the N20 out of its box to streaming music to my DAC. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The Aurender N20 also provides functions, features, and flexibilities that make using it and accessing your digital music simple and easy. If you have a lot of ripped or downloaded music files, simply add a hard drive to one (or both) of the bays previously mentioned, connect your music library to the N20\\u2019s USB port, and easily transfer your music. One of the other notable features about the Aurender N20 is its large, 8.8\\u2033-wide LCD display. The display shows the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist in beautiful color. A nice touch is you can easily read it from across the room. Using the Aurender AppWhile many folks will use the Aurender Conductor app via a smartphone or tablet, because the new M1 Macs now support native iOS applications, I used my 2021 MacBook Pro laptop to run the iPad version of the Conductor app! This was cool as I invariably prefer using my laptop with its larger display to using a smartphone or a tablet. The larger screen on the iPad version of the Conductor app shows a set of panels that allow browsing of available ripped or streaming content on the right side of the screen. Icons at the top allow you to toggle between content on the Aurender itself or content from a streaming service. When the Aurender icon is selected (signifying that it will scan content on internal drives), there are two menu hierarchies: the top-row menu allows you to select Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Composer, Conductor, and Folder. Under this row is another list of choices which reflect the names of the folders on your internal storage (if applicable). There are filters to view recently added content, DSD, Hi-Res PCM, or \\u201cstarred\\u201d favorite content. There is also a Search field at the top right.When the streaming service icon (e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) is selected, there are two menu hierarchies. At the top is Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, and Search. Underneath that row that is New Release, Streaming Charts, Download Charts, Most Featured, By the Media, Editor Picks, Qobuzinissim, The Qobuz Ideal Discography, and Purchased. You can easily hide the right-side content panel by swiping right, showing more of the actual content being played on the left side of the app. At top is the Song Detail metadata with its respective content and track info. Below the Song Detail pane, are the Queue and Playlist Editor panels. The features of these two panels overlap quite a bit. The Queue panel lets you play a previously saved Playlist; Save, Edit, and Shuffle the content in the playlist; and turn Consume Mode on. The Playlist Editor lets you select a previously saved Playlist, as well as Save, Edit, and Play the current playlist. As a long-time Roon user, I found it easiest to use the Conductor app by picking an album in the right side of the display, either from the internal drive or Qobuz, and after selecting the small oval icon with three dots at the top right, simply pressing Replace Queue with the new album of choice in the dialog box that pops-up. This will remove the tracks from the previously played album in the Queue and replace them with the tracks from the just-selected album. There are some other choices in this menu that let you decide how you may want to play a given album or the tracks you\\u2019ve selected, but I found just using Replace Queue to be the most \\u201calbum-oriented\\u201d and, for me, the most effective method. While the Conductor app isn\\u2019t as intuitive as Roon\\u2019s interface, it does allow you to add and \\u201cmix \\u2019n\\u2019 match\\u201d content from different sources, such as albums and\/or streaming playlists, to the tracks in the playback Queue. You can also easily create and save custom playlists, either from files on the drive or from streaming services, within the Aurender app. A particularly nice feature is if you click on the album cover and then touch on the album artwork, an icon with three lines at the lower right pops up that lets you overlay the album track list onto the album artwork. This is a nice feature if, like me, you tend to prefer to listen to an album in its entirety. Listening ImpressionsRight from the get-go, the Aurender N20 impressed me with its audio quality. Blessed with exceptional transparency, resolution, clarity, and focus, the music was presented with superb tonal accuracy, dynamic articulation, and instrumental and vocal body against a jet-black background devoid of digital hash, grit, or grain. The foundational work done by Aurender to mitigate all possible sources of grunge, phase noise, threshold jitter, etc. from servers, networks, and the component itself strips away those nuisance noise factors that can result in disengagement compared to a world-class analog source. Combine this very clean foundation with FPGA-controlled OCXO clocking, and you get an engaging, involving, natural, and organic presentation that pulls you fully into the musical experience and simply won\\u2019t let go. I spent many a late night enjoying the Aurender, unable to tear myself away from the music. Have a listen to Gene Harris\\u2019 beautiful piano playing on the Ray Brown Trio\\u2019s wonderful Soular Energy [Analogue Productions 268], for example. His piano sounds so relaxed, so natural, effusive, and harmonious, that you just can\\u2019t help getting sucked into \\u201cCry Me a River.\\u201d The \\u201cvapor trail\\u201d from the piano has outstanding timbral and temporal articulation as it decays gently into the depth and space of the studio. Brown\\u2019s bass makes a beautifully textured, weighty, superbly defined counterpoint to Harris\\u2019 piano. The two artists play off each other, fully resolved in their own spaces. Sublime. A standout quality of the N20 is its ability to present and portray tonal density\\u2014the attribute that gives instruments and vocalists their gravitas. Whether it\\u2019s the shimmering, almost dulcimer-like quality of Chris Jones\\u2019 solo guitar on \\u201cSet \\u2019Em Up, Joe\\u201d [Closer to the Music, Vol. 1, Stockfisch Records SFR357.2903.0] or the weight, body, and power of Oscar Peterson\\u2019s piano and the tonal color and richness of Ben Webster\\u2019s sax on Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [Verve 5214482], the N20\\u2019s presentation is driven forward with powerful and refined sophistication in rhythm and timing. Staying seated in my listening chair was challenging because this wonderful recording just swings with the N20. I also spent some time listening to the N20 in Critical Listening Mode, where the main display and other ancillary functions are powered down to provide the best possible audio quality. In this mode, the N20\\u2019s sonic attributes do not change in character or degree. What is improved, however, is soundstage resolution and refinement, imaging definition and placement, and the resolution of spatial and ambient cues. This was most noticeable on recordings made in real spaces, e.g., churches or symphony halls, rather than in the \\u201cspaces\\u201d created by a recording engineer in a studio session. Using Critical Listening Mode for J. S. Bach\\u2019s Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor [Bach: Violin Concertos, Philips 420 700-2], played by the incomparable Arthur Grumiaux and Les Soloistes Romands, was a veritable delight. Grumiaux\\u2019s impeccable tone, attack, and pacing, his exquisite phrasing and control of dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?) infused this wonderful recording with energy, joy, and exuberance. With Critical Listening Mode on, I heard spatial, imaging, and soundstage cues that I had never heard before. It is a tour de force performance, and it sounded gorgeous on the N20. Kenny Dorham\\u2019s legendary 1956 hard-bop album, \\u2019Round Midnight at the Caf\\u00e9 Bohemia [Blue Note BLP 1524] was presented through the N20 with the wonderful intimacy and nuance that only come from live recordings made late at night in a jazz club, when the band is fully warmed up and really swinging. The stick and brushwork of Arthur Edgehill on cymbals was rendered with a fine, delicate, brassy sheen; Dorham\\u2019s trumpet was warm, sweet, and inviting, never biting. The Aurender N20\\u2019s fine rendering of space, atmosphere, and instrumental subtleties put me in the club with the audience. What a wonderful recording.Summing up, I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness. Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly, best-sounding audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.Specs & PricingDigital outputs: AES\/EBU, coaxial, BNC (75\\u03a9), TosLink, USBCompatible formats: Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and sample rates: SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz; USB: 32bit\/384kHz; DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native DSD: Up to DSD512Control app: Aurender Conductor iPad and iPhone app, Android phone and tabletSSD caching drive\/DRAM: 1x 500GB, M.2 MVME\/DDR3 8GBDSD-to-PCM: Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDigital I\/O: 2x Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.0 data portsInternal UPS: Super Capacitor-based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster clock input: Word clock or master clock input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\\u200b, input impedance 75\\u03a9Integral storage: None (two trays for 2.5\\u2033 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs, user installed)Dimensions: 16.9\\u2033 x 4.4\\u2033 x 14.0\\u2033Weight: 29.8 lbs.Price: $12,000Associated EquipmentDigital sources: Aurender N20 server streamer, Mac Mini Roon Core Server, Sonore OpticalModule fiber-media converter, Uptone Audio EtherREGEN Ethernet switch, Uptone Audio LPS-1.2 linear power supply.D\/A Converter: Lampizator Baltic 3 and Holo Audio May KTE R2RAnalog source: Michell Gyro SE, SME V, Bob\\u2019s Devices Cinemag step-up transformerPhonostage: E.A.R. 324Preamplifier: First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 SE MkIII-SI active preamp with Paramount Special Edition UpgradePower amplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART150SIntegrated Amplifier: Constellation InspirationLoudspeakers: Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2, Dynaudio Contour S3.4 with Esotar 2 tweeters, REL R-305 subwooferCables: Shunyata Research Sigma XC and NR V2 (Everest & amplifiers), Alpha NR V2 (preamp and phonostage), Shunyata Omega QR-s (DAC), V14D Digital power cables (for 100% digital components), Shunyata Omega and Sigma interconnects, Omega Ethernet cable, Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and Shunyata V2 VTX-Ag speaker cables, Shunyata DF-SS cable elevators.A\/C power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 and SR-Z1 wall outlet. Tags:AURENDERDIGITALMUSIC SERVERNETWORKMost PopularThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All TimeThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All Timeby TAS Staff Apr 01st, 2011Check out our selections for loudspeakers2021 Editors\\u2019 Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $10,000 \\u2013 $20,000by TAS Staff Mar 30th, 2021top_50_202050 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audioby TAS Staff Dec 14th, 2020rega_p6Rega P6 Turntable, RB330 Tonearm, Neo PSU, and Ania Moving-Coil Cartridgeby Wayne Garcia May 06th, 2021TopBACK TO TOPBy Stephen ScharfI\\u2019ve worked as a molecular biologist for my entire professional career. As one of the inventors of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), I worked in human molecular genetics and developing molecular-diagnostic and DNA forensic testsMore articles from this editorCat IconREAD PREVIOUSPrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated AmplifierREAD NEXTPop Quiz (Everyone Wins): What Songs Give You Chills?Read Next From ReviewSEE ALLPiega Ace 30REVIEWPiega Ace 30Variety is the hallmark of a thriving ecosystem. High-end audio [\\u2026]by Drew Kalbach May 31st, 2022M&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferREVIEWM&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferAllow me to set the scene: You\\u2019re a young audiophile, [\\u2026]by Neil Gader May 31st, 2022Editors\\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000REVIEWEditors\\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000Sutherland Engineering 20\/20 Mk2 $2200 (linear power supply option, $450) [\\u2026]by TAS Staff May 24th, 2022Editors\\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpREVIEWEditors\\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpRogue Audio Cronus Magnum MKIII $3295 Rogue\\u2019s 90Wpc Cronus Magnum [\\u2026]by TAS Staff May 23rd, 2022Sign Up To Our NewsletterName*Your NameFirstEmailYour EmailConsent* I have read and agree to the terms and conditions*BrandsThe Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation.Martin Logan Paradigmhttps:\/\/images.theabsolutesound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logo-white.pngThe Absolute Sound is the world\\u2019s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.SUBSCRIBEMAGAZINEAbout usShopAdvertiseBack IssuesCONNECTFacebookInstagramYoutubeContact via EmailJOIN OUR NEWSLETTEREmailEnter Your Email HereTerms and conditions Privacy Community GuidelinesCopyright \\u00a9 2022 The Absolute Sound. All rights reserved. Aurender - The Future of SoundAudiophile Premium Audio Support News & Review Where To BuyN20 High Definition Caching Music Server \/ Streamer2 x Slot for 2.5inch HDD or SSD Drive (user installed)USB, AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC, Optical Outputs and Word Clock InputN20The N20 caching music server \/ streamer provides the fidelity, features and flexibility the digital audiophile will find attractive and meaningful. A significant advantage is that the N20 contains two empty storage bays. This allows you to customize storage to best meet your budget and intended use. For example, these days many music lovers listen exclusively to streaming content. Therefore, no internal storage is necessary (although it can be easily added at any time if desired). Have a modestly sized music collection? Install an inexpensive 2TB HDD. Own a massive music library? Opt-in for 2 SSDs or HDDs. Fully loaded, the N20 is capable of accommodating an incredible 16TB of solid-state storage!Within the Aurender range of models, the N20 truly represents the best cost \/ performance ratio in terms of audio performance, features and functionally. Many performance enhancing design techniques, circuit topologies and upgraded component parts have been employed to push its advancement of digital audio reproduction.An Intel Quad Core CPU is used to support the most demanding digital file codecs including Native DSD512 transmission. All file types and formats are handled by this processor with exceptional ease and aplomb. Our latest generation SPDIF digital output suite employs transformer isolated grounding for the lowest possible noise floor, and our USB Audio Class 2.0 output benefits from our latest jitter and noise reducing designs. A word clock input is included as well. This allows for an external word clock to be connected, pushing our reference-class SPDIF digital output performance even higher! And, a double-isolated Ethernet LAN port significantly reduces network \/ router noise, lowering the overall system noise floor for a clearer and more pristine audio signal.However, improvements are not limited only to the N20\\u2019s exceptional audio performance. The new, bold 8.8\\u201d full-color front panel display illustrates the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist using a large and vibrant readout. And, practically speaking, an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS) has the ability to perform safe shutdown under an abrupt power outage preventing system and\/or disc corruption.TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONFEATURESUltra-High-Quality SPDIF and AES\/EBU Digital Audio OutputsThe N20\\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, and Optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation with some DACs due to the superior clock and oscillator. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal out to the DAC at intervals defined by the on-board precision OCXO clock. With a clock this precise, once heard, you\\u2019ll want to use it.Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long-Term Jitter ReductionOCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today, and are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate, which can lead to jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable, high-grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a compartment and kept at a constant temperature to maintain an absolutely stable flow of information.Precision DSD-to-PCM Conversion by FPGAMany DACs support DSD decoding only on their USB inputs, but not on SPDIF. Additionally, some excellent DACs still in use are non-DSD compliant altogether. That\\u2019s why the Aurender N20 (and W20SE and N10) all feature this extremely high quality method of DSD-to-PCM conversion on-the-fly by FPGA. The resulting sampling frequency output is user selectable between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz, gain is adjustable 1-6dB and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz and 50Hz settings.FPGA-Based All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop SystemAn All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop system (ADPLL) incorporating Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) with OCXO clocks precisely times digital audio data transmissions and minimizes jitter to below negligible levels. The results are sonically audible with better image focus, a wider, deeper, taller soundstage presentation and an uncanny analog-like organic quality.Dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 Output with Ultra-Low Noise Power CircuitryThe N20\\u2019s dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 output is designed to deliver an exceptionally transparent audio signal free of noise and jitter, and it is shielded from outside electronic interference. The improved module-type design is chassis mounted for strength and durability.Dedicated Word Clock InputThe N20 offers support for an external word clock which can, in some cases, improve upon the SPDIF audio performance in terms of musical rhythm, pace, timing, and phase coherance. If the user wants to use a separate master clock and SPDIF interconnects, a music server with master clock input is needed as well as a DAC with master clock input. The external word clock can then be used to synchronize timing between both digital devices ensuring jitter-free and time-perfect data transmission. N20 can accept word clocks with the following frequencies: Master clock: 10MHz, 12.8MHz, Word clock: 44.1KHz and 48KHz in multiples from 1 to 512. N20 supports both word clock (dCS, DACs or similar) or Master Clock (MSB DACs or similar) inputs.Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)At the heart of any music server is, essentially, a computer. Like any desktop computer, it doesn\\u2019t like when its electrical connection is abruptly terminated. In the case of an AC power outage or momentary \\u201cbrownout\\u201d, the N20 is protected by a clever super capacitor-based power supply which allows the unit to stay powered on long enough to automatically power down. This prevents the system and hard drives from being corrupted by the loss of AC power.User-Installable Hard Drive Storage with Solid-State Caching Drive for PlaybackThe N20 provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of the type and capacity of drive that can be fitted. Each of the two trays on the rear panel can be fitted with a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 5TB HDD or a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 8TB SSD. You can choose to install one or both to accommodate your current capacity and\/or future expansion of your digital files. If installed, these internal hard drives provide storage for your music library and an internal 500GB solid-state drive is used to cache music for playback. If a selected song or album is already cached to the solid-state drive, the storage drive remains idle. This minimizes the system\\u2019s overhead resources in se, and wear and tear on the hard drive. Additionally, by caching songs to the solid-state drive for playback, electrical and acoustic noise resulting from spinning disks, moving heads and motors is completely eliminated.USB HDD and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) SupportThe most streamlined use case occurs when music is stored on the Aurender\\u2019s internal storage. However, the Aurender platform is also capable of seamlessly integrating content stored on a NAS, external USB HDD or thumb drive. Two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel are used to import content or playback from the attached storage device. If importing content, Aurender\\u2019s SmartCopy feature can be used for bulk transfer or to selectively copy specific content onto the internal hard drives.Upsampling and Critical Listening ModeN20 offers the user the ability to upsample any lower resolution content to a user determined sampling rate. Three selections are available to choose from: 44.1\/48kHz, 88.2\/96kHz and 176.4\/192kHz. Since results vary from server-to-DAC combinations, experimentation is in order to determine the sonic results. Upsampling effects only the system\\u2019s SPDIF digital outputs, not USB. Critical Listening Mode is a feature that allows the user to defeat any background tasks and circuitry that are non-essential to playing music. By defeating the display illumination and disabling other background functions, system resources are reduced for the best possible sound quality.Aurender Conductor App Packed with Convenient Features for Full-Function ControlThe Aurender Conductor App turns the iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets into a versatile user interface for all Aurender music servers. All settings and functions of the Aurender server can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and Conductor comes with extensive features to make browsing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze. Two streaming services, Qobuz and Tidal (subscription required) are embedded within the Conductor App allowing easy access to millions of high-resolution albums. Content found on streaming services can be easily integrated into your main file library, making it easy to combine and compile content in one location.MQA Core Decoder (optional in-app purchase)Aurender\\u2019s MQA Core Decoder upgrade enables MQA Core or first unfold allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz. This is beneficial if using a non-MQA DAC as Core Decoding will deliver some of the MQA benefit from MQA encoded content. Additionally, MQA Core Decoder will work with DACs that perform MQA rendering which is the second stage of MQA decoding. Together, they provides full MQA decoding.Remote Internet Technical SupportSending a Remote Support Request through the Aurender App allows engineers to quickly diagnose and correct problems over the Internet. This service can correct for file, software or firmware issues and is a service provided free of charge.PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONSSilver or Black finish16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kgN20-SilverN20-BlackN20 SPECIFICATIONSCompatible Formats Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and Sample Rates SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHzUSB: 32bit \/ 384kHz, DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native \\u2013 Up to DSD512User Software Aurender Conductor App for iPad, iPhone, Android Phone and TabletsSSD Caching Drive\/DRAM 1 x 500GB, M.2 MVME \/ DDR3 8GBSPDIF Output Isolation Isolated by separate transformer core. Full-Linear power supplyDSD-to-PCM Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDedicated USB Audio Output Audio Class 2.0, Module-typeDigital Audio Outputs(1 each) AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC (75\\u03a9), TOS-LINK, USBDigital I\/O 1 2X Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 x USB 3.0 data ports\\u200bAudio Clock Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) jitter reducing clockInternal UPS Super Capacitor based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster Clock Input Word Clock or Master Clock Input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\\u200b, Input impedance 75\\u03a9Content Storage None. Two trays for 2.5\\u201d 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs. User installedPower Consumption \\u200bPlay (27W), Peak (37W), Standby (3.1W)Dimensions 16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)Weight 29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kg Aurender HQ : OBIZ Tower 1612, 126, Beolmal-ro, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14057, South KoreaAurender America Inc : 20381 Lake Forest Drive, STE B-3 , Lake Forest, California 92630, USAAurender Europe SL.: Ka\\u00f1ueta Bidea 20 D, 20018 San Sebastian, SpainCopyright \\u00a9 AurenderAurender is the brand name of Aurender Inc.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"AURENDER N20 Music Server – The Absolute Sound review\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7\",\"name\":\"darko\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"darko\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/author\/darko\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"AURENDER N20 Music Server - The Absolute Sound review - INTEK HI-FI","description":"Up to 84% in savings when you subscribe to The Absolute SoundSUBSCRIBELogo ReviewsReviews News Shows Blog Buyer\u2019s Guides Magazine Music Brands SUBSCRIBEhttps:\/\/www.theabsolutesound.com\/articles\/aurender-n20-music-server Aurender N20 Music ServerREVIEW by Stephen Scharf May 20th, 2022A A AAurender N20 Music ServerWithin the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence of a market for a new type of high-end audio component: the digital-music server\/streamer. Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering. Description, Functions, FeaturesThe Aurender N20 is an \u201call-in-one\u201d digital-music server\/streamer that integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port to connect to your router in a single component that can be placed in your main audio rack. Contrast the N20 to my streaming setup, where I have servers and fiber-media converters in one room, connected by a long run of optical fiber to an Uptone EtherREGEN and SOtM network bridge in my listening room. Each of these devices requires its own linear power supply, Shunyata NR power cords, and Ethernet cables. While the setup works, it\u2019s, well, complicated. Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM\/3 (which has virtually no support for on-board music-file storage), the N20 comes with two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow you to add the amount of on-board music storage that best meets your needs and budget. For example, if you listen exclusively to music from an online streaming service, there will be no need to add internal storage. If your requirements change, on-board music-file storage can be added by installing a 2.5\u2033 hard drive in one or both of the N20\u2019s hard-drive bays. At full capacity, the N20 can provide up to 16TB of storage (with SSD drives). Another key N20 feature is its all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL), utilizing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in conjunction with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks for audio components\u2014orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than the ordinary crystal oscillators found in computers and \u201cgeneric\u201d consumer-grade networking devices. Due to the superior clock and oscillator, the N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, coaxial, and optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal to the outboard DAC, at intervals defined by the precision, on-board OCXO clock. The Aurender N20 also utilizes an Intel Quad-Core CPU to support streaming of digital file codecs, including native DSD512. All supported file types and formats are handled by this dedicated processor. Because many DACs only support DSD decoding via a USB interface, the N20 also supports DSD-to-PCM conversion on its SPDIF interface by use of an FPGA. This permits the sampling-frequency output to be selected between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz. Moreover, the gain is adjustable in 1\u20136dB steps, and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, and 50Hz settings. Additionally, the N20 supports the MQA first-unfold, allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz with an optional in-app purchase. It is also compatible with DACs that perform MQA rendering, thus providing full MQA decoding with those MQA-compatible DACs. The first unfold expands the 48kHz sample rate of the MQA file to 88.2kHz or 96kHz for conversion by your DAC at that higher frequency. This works with any DAC. For the full MQA experience, you\u2019ll need an MQA-compatible DAC that performs the second decoding step\u2014MQA rendering.The N20\u2019s SPDIF digital output employs transformer-isolated grounding that reduces the noise floor; the USB 2.0 output also benefits from Aurender\u2019s latest methodologies to reduce noise and jitter. A word-clock input allows for an external word clock to be connected, which could, depending on its quality, significantly increase SPDIF digital-output performance. The RJ45 Ethernet LAN port is also double-isolated with Ethernet isolation transformers, which reduce noise components from the network or router and lower the overall system noise floor for quieter and more accurate playback of audio signals. The N20 also has an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which can perform a safe shutdown in the event of an abrupt power outage, thereby preventing system and\/or disc corruption.Setup and UseSetting up the Aurender N20 is easy, fast, and effective: Take the unit out of its box, place it on your rack, connect power, networking, and signal cables, and power it up; flip to Page 2 of the short, printed, set-up guide that comes with the N20; use a bar-code app on your smartphone to take a screenshot of the 3-D bar code printed on that page, and the Aurender Conductor app will download to your phone; launch the Aurender Conductor app, and it will look for an Aurender on your network, and prompt you to connect to the specific model that it finds; hit the onscreen button, and\u2026that\u2019s it! You\u2019re up and running! If you have Tidal or Qobuz, you can log into your account in the Conductor app, and, presto, you\u2019re streaming content. It took me all of eight minutes from taking the N20 out of its box to streaming music to my DAC. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The Aurender N20 also provides functions, features, and flexibilities that make using it and accessing your digital music simple and easy. If you have a lot of ripped or downloaded music files, simply add a hard drive to one (or both) of the bays previously mentioned, connect your music library to the N20\u2019s USB port, and easily transfer your music. One of the other notable features about the Aurender N20 is its large, 8.8\u2033-wide LCD display. The display shows the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist in beautiful color. A nice touch is you can easily read it from across the room. Using the Aurender AppWhile many folks will use the Aurender Conductor app via a smartphone or tablet, because the new M1 Macs now support native iOS applications, I used my 2021 MacBook Pro laptop to run the iPad version of the Conductor app! This was cool as I invariably prefer using my laptop with its larger display to using a smartphone or a tablet. The larger screen on the iPad version of the Conductor app shows a set of panels that allow browsing of available ripped or streaming content on the right side of the screen. Icons at the top allow you to toggle between content on the Aurender itself or content from a streaming service. When the Aurender icon is selected (signifying that it will scan content on internal drives), there are two menu hierarchies: the top-row menu allows you to select Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Composer, Conductor, and Folder. Under this row is another list of choices which reflect the names of the folders on your internal storage (if applicable). There are filters to view recently added content, DSD, Hi-Res PCM, or \u201cstarred\u201d favorite content. There is also a Search field at the top right.When the streaming service icon (e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) is selected, there are two menu hierarchies. At the top is Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, and Search. Underneath that row that is New Release, Streaming Charts, Download Charts, Most Featured, By the Media, Editor Picks, Qobuzinissim, The Qobuz Ideal Discography, and Purchased. You can easily hide the right-side content panel by swiping right, showing more of the actual content being played on the left side of the app. At top is the Song Detail metadata with its respective content and track info. Below the Song Detail pane, are the Queue and Playlist Editor panels. The features of these two panels overlap quite a bit. The Queue panel lets you play a previously saved Playlist; Save, Edit, and Shuffle the content in the playlist; and turn Consume Mode on. The Playlist Editor lets you select a previously saved Playlist, as well as Save, Edit, and Play the current playlist. As a long-time Roon user, I found it easiest to use the Conductor app by picking an album in the right side of the display, either from the internal drive or Qobuz, and after selecting the small oval icon with three dots at the top right, simply pressing Replace Queue with the new album of choice in the dialog box that pops-up. This will remove the tracks from the previously played album in the Queue and replace them with the tracks from the just-selected album. There are some other choices in this menu that let you decide how you may want to play a given album or the tracks you\u2019ve selected, but I found just using Replace Queue to be the most \u201calbum-oriented\u201d and, for me, the most effective method. While the Conductor app isn\u2019t as intuitive as Roon\u2019s interface, it does allow you to add and \u201cmix \u2019n\u2019 match\u201d content from different sources, such as albums and\/or streaming playlists, to the tracks in the playback Queue. You can also easily create and save custom playlists, either from files on the drive or from streaming services, within the Aurender app. A particularly nice feature is if you click on the album cover and then touch on the album artwork, an icon with three lines at the lower right pops up that lets you overlay the album track list onto the album artwork. This is a nice feature if, like me, you tend to prefer to listen to an album in its entirety. Listening ImpressionsRight from the get-go, the Aurender N20 impressed me with its audio quality. Blessed with exceptional transparency, resolution, clarity, and focus, the music was presented with superb tonal accuracy, dynamic articulation, and instrumental and vocal body against a jet-black background devoid of digital hash, grit, or grain. The foundational work done by Aurender to mitigate all possible sources of grunge, phase noise, threshold jitter, etc. from servers, networks, and the component itself strips away those nuisance noise factors that can result in disengagement compared to a world-class analog source. Combine this very clean foundation with FPGA-controlled OCXO clocking, and you get an engaging, involving, natural, and organic presentation that pulls you fully into the musical experience and simply won\u2019t let go. I spent many a late night enjoying the Aurender, unable to tear myself away from the music. Have a listen to Gene Harris\u2019 beautiful piano playing on the Ray Brown Trio\u2019s wonderful Soular Energy [Analogue Productions 268], for example. His piano sounds so relaxed, so natural, effusive, and harmonious, that you just can\u2019t help getting sucked into \u201cCry Me a River.\u201d The \u201cvapor trail\u201d from the piano has outstanding timbral and temporal articulation as it decays gently into the depth and space of the studio. Brown\u2019s bass makes a beautifully textured, weighty, superbly defined counterpoint to Harris\u2019 piano. The two artists play off each other, fully resolved in their own spaces. Sublime. A standout quality of the N20 is its ability to present and portray tonal density\u2014the attribute that gives instruments and vocalists their gravitas. Whether it\u2019s the shimmering, almost dulcimer-like quality of Chris Jones\u2019 solo guitar on \u201cSet \u2019Em Up, Joe\u201d [Closer to the Music, Vol. 1, Stockfisch Records SFR357.2903.0] or the weight, body, and power of Oscar Peterson\u2019s piano and the tonal color and richness of Ben Webster\u2019s sax on Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [Verve 5214482], the N20\u2019s presentation is driven forward with powerful and refined sophistication in rhythm and timing. Staying seated in my listening chair was challenging because this wonderful recording just swings with the N20. I also spent some time listening to the N20 in Critical Listening Mode, where the main display and other ancillary functions are powered down to provide the best possible audio quality. In this mode, the N20\u2019s sonic attributes do not change in character or degree. What is improved, however, is soundstage resolution and refinement, imaging definition and placement, and the resolution of spatial and ambient cues. This was most noticeable on recordings made in real spaces, e.g., churches or symphony halls, rather than in the \u201cspaces\u201d created by a recording engineer in a studio session. Using Critical Listening Mode for J. S. Bach\u2019s Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor [Bach: Violin Concertos, Philips 420 700-2], played by the incomparable Arthur Grumiaux and Les Soloistes Romands, was a veritable delight. Grumiaux\u2019s impeccable tone, attack, and pacing, his exquisite phrasing and control of dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?) infused this wonderful recording with energy, joy, and exuberance. With Critical Listening Mode on, I heard spatial, imaging, and soundstage cues that I had never heard before. It is a tour de force performance, and it sounded gorgeous on the N20. Kenny Dorham\u2019s legendary 1956 hard-bop album, \u2019Round Midnight at the Caf\u00e9 Bohemia [Blue Note BLP 1524] was presented through the N20 with the wonderful intimacy and nuance that only come from live recordings made late at night in a jazz club, when the band is fully warmed up and really swinging. The stick and brushwork of Arthur Edgehill on cymbals was rendered with a fine, delicate, brassy sheen; Dorham\u2019s trumpet was warm, sweet, and inviting, never biting. The Aurender N20\u2019s fine rendering of space, atmosphere, and instrumental subtleties put me in the club with the audience. What a wonderful recording.Summing up, I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness. Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly, best-sounding audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.Specs & PricingDigital outputs: AES\/EBU, coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TosLink, USBCompatible formats: Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and sample rates: SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz; USB: 32bit\/384kHz; DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native DSD: Up to DSD512Control app: Aurender Conductor iPad and iPhone app, Android phone and tabletSSD caching drive\/DRAM: 1x 500GB, M.2 MVME\/DDR3 8GBDSD-to-PCM: Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDigital I\/O: 2x Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.0 data portsInternal UPS: Super Capacitor-based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster clock input: Word clock or master clock input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, input impedance 75\u03a9Integral storage: None (two trays for 2.5\u2033 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs, user installed)Dimensions: 16.9\u2033 x 4.4\u2033 x 14.0\u2033Weight: 29.8 lbs.Price: $12,000Associated EquipmentDigital sources: Aurender N20 server streamer, Mac Mini Roon Core Server, Sonore OpticalModule fiber-media converter, Uptone Audio EtherREGEN Ethernet switch, Uptone Audio LPS-1.2 linear power supply.D\/A Converter: Lampizator Baltic 3 and Holo Audio May KTE R2RAnalog source: Michell Gyro SE, SME V, Bob\u2019s Devices Cinemag step-up transformerPhonostage: E.A.R. 324Preamplifier: First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 SE MkIII-SI active preamp with Paramount Special Edition UpgradePower amplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART150SIntegrated Amplifier: Constellation InspirationLoudspeakers: Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2, Dynaudio Contour S3.4 with Esotar 2 tweeters, REL R-305 subwooferCables: Shunyata Research Sigma XC and NR V2 (Everest & amplifiers), Alpha NR V2 (preamp and phonostage), Shunyata Omega QR-s (DAC), V14D Digital power cables (for 100% digital components), Shunyata Omega and Sigma interconnects, Omega Ethernet cable, Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and Shunyata V2 VTX-Ag speaker cables, Shunyata DF-SS cable elevators.A\/C power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 and SR-Z1 wall outlet. Tags:AURENDERDIGITALMUSIC SERVERNETWORKMost PopularThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All TimeThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All Timeby TAS Staff Apr 01st, 2011Check out our selections for loudspeakers2021 Editors\u2019 Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $10,000 \u2013 $20,000by TAS Staff Mar 30th, 2021top_50_202050 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audioby TAS Staff Dec 14th, 2020rega_p6Rega P6 Turntable, RB330 Tonearm, Neo PSU, and Ania Moving-Coil Cartridgeby Wayne Garcia May 06th, 2021TopBACK TO TOPBy Stephen ScharfI\u2019ve worked as a molecular biologist for my entire professional career. As one of the inventors of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), I worked in human molecular genetics and developing molecular-diagnostic and DNA forensic testsMore articles from this editorCat IconREAD PREVIOUSPrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated AmplifierREAD NEXTPop Quiz (Everyone Wins): What Songs Give You Chills?Read Next From ReviewSEE ALLPiega Ace 30REVIEWPiega Ace 30Variety is the hallmark of a thriving ecosystem. High-end audio [\u2026]by Drew Kalbach May 31st, 2022M&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferREVIEWM&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferAllow me to set the scene: You\u2019re a young audiophile, [\u2026]by Neil Gader May 31st, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000REVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000Sutherland Engineering 20\/20 Mk2 $2200 (linear power supply option, $450) [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 24th, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpREVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpRogue Audio Cronus Magnum MKIII $3295 Rogue\u2019s 90Wpc Cronus Magnum [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 23rd, 2022Sign Up To Our NewsletterName*Your NameFirstEmailYour EmailConsent* I have read and agree to the terms and conditions*BrandsThe Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation.Martin Logan Paradigmhttps:\/\/images.theabsolutesound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logo-white.pngThe Absolute Sound is the world\u2019s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.SUBSCRIBEMAGAZINEAbout usShopAdvertiseBack IssuesCONNECTFacebookInstagramYoutubeContact via EmailJOIN OUR NEWSLETTEREmailEnter Your Email HereTerms and conditions Privacy Community GuidelinesCopyright \u00a9 2022 The Absolute Sound. All rights reserved. Aurender - The Future of SoundAudiophile Premium Audio Support News & Review Where To BuyN20 High Definition Caching Music Server \/ Streamer2 x Slot for 2.5inch HDD or SSD Drive (user installed)USB, AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC, Optical Outputs and Word Clock InputN20The N20 caching music server \/ streamer provides the fidelity, features and flexibility the digital audiophile will find attractive and meaningful. A significant advantage is that the N20 contains two empty storage bays. This allows you to customize storage to best meet your budget and intended use. For example, these days many music lovers listen exclusively to streaming content. Therefore, no internal storage is necessary (although it can be easily added at any time if desired). Have a modestly sized music collection? Install an inexpensive 2TB HDD. Own a massive music library? Opt-in for 2 SSDs or HDDs. Fully loaded, the N20 is capable of accommodating an incredible 16TB of solid-state storage!Within the Aurender range of models, the N20 truly represents the best cost \/ performance ratio in terms of audio performance, features and functionally. Many performance enhancing design techniques, circuit topologies and upgraded component parts have been employed to push its advancement of digital audio reproduction.An Intel Quad Core CPU is used to support the most demanding digital file codecs including Native DSD512 transmission. All file types and formats are handled by this processor with exceptional ease and aplomb. Our latest generation SPDIF digital output suite employs transformer isolated grounding for the lowest possible noise floor, and our USB Audio Class 2.0 output benefits from our latest jitter and noise reducing designs. A word clock input is included as well. This allows for an external word clock to be connected, pushing our reference-class SPDIF digital output performance even higher! And, a double-isolated Ethernet LAN port significantly reduces network \/ router noise, lowering the overall system noise floor for a clearer and more pristine audio signal.However, improvements are not limited only to the N20\u2019s exceptional audio performance. The new, bold 8.8\u201d full-color front panel display illustrates the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist using a large and vibrant readout. And, practically speaking, an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS) has the ability to perform safe shutdown under an abrupt power outage preventing system and\/or disc corruption.TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONFEATURESUltra-High-Quality SPDIF and AES\/EBU Digital Audio OutputsThe N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, and Optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation with some DACs due to the superior clock and oscillator. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal out to the DAC at intervals defined by the on-board precision OCXO clock. With a clock this precise, once heard, you\u2019ll want to use it.Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long-Term Jitter ReductionOCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today, and are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate, which can lead to jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable, high-grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a compartment and kept at a constant temperature to maintain an absolutely stable flow of information.Precision DSD-to-PCM Conversion by FPGAMany DACs support DSD decoding only on their USB inputs, but not on SPDIF. Additionally, some excellent DACs still in use are non-DSD compliant altogether. That\u2019s why the Aurender N20 (and W20SE and N10) all feature this extremely high quality method of DSD-to-PCM conversion on-the-fly by FPGA. The resulting sampling frequency output is user selectable between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz, gain is adjustable 1-6dB and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz and 50Hz settings.FPGA-Based All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop SystemAn All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop system (ADPLL) incorporating Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) with OCXO clocks precisely times digital audio data transmissions and minimizes jitter to below negligible levels. The results are sonically audible with better image focus, a wider, deeper, taller soundstage presentation and an uncanny analog-like organic quality.Dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 Output with Ultra-Low Noise Power CircuitryThe N20\u2019s dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 output is designed to deliver an exceptionally transparent audio signal free of noise and jitter, and it is shielded from outside electronic interference. The improved module-type design is chassis mounted for strength and durability.Dedicated Word Clock InputThe N20 offers support for an external word clock which can, in some cases, improve upon the SPDIF audio performance in terms of musical rhythm, pace, timing, and phase coherance. If the user wants to use a separate master clock and SPDIF interconnects, a music server with master clock input is needed as well as a DAC with master clock input. The external word clock can then be used to synchronize timing between both digital devices ensuring jitter-free and time-perfect data transmission. N20 can accept word clocks with the following frequencies: Master clock: 10MHz, 12.8MHz, Word clock: 44.1KHz and 48KHz in multiples from 1 to 512. N20 supports both word clock (dCS, DACs or similar) or Master Clock (MSB DACs or similar) inputs.Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)At the heart of any music server is, essentially, a computer. Like any desktop computer, it doesn\u2019t like when its electrical connection is abruptly terminated. In the case of an AC power outage or momentary \u201cbrownout\u201d, the N20 is protected by a clever super capacitor-based power supply which allows the unit to stay powered on long enough to automatically power down. This prevents the system and hard drives from being corrupted by the loss of AC power.User-Installable Hard Drive Storage with Solid-State Caching Drive for PlaybackThe N20 provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of the type and capacity of drive that can be fitted. Each of the two trays on the rear panel can be fitted with a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 5TB HDD or a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 8TB SSD. You can choose to install one or both to accommodate your current capacity and\/or future expansion of your digital files. If installed, these internal hard drives provide storage for your music library and an internal 500GB solid-state drive is used to cache music for playback. If a selected song or album is already cached to the solid-state drive, the storage drive remains idle. This minimizes the system\u2019s overhead resources in se, and wear and tear on the hard drive. Additionally, by caching songs to the solid-state drive for playback, electrical and acoustic noise resulting from spinning disks, moving heads and motors is completely eliminated.USB HDD and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) SupportThe most streamlined use case occurs when music is stored on the Aurender\u2019s internal storage. However, the Aurender platform is also capable of seamlessly integrating content stored on a NAS, external USB HDD or thumb drive. Two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel are used to import content or playback from the attached storage device. If importing content, Aurender\u2019s SmartCopy feature can be used for bulk transfer or to selectively copy specific content onto the internal hard drives.Upsampling and Critical Listening ModeN20 offers the user the ability to upsample any lower resolution content to a user determined sampling rate. Three selections are available to choose from: 44.1\/48kHz, 88.2\/96kHz and 176.4\/192kHz. Since results vary from server-to-DAC combinations, experimentation is in order to determine the sonic results. Upsampling effects only the system\u2019s SPDIF digital outputs, not USB. Critical Listening Mode is a feature that allows the user to defeat any background tasks and circuitry that are non-essential to playing music. By defeating the display illumination and disabling other background functions, system resources are reduced for the best possible sound quality.Aurender Conductor App Packed with Convenient Features for Full-Function ControlThe Aurender Conductor App turns the iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets into a versatile user interface for all Aurender music servers. All settings and functions of the Aurender server can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and Conductor comes with extensive features to make browsing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze. Two streaming services, Qobuz and Tidal (subscription required) are embedded within the Conductor App allowing easy access to millions of high-resolution albums. Content found on streaming services can be easily integrated into your main file library, making it easy to combine and compile content in one location.MQA Core Decoder (optional in-app purchase)Aurender\u2019s MQA Core Decoder upgrade enables MQA Core or first unfold allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz. This is beneficial if using a non-MQA DAC as Core Decoding will deliver some of the MQA benefit from MQA encoded content. Additionally, MQA Core Decoder will work with DACs that perform MQA rendering which is the second stage of MQA decoding. Together, they provides full MQA decoding.Remote Internet Technical SupportSending a Remote Support Request through the Aurender App allows engineers to quickly diagnose and correct problems over the Internet. This service can correct for file, software or firmware issues and is a service provided free of charge.PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONSSilver or Black finish16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kgN20-SilverN20-BlackN20 SPECIFICATIONSCompatible Formats Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and Sample Rates SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHzUSB: 32bit \/ 384kHz, DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native \u2013 Up to DSD512User Software Aurender Conductor App for iPad, iPhone, Android Phone and TabletsSSD Caching Drive\/DRAM 1 x 500GB, M.2 MVME \/ DDR3 8GBSPDIF Output Isolation Isolated by separate transformer core. Full-Linear power supplyDSD-to-PCM Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDedicated USB Audio Output Audio Class 2.0, Module-typeDigital Audio Outputs(1 each) AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TOS-LINK, USBDigital I\/O 1 2X Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 x USB 3.0 data ports\u200bAudio Clock Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) jitter reducing clockInternal UPS Super Capacitor based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster Clock Input Word Clock or Master Clock Input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, Input impedance 75\u03a9Content Storage None. Two trays for 2.5\u201d 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs. User installedPower Consumption \u200bPlay (27W), Peak (37W), Standby (3.1W)Dimensions 16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)Weight 29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kg Aurender HQ : OBIZ Tower 1612, 126, Beolmal-ro, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14057, South KoreaAurender America Inc : 20381 Lake Forest Drive, STE B-3 , Lake Forest, California 92630, USAAurender Europe SL.: Ka\u00f1ueta Bidea 20 D, 20018 San Sebastian, SpainCopyright \u00a9 AurenderAurender is the brand name of Aurender Inc.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"AURENDER N20 Music Server - The Absolute Sound review - INTEK HI-FI","og_description":"Up to 84% in savings when you subscribe to The Absolute SoundSUBSCRIBELogo ReviewsReviews News Shows Blog Buyer\u2019s Guides Magazine Music Brands SUBSCRIBEhttps:\/\/www.theabsolutesound.com\/articles\/aurender-n20-music-server Aurender N20 Music ServerREVIEW by Stephen Scharf May 20th, 2022A A AAurender N20 Music ServerWithin the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence of a market for a new type of high-end audio component: the digital-music server\/streamer. Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering. Description, Functions, FeaturesThe Aurender N20 is an \u201call-in-one\u201d digital-music server\/streamer that integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port to connect to your router in a single component that can be placed in your main audio rack. Contrast the N20 to my streaming setup, where I have servers and fiber-media converters in one room, connected by a long run of optical fiber to an Uptone EtherREGEN and SOtM network bridge in my listening room. Each of these devices requires its own linear power supply, Shunyata NR power cords, and Ethernet cables. While the setup works, it\u2019s, well, complicated. Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM\/3 (which has virtually no support for on-board music-file storage), the N20 comes with two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow you to add the amount of on-board music storage that best meets your needs and budget. For example, if you listen exclusively to music from an online streaming service, there will be no need to add internal storage. If your requirements change, on-board music-file storage can be added by installing a 2.5\u2033 hard drive in one or both of the N20\u2019s hard-drive bays. At full capacity, the N20 can provide up to 16TB of storage (with SSD drives). Another key N20 feature is its all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL), utilizing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in conjunction with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks for audio components\u2014orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than the ordinary crystal oscillators found in computers and \u201cgeneric\u201d consumer-grade networking devices. Due to the superior clock and oscillator, the N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, coaxial, and optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal to the outboard DAC, at intervals defined by the precision, on-board OCXO clock. The Aurender N20 also utilizes an Intel Quad-Core CPU to support streaming of digital file codecs, including native DSD512. All supported file types and formats are handled by this dedicated processor. Because many DACs only support DSD decoding via a USB interface, the N20 also supports DSD-to-PCM conversion on its SPDIF interface by use of an FPGA. This permits the sampling-frequency output to be selected between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz. Moreover, the gain is adjustable in 1\u20136dB steps, and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, and 50Hz settings. Additionally, the N20 supports the MQA first-unfold, allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz with an optional in-app purchase. It is also compatible with DACs that perform MQA rendering, thus providing full MQA decoding with those MQA-compatible DACs. The first unfold expands the 48kHz sample rate of the MQA file to 88.2kHz or 96kHz for conversion by your DAC at that higher frequency. This works with any DAC. For the full MQA experience, you\u2019ll need an MQA-compatible DAC that performs the second decoding step\u2014MQA rendering.The N20\u2019s SPDIF digital output employs transformer-isolated grounding that reduces the noise floor; the USB 2.0 output also benefits from Aurender\u2019s latest methodologies to reduce noise and jitter. A word-clock input allows for an external word clock to be connected, which could, depending on its quality, significantly increase SPDIF digital-output performance. The RJ45 Ethernet LAN port is also double-isolated with Ethernet isolation transformers, which reduce noise components from the network or router and lower the overall system noise floor for quieter and more accurate playback of audio signals. The N20 also has an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which can perform a safe shutdown in the event of an abrupt power outage, thereby preventing system and\/or disc corruption.Setup and UseSetting up the Aurender N20 is easy, fast, and effective: Take the unit out of its box, place it on your rack, connect power, networking, and signal cables, and power it up; flip to Page 2 of the short, printed, set-up guide that comes with the N20; use a bar-code app on your smartphone to take a screenshot of the 3-D bar code printed on that page, and the Aurender Conductor app will download to your phone; launch the Aurender Conductor app, and it will look for an Aurender on your network, and prompt you to connect to the specific model that it finds; hit the onscreen button, and\u2026that\u2019s it! You\u2019re up and running! If you have Tidal or Qobuz, you can log into your account in the Conductor app, and, presto, you\u2019re streaming content. It took me all of eight minutes from taking the N20 out of its box to streaming music to my DAC. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The Aurender N20 also provides functions, features, and flexibilities that make using it and accessing your digital music simple and easy. If you have a lot of ripped or downloaded music files, simply add a hard drive to one (or both) of the bays previously mentioned, connect your music library to the N20\u2019s USB port, and easily transfer your music. One of the other notable features about the Aurender N20 is its large, 8.8\u2033-wide LCD display. The display shows the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist in beautiful color. A nice touch is you can easily read it from across the room. Using the Aurender AppWhile many folks will use the Aurender Conductor app via a smartphone or tablet, because the new M1 Macs now support native iOS applications, I used my 2021 MacBook Pro laptop to run the iPad version of the Conductor app! This was cool as I invariably prefer using my laptop with its larger display to using a smartphone or a tablet. The larger screen on the iPad version of the Conductor app shows a set of panels that allow browsing of available ripped or streaming content on the right side of the screen. Icons at the top allow you to toggle between content on the Aurender itself or content from a streaming service. When the Aurender icon is selected (signifying that it will scan content on internal drives), there are two menu hierarchies: the top-row menu allows you to select Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Composer, Conductor, and Folder. Under this row is another list of choices which reflect the names of the folders on your internal storage (if applicable). There are filters to view recently added content, DSD, Hi-Res PCM, or \u201cstarred\u201d favorite content. There is also a Search field at the top right.When the streaming service icon (e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) is selected, there are two menu hierarchies. At the top is Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, and Search. Underneath that row that is New Release, Streaming Charts, Download Charts, Most Featured, By the Media, Editor Picks, Qobuzinissim, The Qobuz Ideal Discography, and Purchased. You can easily hide the right-side content panel by swiping right, showing more of the actual content being played on the left side of the app. At top is the Song Detail metadata with its respective content and track info. Below the Song Detail pane, are the Queue and Playlist Editor panels. The features of these two panels overlap quite a bit. The Queue panel lets you play a previously saved Playlist; Save, Edit, and Shuffle the content in the playlist; and turn Consume Mode on. The Playlist Editor lets you select a previously saved Playlist, as well as Save, Edit, and Play the current playlist. As a long-time Roon user, I found it easiest to use the Conductor app by picking an album in the right side of the display, either from the internal drive or Qobuz, and after selecting the small oval icon with three dots at the top right, simply pressing Replace Queue with the new album of choice in the dialog box that pops-up. This will remove the tracks from the previously played album in the Queue and replace them with the tracks from the just-selected album. There are some other choices in this menu that let you decide how you may want to play a given album or the tracks you\u2019ve selected, but I found just using Replace Queue to be the most \u201calbum-oriented\u201d and, for me, the most effective method. While the Conductor app isn\u2019t as intuitive as Roon\u2019s interface, it does allow you to add and \u201cmix \u2019n\u2019 match\u201d content from different sources, such as albums and\/or streaming playlists, to the tracks in the playback Queue. You can also easily create and save custom playlists, either from files on the drive or from streaming services, within the Aurender app. A particularly nice feature is if you click on the album cover and then touch on the album artwork, an icon with three lines at the lower right pops up that lets you overlay the album track list onto the album artwork. This is a nice feature if, like me, you tend to prefer to listen to an album in its entirety. Listening ImpressionsRight from the get-go, the Aurender N20 impressed me with its audio quality. Blessed with exceptional transparency, resolution, clarity, and focus, the music was presented with superb tonal accuracy, dynamic articulation, and instrumental and vocal body against a jet-black background devoid of digital hash, grit, or grain. The foundational work done by Aurender to mitigate all possible sources of grunge, phase noise, threshold jitter, etc. from servers, networks, and the component itself strips away those nuisance noise factors that can result in disengagement compared to a world-class analog source. Combine this very clean foundation with FPGA-controlled OCXO clocking, and you get an engaging, involving, natural, and organic presentation that pulls you fully into the musical experience and simply won\u2019t let go. I spent many a late night enjoying the Aurender, unable to tear myself away from the music. Have a listen to Gene Harris\u2019 beautiful piano playing on the Ray Brown Trio\u2019s wonderful Soular Energy [Analogue Productions 268], for example. His piano sounds so relaxed, so natural, effusive, and harmonious, that you just can\u2019t help getting sucked into \u201cCry Me a River.\u201d The \u201cvapor trail\u201d from the piano has outstanding timbral and temporal articulation as it decays gently into the depth and space of the studio. Brown\u2019s bass makes a beautifully textured, weighty, superbly defined counterpoint to Harris\u2019 piano. The two artists play off each other, fully resolved in their own spaces. Sublime. A standout quality of the N20 is its ability to present and portray tonal density\u2014the attribute that gives instruments and vocalists their gravitas. Whether it\u2019s the shimmering, almost dulcimer-like quality of Chris Jones\u2019 solo guitar on \u201cSet \u2019Em Up, Joe\u201d [Closer to the Music, Vol. 1, Stockfisch Records SFR357.2903.0] or the weight, body, and power of Oscar Peterson\u2019s piano and the tonal color and richness of Ben Webster\u2019s sax on Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [Verve 5214482], the N20\u2019s presentation is driven forward with powerful and refined sophistication in rhythm and timing. Staying seated in my listening chair was challenging because this wonderful recording just swings with the N20. I also spent some time listening to the N20 in Critical Listening Mode, where the main display and other ancillary functions are powered down to provide the best possible audio quality. In this mode, the N20\u2019s sonic attributes do not change in character or degree. What is improved, however, is soundstage resolution and refinement, imaging definition and placement, and the resolution of spatial and ambient cues. This was most noticeable on recordings made in real spaces, e.g., churches or symphony halls, rather than in the \u201cspaces\u201d created by a recording engineer in a studio session. Using Critical Listening Mode for J. S. Bach\u2019s Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor [Bach: Violin Concertos, Philips 420 700-2], played by the incomparable Arthur Grumiaux and Les Soloistes Romands, was a veritable delight. Grumiaux\u2019s impeccable tone, attack, and pacing, his exquisite phrasing and control of dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?) infused this wonderful recording with energy, joy, and exuberance. With Critical Listening Mode on, I heard spatial, imaging, and soundstage cues that I had never heard before. It is a tour de force performance, and it sounded gorgeous on the N20. Kenny Dorham\u2019s legendary 1956 hard-bop album, \u2019Round Midnight at the Caf\u00e9 Bohemia [Blue Note BLP 1524] was presented through the N20 with the wonderful intimacy and nuance that only come from live recordings made late at night in a jazz club, when the band is fully warmed up and really swinging. The stick and brushwork of Arthur Edgehill on cymbals was rendered with a fine, delicate, brassy sheen; Dorham\u2019s trumpet was warm, sweet, and inviting, never biting. The Aurender N20\u2019s fine rendering of space, atmosphere, and instrumental subtleties put me in the club with the audience. What a wonderful recording.Summing up, I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness. Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly, best-sounding audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.Specs & PricingDigital outputs: AES\/EBU, coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TosLink, USBCompatible formats: Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and sample rates: SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz; USB: 32bit\/384kHz; DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native DSD: Up to DSD512Control app: Aurender Conductor iPad and iPhone app, Android phone and tabletSSD caching drive\/DRAM: 1x 500GB, M.2 MVME\/DDR3 8GBDSD-to-PCM: Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDigital I\/O: 2x Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.0 data portsInternal UPS: Super Capacitor-based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster clock input: Word clock or master clock input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, input impedance 75\u03a9Integral storage: None (two trays for 2.5\u2033 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs, user installed)Dimensions: 16.9\u2033 x 4.4\u2033 x 14.0\u2033Weight: 29.8 lbs.Price: $12,000Associated EquipmentDigital sources: Aurender N20 server streamer, Mac Mini Roon Core Server, Sonore OpticalModule fiber-media converter, Uptone Audio EtherREGEN Ethernet switch, Uptone Audio LPS-1.2 linear power supply.D\/A Converter: Lampizator Baltic 3 and Holo Audio May KTE R2RAnalog source: Michell Gyro SE, SME V, Bob\u2019s Devices Cinemag step-up transformerPhonostage: E.A.R. 324Preamplifier: First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 SE MkIII-SI active preamp with Paramount Special Edition UpgradePower amplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART150SIntegrated Amplifier: Constellation InspirationLoudspeakers: Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2, Dynaudio Contour S3.4 with Esotar 2 tweeters, REL R-305 subwooferCables: Shunyata Research Sigma XC and NR V2 (Everest & amplifiers), Alpha NR V2 (preamp and phonostage), Shunyata Omega QR-s (DAC), V14D Digital power cables (for 100% digital components), Shunyata Omega and Sigma interconnects, Omega Ethernet cable, Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and Shunyata V2 VTX-Ag speaker cables, Shunyata DF-SS cable elevators.A\/C power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 and SR-Z1 wall outlet. Tags:AURENDERDIGITALMUSIC SERVERNETWORKMost PopularThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All TimeThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All Timeby TAS Staff Apr 01st, 2011Check out our selections for loudspeakers2021 Editors\u2019 Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $10,000 \u2013 $20,000by TAS Staff Mar 30th, 2021top_50_202050 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audioby TAS Staff Dec 14th, 2020rega_p6Rega P6 Turntable, RB330 Tonearm, Neo PSU, and Ania Moving-Coil Cartridgeby Wayne Garcia May 06th, 2021TopBACK TO TOPBy Stephen ScharfI\u2019ve worked as a molecular biologist for my entire professional career. 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High-end audio [\u2026]by Drew Kalbach May 31st, 2022M&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferREVIEWM&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferAllow me to set the scene: You\u2019re a young audiophile, [\u2026]by Neil Gader May 31st, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000REVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000Sutherland Engineering 20\/20 Mk2 $2200 (linear power supply option, $450) [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 24th, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpREVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpRogue Audio Cronus Magnum MKIII $3295 Rogue\u2019s 90Wpc Cronus Magnum [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 23rd, 2022Sign Up To Our NewsletterName*Your NameFirstEmailYour EmailConsent* I have read and agree to the terms and conditions*BrandsThe Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation.Martin Logan Paradigmhttps:\/\/images.theabsolutesound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logo-white.pngThe Absolute Sound is the world\u2019s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.SUBSCRIBEMAGAZINEAbout usShopAdvertiseBack IssuesCONNECTFacebookInstagramYoutubeContact via EmailJOIN OUR NEWSLETTEREmailEnter Your Email HereTerms and conditions Privacy Community GuidelinesCopyright \u00a9 2022 The Absolute Sound. All rights reserved. Aurender - The Future of SoundAudiophile Premium Audio Support News & Review Where To BuyN20 High Definition Caching Music Server \/ Streamer2 x Slot for 2.5inch HDD or SSD Drive (user installed)USB, AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC, Optical Outputs and Word Clock InputN20The N20 caching music server \/ streamer provides the fidelity, features and flexibility the digital audiophile will find attractive and meaningful. A significant advantage is that the N20 contains two empty storage bays. This allows you to customize storage to best meet your budget and intended use. For example, these days many music lovers listen exclusively to streaming content. Therefore, no internal storage is necessary (although it can be easily added at any time if desired). Have a modestly sized music collection? Install an inexpensive 2TB HDD. Own a massive music library? Opt-in for 2 SSDs or HDDs. Fully loaded, the N20 is capable of accommodating an incredible 16TB of solid-state storage!Within the Aurender range of models, the N20 truly represents the best cost \/ performance ratio in terms of audio performance, features and functionally. Many performance enhancing design techniques, circuit topologies and upgraded component parts have been employed to push its advancement of digital audio reproduction.An Intel Quad Core CPU is used to support the most demanding digital file codecs including Native DSD512 transmission. All file types and formats are handled by this processor with exceptional ease and aplomb. Our latest generation SPDIF digital output suite employs transformer isolated grounding for the lowest possible noise floor, and our USB Audio Class 2.0 output benefits from our latest jitter and noise reducing designs. A word clock input is included as well. This allows for an external word clock to be connected, pushing our reference-class SPDIF digital output performance even higher! And, a double-isolated Ethernet LAN port significantly reduces network \/ router noise, lowering the overall system noise floor for a clearer and more pristine audio signal.However, improvements are not limited only to the N20\u2019s exceptional audio performance. The new, bold 8.8\u201d full-color front panel display illustrates the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist using a large and vibrant readout. And, practically speaking, an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS) has the ability to perform safe shutdown under an abrupt power outage preventing system and\/or disc corruption.TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONFEATURESUltra-High-Quality SPDIF and AES\/EBU Digital Audio OutputsThe N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, and Optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation with some DACs due to the superior clock and oscillator. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal out to the DAC at intervals defined by the on-board precision OCXO clock. With a clock this precise, once heard, you\u2019ll want to use it.Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long-Term Jitter ReductionOCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today, and are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate, which can lead to jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable, high-grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a compartment and kept at a constant temperature to maintain an absolutely stable flow of information.Precision DSD-to-PCM Conversion by FPGAMany DACs support DSD decoding only on their USB inputs, but not on SPDIF. Additionally, some excellent DACs still in use are non-DSD compliant altogether. That\u2019s why the Aurender N20 (and W20SE and N10) all feature this extremely high quality method of DSD-to-PCM conversion on-the-fly by FPGA. The resulting sampling frequency output is user selectable between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz, gain is adjustable 1-6dB and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz and 50Hz settings.FPGA-Based All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop SystemAn All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop system (ADPLL) incorporating Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) with OCXO clocks precisely times digital audio data transmissions and minimizes jitter to below negligible levels. The results are sonically audible with better image focus, a wider, deeper, taller soundstage presentation and an uncanny analog-like organic quality.Dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 Output with Ultra-Low Noise Power CircuitryThe N20\u2019s dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 output is designed to deliver an exceptionally transparent audio signal free of noise and jitter, and it is shielded from outside electronic interference. The improved module-type design is chassis mounted for strength and durability.Dedicated Word Clock InputThe N20 offers support for an external word clock which can, in some cases, improve upon the SPDIF audio performance in terms of musical rhythm, pace, timing, and phase coherance. If the user wants to use a separate master clock and SPDIF interconnects, a music server with master clock input is needed as well as a DAC with master clock input. The external word clock can then be used to synchronize timing between both digital devices ensuring jitter-free and time-perfect data transmission. N20 can accept word clocks with the following frequencies: Master clock: 10MHz, 12.8MHz, Word clock: 44.1KHz and 48KHz in multiples from 1 to 512. N20 supports both word clock (dCS, DACs or similar) or Master Clock (MSB DACs or similar) inputs.Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)At the heart of any music server is, essentially, a computer. Like any desktop computer, it doesn\u2019t like when its electrical connection is abruptly terminated. In the case of an AC power outage or momentary \u201cbrownout\u201d, the N20 is protected by a clever super capacitor-based power supply which allows the unit to stay powered on long enough to automatically power down. This prevents the system and hard drives from being corrupted by the loss of AC power.User-Installable Hard Drive Storage with Solid-State Caching Drive for PlaybackThe N20 provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of the type and capacity of drive that can be fitted. Each of the two trays on the rear panel can be fitted with a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 5TB HDD or a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 8TB SSD. You can choose to install one or both to accommodate your current capacity and\/or future expansion of your digital files. If installed, these internal hard drives provide storage for your music library and an internal 500GB solid-state drive is used to cache music for playback. If a selected song or album is already cached to the solid-state drive, the storage drive remains idle. This minimizes the system\u2019s overhead resources in se, and wear and tear on the hard drive. Additionally, by caching songs to the solid-state drive for playback, electrical and acoustic noise resulting from spinning disks, moving heads and motors is completely eliminated.USB HDD and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) SupportThe most streamlined use case occurs when music is stored on the Aurender\u2019s internal storage. However, the Aurender platform is also capable of seamlessly integrating content stored on a NAS, external USB HDD or thumb drive. Two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel are used to import content or playback from the attached storage device. If importing content, Aurender\u2019s SmartCopy feature can be used for bulk transfer or to selectively copy specific content onto the internal hard drives.Upsampling and Critical Listening ModeN20 offers the user the ability to upsample any lower resolution content to a user determined sampling rate. Three selections are available to choose from: 44.1\/48kHz, 88.2\/96kHz and 176.4\/192kHz. Since results vary from server-to-DAC combinations, experimentation is in order to determine the sonic results. Upsampling effects only the system\u2019s SPDIF digital outputs, not USB. Critical Listening Mode is a feature that allows the user to defeat any background tasks and circuitry that are non-essential to playing music. By defeating the display illumination and disabling other background functions, system resources are reduced for the best possible sound quality.Aurender Conductor App Packed with Convenient Features for Full-Function ControlThe Aurender Conductor App turns the iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets into a versatile user interface for all Aurender music servers. All settings and functions of the Aurender server can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and Conductor comes with extensive features to make browsing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze. Two streaming services, Qobuz and Tidal (subscription required) are embedded within the Conductor App allowing easy access to millions of high-resolution albums. Content found on streaming services can be easily integrated into your main file library, making it easy to combine and compile content in one location.MQA Core Decoder (optional in-app purchase)Aurender\u2019s MQA Core Decoder upgrade enables MQA Core or first unfold allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz. This is beneficial if using a non-MQA DAC as Core Decoding will deliver some of the MQA benefit from MQA encoded content. Additionally, MQA Core Decoder will work with DACs that perform MQA rendering which is the second stage of MQA decoding. Together, they provides full MQA decoding.Remote Internet Technical SupportSending a Remote Support Request through the Aurender App allows engineers to quickly diagnose and correct problems over the Internet. This service can correct for file, software or firmware issues and is a service provided free of charge.PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONSSilver or Black finish16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kgN20-SilverN20-BlackN20 SPECIFICATIONSCompatible Formats Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and Sample Rates SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHzUSB: 32bit \/ 384kHz, DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native \u2013 Up to DSD512User Software Aurender Conductor App for iPad, iPhone, Android Phone and TabletsSSD Caching Drive\/DRAM 1 x 500GB, M.2 MVME \/ DDR3 8GBSPDIF Output Isolation Isolated by separate transformer core. Full-Linear power supplyDSD-to-PCM Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDedicated USB Audio Output Audio Class 2.0, Module-typeDigital Audio Outputs(1 each) AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TOS-LINK, USBDigital I\/O 1 2X Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 x USB 3.0 data ports\u200bAudio Clock Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) jitter reducing clockInternal UPS Super Capacitor based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster Clock Input Word Clock or Master Clock Input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, Input impedance 75\u03a9Content Storage None. Two trays for 2.5\u201d 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs. User installedPower Consumption \u200bPlay (27W), Peak (37W), Standby (3.1W)Dimensions 16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)Weight 29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kg Aurender HQ : OBIZ Tower 1612, 126, Beolmal-ro, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14057, South KoreaAurender America Inc : 20381 Lake Forest Drive, STE B-3 , Lake Forest, California 92630, USAAurender Europe SL.: Ka\u00f1ueta Bidea 20 D, 20018 San Sebastian, SpainCopyright \u00a9 AurenderAurender is the brand name of Aurender Inc.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok","og_url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/","og_site_name":"INTEK HI-FI","article_published_time":"2022-06-14T06:00:01+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-03-18T18:40:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aurender-n20-black.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"darko","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/","name":"INTEK HI-FI","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aurender-n20-black.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aurender-n20-black.jpg","width":1280,"height":720},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/","name":"AURENDER N20 Music Server - The Absolute Sound review - INTEK HI-FI","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/aurender-n20-music-server-the-absolute-sound-review\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2022-06-14T06:00:01+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-18T18:40:07+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7"},"description":"Up to 84% in savings when you subscribe to The Absolute SoundSUBSCRIBELogo ReviewsReviews News Shows Blog Buyer\u2019s Guides Magazine Music Brands SUBSCRIBEhttps:\/\/www.theabsolutesound.com\/articles\/aurender-n20-music-server Aurender N20 Music ServerREVIEW by Stephen Scharf May 20th, 2022A A AAurender N20 Music ServerWithin the last decade, we\u2019ve seen the emergence of a market for a new type of high-end audio component: the digital-music server\/streamer. Integrating the functions of a computer, music server, network bridge, and Internet gateway, the server\/streamer provides the flexibility of listening to music files from a disc drive (spinning or solid-state) as well as from high-quality music-streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz. Aurender has a been one of the pioneers and innovators in this market for some time, and as we shall see, the N20 represents a fresh, formidable, and innovative offering. Description, Functions, FeaturesThe Aurender N20 is an \u201call-in-one\u201d digital-music server\/streamer that integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port to connect to your router in a single component that can be placed in your main audio rack. Contrast the N20 to my streaming setup, where I have servers and fiber-media converters in one room, connected by a long run of optical fiber to an Uptone EtherREGEN and SOtM network bridge in my listening room. Each of these devices requires its own linear power supply, Shunyata NR power cords, and Ethernet cables. While the setup works, it\u2019s, well, complicated. Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM\/3 (which has virtually no support for on-board music-file storage), the N20 comes with two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow you to add the amount of on-board music storage that best meets your needs and budget. For example, if you listen exclusively to music from an online streaming service, there will be no need to add internal storage. If your requirements change, on-board music-file storage can be added by installing a 2.5\u2033 hard drive in one or both of the N20\u2019s hard-drive bays. At full capacity, the N20 can provide up to 16TB of storage (with SSD drives). Another key N20 feature is its all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL), utilizing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in conjunction with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks for audio components\u2014orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than the ordinary crystal oscillators found in computers and \u201cgeneric\u201d consumer-grade networking devices. Due to the superior clock and oscillator, the N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, coaxial, and optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal to the outboard DAC, at intervals defined by the precision, on-board OCXO clock. The Aurender N20 also utilizes an Intel Quad-Core CPU to support streaming of digital file codecs, including native DSD512. All supported file types and formats are handled by this dedicated processor. Because many DACs only support DSD decoding via a USB interface, the N20 also supports DSD-to-PCM conversion on its SPDIF interface by use of an FPGA. This permits the sampling-frequency output to be selected between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz. Moreover, the gain is adjustable in 1\u20136dB steps, and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, and 50Hz settings. Additionally, the N20 supports the MQA first-unfold, allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz with an optional in-app purchase. It is also compatible with DACs that perform MQA rendering, thus providing full MQA decoding with those MQA-compatible DACs. The first unfold expands the 48kHz sample rate of the MQA file to 88.2kHz or 96kHz for conversion by your DAC at that higher frequency. This works with any DAC. For the full MQA experience, you\u2019ll need an MQA-compatible DAC that performs the second decoding step\u2014MQA rendering.The N20\u2019s SPDIF digital output employs transformer-isolated grounding that reduces the noise floor; the USB 2.0 output also benefits from Aurender\u2019s latest methodologies to reduce noise and jitter. A word-clock input allows for an external word clock to be connected, which could, depending on its quality, significantly increase SPDIF digital-output performance. The RJ45 Ethernet LAN port is also double-isolated with Ethernet isolation transformers, which reduce noise components from the network or router and lower the overall system noise floor for quieter and more accurate playback of audio signals. The N20 also has an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which can perform a safe shutdown in the event of an abrupt power outage, thereby preventing system and\/or disc corruption.Setup and UseSetting up the Aurender N20 is easy, fast, and effective: Take the unit out of its box, place it on your rack, connect power, networking, and signal cables, and power it up; flip to Page 2 of the short, printed, set-up guide that comes with the N20; use a bar-code app on your smartphone to take a screenshot of the 3-D bar code printed on that page, and the Aurender Conductor app will download to your phone; launch the Aurender Conductor app, and it will look for an Aurender on your network, and prompt you to connect to the specific model that it finds; hit the onscreen button, and\u2026that\u2019s it! You\u2019re up and running! If you have Tidal or Qobuz, you can log into your account in the Conductor app, and, presto, you\u2019re streaming content. It took me all of eight minutes from taking the N20 out of its box to streaming music to my DAC. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The Aurender N20 also provides functions, features, and flexibilities that make using it and accessing your digital music simple and easy. If you have a lot of ripped or downloaded music files, simply add a hard drive to one (or both) of the bays previously mentioned, connect your music library to the N20\u2019s USB port, and easily transfer your music. One of the other notable features about the Aurender N20 is its large, 8.8\u2033-wide LCD display. The display shows the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist in beautiful color. A nice touch is you can easily read it from across the room. Using the Aurender AppWhile many folks will use the Aurender Conductor app via a smartphone or tablet, because the new M1 Macs now support native iOS applications, I used my 2021 MacBook Pro laptop to run the iPad version of the Conductor app! This was cool as I invariably prefer using my laptop with its larger display to using a smartphone or a tablet. The larger screen on the iPad version of the Conductor app shows a set of panels that allow browsing of available ripped or streaming content on the right side of the screen. Icons at the top allow you to toggle between content on the Aurender itself or content from a streaming service. When the Aurender icon is selected (signifying that it will scan content on internal drives), there are two menu hierarchies: the top-row menu allows you to select Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Composer, Conductor, and Folder. Under this row is another list of choices which reflect the names of the folders on your internal storage (if applicable). There are filters to view recently added content, DSD, Hi-Res PCM, or \u201cstarred\u201d favorite content. There is also a Search field at the top right.When the streaming service icon (e.g., Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) is selected, there are two menu hierarchies. At the top is Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, and Search. Underneath that row that is New Release, Streaming Charts, Download Charts, Most Featured, By the Media, Editor Picks, Qobuzinissim, The Qobuz Ideal Discography, and Purchased. You can easily hide the right-side content panel by swiping right, showing more of the actual content being played on the left side of the app. At top is the Song Detail metadata with its respective content and track info. Below the Song Detail pane, are the Queue and Playlist Editor panels. The features of these two panels overlap quite a bit. The Queue panel lets you play a previously saved Playlist; Save, Edit, and Shuffle the content in the playlist; and turn Consume Mode on. The Playlist Editor lets you select a previously saved Playlist, as well as Save, Edit, and Play the current playlist. As a long-time Roon user, I found it easiest to use the Conductor app by picking an album in the right side of the display, either from the internal drive or Qobuz, and after selecting the small oval icon with three dots at the top right, simply pressing Replace Queue with the new album of choice in the dialog box that pops-up. This will remove the tracks from the previously played album in the Queue and replace them with the tracks from the just-selected album. There are some other choices in this menu that let you decide how you may want to play a given album or the tracks you\u2019ve selected, but I found just using Replace Queue to be the most \u201calbum-oriented\u201d and, for me, the most effective method. While the Conductor app isn\u2019t as intuitive as Roon\u2019s interface, it does allow you to add and \u201cmix \u2019n\u2019 match\u201d content from different sources, such as albums and\/or streaming playlists, to the tracks in the playback Queue. You can also easily create and save custom playlists, either from files on the drive or from streaming services, within the Aurender app. A particularly nice feature is if you click on the album cover and then touch on the album artwork, an icon with three lines at the lower right pops up that lets you overlay the album track list onto the album artwork. This is a nice feature if, like me, you tend to prefer to listen to an album in its entirety. Listening ImpressionsRight from the get-go, the Aurender N20 impressed me with its audio quality. Blessed with exceptional transparency, resolution, clarity, and focus, the music was presented with superb tonal accuracy, dynamic articulation, and instrumental and vocal body against a jet-black background devoid of digital hash, grit, or grain. The foundational work done by Aurender to mitigate all possible sources of grunge, phase noise, threshold jitter, etc. from servers, networks, and the component itself strips away those nuisance noise factors that can result in disengagement compared to a world-class analog source. Combine this very clean foundation with FPGA-controlled OCXO clocking, and you get an engaging, involving, natural, and organic presentation that pulls you fully into the musical experience and simply won\u2019t let go. I spent many a late night enjoying the Aurender, unable to tear myself away from the music. Have a listen to Gene Harris\u2019 beautiful piano playing on the Ray Brown Trio\u2019s wonderful Soular Energy [Analogue Productions 268], for example. His piano sounds so relaxed, so natural, effusive, and harmonious, that you just can\u2019t help getting sucked into \u201cCry Me a River.\u201d The \u201cvapor trail\u201d from the piano has outstanding timbral and temporal articulation as it decays gently into the depth and space of the studio. Brown\u2019s bass makes a beautifully textured, weighty, superbly defined counterpoint to Harris\u2019 piano. The two artists play off each other, fully resolved in their own spaces. Sublime. A standout quality of the N20 is its ability to present and portray tonal density\u2014the attribute that gives instruments and vocalists their gravitas. Whether it\u2019s the shimmering, almost dulcimer-like quality of Chris Jones\u2019 solo guitar on \u201cSet \u2019Em Up, Joe\u201d [Closer to the Music, Vol. 1, Stockfisch Records SFR357.2903.0] or the weight, body, and power of Oscar Peterson\u2019s piano and the tonal color and richness of Ben Webster\u2019s sax on Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [Verve 5214482], the N20\u2019s presentation is driven forward with powerful and refined sophistication in rhythm and timing. Staying seated in my listening chair was challenging because this wonderful recording just swings with the N20. I also spent some time listening to the N20 in Critical Listening Mode, where the main display and other ancillary functions are powered down to provide the best possible audio quality. In this mode, the N20\u2019s sonic attributes do not change in character or degree. What is improved, however, is soundstage resolution and refinement, imaging definition and placement, and the resolution of spatial and ambient cues. This was most noticeable on recordings made in real spaces, e.g., churches or symphony halls, rather than in the \u201cspaces\u201d created by a recording engineer in a studio session. Using Critical Listening Mode for J. S. Bach\u2019s Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor [Bach: Violin Concertos, Philips 420 700-2], played by the incomparable Arthur Grumiaux and Les Soloistes Romands, was a veritable delight. Grumiaux\u2019s impeccable tone, attack, and pacing, his exquisite phrasing and control of dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?) infused this wonderful recording with energy, joy, and exuberance. With Critical Listening Mode on, I heard spatial, imaging, and soundstage cues that I had never heard before. It is a tour de force performance, and it sounded gorgeous on the N20. Kenny Dorham\u2019s legendary 1956 hard-bop album, \u2019Round Midnight at the Caf\u00e9 Bohemia [Blue Note BLP 1524] was presented through the N20 with the wonderful intimacy and nuance that only come from live recordings made late at night in a jazz club, when the band is fully warmed up and really swinging. The stick and brushwork of Arthur Edgehill on cymbals was rendered with a fine, delicate, brassy sheen; Dorham\u2019s trumpet was warm, sweet, and inviting, never biting. The Aurender N20\u2019s fine rendering of space, atmosphere, and instrumental subtleties put me in the club with the audience. What a wonderful recording.Summing up, I loved the musical experiences conjured up the by the Aurender N20. It presented the music with very high accuracy and precision, complete with the requisite muscle and horsepower to provide superb rendition of dynamic contrasts and shadings, but could temper and punctuate those dynamics with the delicate articulation of instruments and voices. The overall presentation was exceptionally uncolored and tonally accurate, yet rich with natural timbral warmth, three-dimensional weight and body, and fine gradations of instrumental or vocal textures. All this goodness was presented with clean, quiet, and very black backgrounds, refined, stable, and precise imaging, expansive soundstaging, and most importantly, nuanced, refined, and relaxed naturalness. Bringing it home, the Aurender N20 is one of a handful of the best-designed, best-integrated, best-engineered, and, most importantly, best-sounding audio components I have ever had the pleasure to use and experience. As such, it constitutes an innovative new benchmark in digital music server\/streamers. Highest possible recommendation\u2014the Aurender N20 is a veritable home run.Specs & PricingDigital outputs: AES\/EBU, coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TosLink, USBCompatible formats: Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and sample rates: SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz; USB: 32bit\/384kHz; DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native DSD: Up to DSD512Control app: Aurender Conductor iPad and iPhone app, Android phone and tabletSSD caching drive\/DRAM: 1x 500GB, M.2 MVME\/DDR3 8GBDSD-to-PCM: Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDigital I\/O: 2x Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2x USB 3.0 data portsInternal UPS: Super Capacitor-based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster clock input: Word clock or master clock input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, input impedance 75\u03a9Integral storage: None (two trays for 2.5\u2033 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs, user installed)Dimensions: 16.9\u2033 x 4.4\u2033 x 14.0\u2033Weight: 29.8 lbs.Price: $12,000Associated EquipmentDigital sources: Aurender N20 server streamer, Mac Mini Roon Core Server, Sonore OpticalModule fiber-media converter, Uptone Audio EtherREGEN Ethernet switch, Uptone Audio LPS-1.2 linear power supply.D\/A Converter: Lampizator Baltic 3 and Holo Audio May KTE R2RAnalog source: Michell Gyro SE, SME V, Bob\u2019s Devices Cinemag step-up transformerPhonostage: E.A.R. 324Preamplifier: First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 SE MkIII-SI active preamp with Paramount Special Edition UpgradePower amplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART150SIntegrated Amplifier: Constellation InspirationLoudspeakers: Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2, Dynaudio Contour S3.4 with Esotar 2 tweeters, REL R-305 subwooferCables: Shunyata Research Sigma XC and NR V2 (Everest & amplifiers), Alpha NR V2 (preamp and phonostage), Shunyata Omega QR-s (DAC), V14D Digital power cables (for 100% digital components), Shunyata Omega and Sigma interconnects, Omega Ethernet cable, Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and Shunyata V2 VTX-Ag speaker cables, Shunyata DF-SS cable elevators.A\/C power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 and SR-Z1 wall outlet. Tags:AURENDERDIGITALMUSIC SERVERNETWORKMost PopularThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All TimeThe Ten Most Significant Amplifiers of All Timeby TAS Staff Apr 01st, 2011Check out our selections for loudspeakers2021 Editors\u2019 Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $10,000 \u2013 $20,000by TAS Staff Mar 30th, 2021top_50_202050 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audioby TAS Staff Dec 14th, 2020rega_p6Rega P6 Turntable, RB330 Tonearm, Neo PSU, and Ania Moving-Coil Cartridgeby Wayne Garcia May 06th, 2021TopBACK TO TOPBy Stephen ScharfI\u2019ve worked as a molecular biologist for my entire professional career. As one of the inventors of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), I worked in human molecular genetics and developing molecular-diagnostic and DNA forensic testsMore articles from this editorCat IconREAD PREVIOUSPrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated AmplifierREAD NEXTPop Quiz (Everyone Wins): What Songs Give You Chills?Read Next From ReviewSEE ALLPiega Ace 30REVIEWPiega Ace 30Variety is the hallmark of a thriving ecosystem. High-end audio [\u2026]by Drew Kalbach May 31st, 2022M&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferREVIEWM&K Sound S150 Monitor and X10 SubwooferAllow me to set the scene: You\u2019re a young audiophile, [\u2026]by Neil Gader May 31st, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000REVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Phonostages $2000-$6000Sutherland Engineering 20\/20 Mk2 $2200 (linear power supply option, $450) [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 24th, 2022Editors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpREVIEWEditors\u2019 Choice: Integrated Amplifiers $3000 and UpRogue Audio Cronus Magnum MKIII $3295 Rogue\u2019s 90Wpc Cronus Magnum [\u2026]by TAS Staff May 23rd, 2022Sign Up To Our NewsletterName*Your NameFirstEmailYour EmailConsent* I have read and agree to the terms and conditions*BrandsThe Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation.Martin Logan Paradigmhttps:\/\/images.theabsolutesound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logo-white.pngThe Absolute Sound is the world\u2019s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.SUBSCRIBEMAGAZINEAbout usShopAdvertiseBack IssuesCONNECTFacebookInstagramYoutubeContact via EmailJOIN OUR NEWSLETTEREmailEnter Your Email HereTerms and conditions Privacy Community GuidelinesCopyright \u00a9 2022 The Absolute Sound. All rights reserved. Aurender - The Future of SoundAudiophile Premium Audio Support News & Review Where To BuyN20 High Definition Caching Music Server \/ Streamer2 x Slot for 2.5inch HDD or SSD Drive (user installed)USB, AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC, Optical Outputs and Word Clock InputN20The N20 caching music server \/ streamer provides the fidelity, features and flexibility the digital audiophile will find attractive and meaningful. A significant advantage is that the N20 contains two empty storage bays. This allows you to customize storage to best meet your budget and intended use. For example, these days many music lovers listen exclusively to streaming content. Therefore, no internal storage is necessary (although it can be easily added at any time if desired). Have a modestly sized music collection? Install an inexpensive 2TB HDD. Own a massive music library? Opt-in for 2 SSDs or HDDs. Fully loaded, the N20 is capable of accommodating an incredible 16TB of solid-state storage!Within the Aurender range of models, the N20 truly represents the best cost \/ performance ratio in terms of audio performance, features and functionally. Many performance enhancing design techniques, circuit topologies and upgraded component parts have been employed to push its advancement of digital audio reproduction.An Intel Quad Core CPU is used to support the most demanding digital file codecs including Native DSD512 transmission. All file types and formats are handled by this processor with exceptional ease and aplomb. Our latest generation SPDIF digital output suite employs transformer isolated grounding for the lowest possible noise floor, and our USB Audio Class 2.0 output benefits from our latest jitter and noise reducing designs. A word clock input is included as well. This allows for an external word clock to be connected, pushing our reference-class SPDIF digital output performance even higher! And, a double-isolated Ethernet LAN port significantly reduces network \/ router noise, lowering the overall system noise floor for a clearer and more pristine audio signal.However, improvements are not limited only to the N20\u2019s exceptional audio performance. The new, bold 8.8\u201d full-color front panel display illustrates the album cover artwork as well as the album name and artist using a large and vibrant readout. And, practically speaking, an internal uninterrupted power supply (UPS) has the ability to perform safe shutdown under an abrupt power outage preventing system and\/or disc corruption.TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONFEATURESUltra-High-Quality SPDIF and AES\/EBU Digital Audio OutputsThe N20\u2019s AES\/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, and Optical outputs provide a superior musical presentation with some DACs due to the superior clock and oscillator. As opposed to asynchronous USB connections, where the DAC pulls packets of information from the player, N20\u2019s SPDIF audio outputs push the signal out to the DAC at intervals defined by the on-board precision OCXO clock. With a clock this precise, once heard, you\u2019ll want to use it.Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long-Term Jitter ReductionOCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today, and are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate, which can lead to jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable, high-grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a compartment and kept at a constant temperature to maintain an absolutely stable flow of information.Precision DSD-to-PCM Conversion by FPGAMany DACs support DSD decoding only on their USB inputs, but not on SPDIF. Additionally, some excellent DACs still in use are non-DSD compliant altogether. That\u2019s why the Aurender N20 (and W20SE and N10) all feature this extremely high quality method of DSD-to-PCM conversion on-the-fly by FPGA. The resulting sampling frequency output is user selectable between 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz, gain is adjustable 1-6dB and a low-pass filter accommodates 24Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz and 50Hz settings.FPGA-Based All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop SystemAn All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop system (ADPLL) incorporating Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) with OCXO clocks precisely times digital audio data transmissions and minimizes jitter to below negligible levels. The results are sonically audible with better image focus, a wider, deeper, taller soundstage presentation and an uncanny analog-like organic quality.Dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 Output with Ultra-Low Noise Power CircuitryThe N20\u2019s dedicated USB Audio Class 2.0 output is designed to deliver an exceptionally transparent audio signal free of noise and jitter, and it is shielded from outside electronic interference. The improved module-type design is chassis mounted for strength and durability.Dedicated Word Clock InputThe N20 offers support for an external word clock which can, in some cases, improve upon the SPDIF audio performance in terms of musical rhythm, pace, timing, and phase coherance. If the user wants to use a separate master clock and SPDIF interconnects, a music server with master clock input is needed as well as a DAC with master clock input. The external word clock can then be used to synchronize timing between both digital devices ensuring jitter-free and time-perfect data transmission. N20 can accept word clocks with the following frequencies: Master clock: 10MHz, 12.8MHz, Word clock: 44.1KHz and 48KHz in multiples from 1 to 512. N20 supports both word clock (dCS, DACs or similar) or Master Clock (MSB DACs or similar) inputs.Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)At the heart of any music server is, essentially, a computer. Like any desktop computer, it doesn\u2019t like when its electrical connection is abruptly terminated. In the case of an AC power outage or momentary \u201cbrownout\u201d, the N20 is protected by a clever super capacitor-based power supply which allows the unit to stay powered on long enough to automatically power down. This prevents the system and hard drives from being corrupted by the loss of AC power.User-Installable Hard Drive Storage with Solid-State Caching Drive for PlaybackThe N20 provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of the type and capacity of drive that can be fitted. Each of the two trays on the rear panel can be fitted with a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 5TB HDD or a 1TB\/2TB\/4TB or 8TB SSD. You can choose to install one or both to accommodate your current capacity and\/or future expansion of your digital files. If installed, these internal hard drives provide storage for your music library and an internal 500GB solid-state drive is used to cache music for playback. If a selected song or album is already cached to the solid-state drive, the storage drive remains idle. This minimizes the system\u2019s overhead resources in se, and wear and tear on the hard drive. Additionally, by caching songs to the solid-state drive for playback, electrical and acoustic noise resulting from spinning disks, moving heads and motors is completely eliminated.USB HDD and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) SupportThe most streamlined use case occurs when music is stored on the Aurender\u2019s internal storage. However, the Aurender platform is also capable of seamlessly integrating content stored on a NAS, external USB HDD or thumb drive. Two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel are used to import content or playback from the attached storage device. If importing content, Aurender\u2019s SmartCopy feature can be used for bulk transfer or to selectively copy specific content onto the internal hard drives.Upsampling and Critical Listening ModeN20 offers the user the ability to upsample any lower resolution content to a user determined sampling rate. Three selections are available to choose from: 44.1\/48kHz, 88.2\/96kHz and 176.4\/192kHz. Since results vary from server-to-DAC combinations, experimentation is in order to determine the sonic results. Upsampling effects only the system\u2019s SPDIF digital outputs, not USB. Critical Listening Mode is a feature that allows the user to defeat any background tasks and circuitry that are non-essential to playing music. By defeating the display illumination and disabling other background functions, system resources are reduced for the best possible sound quality.Aurender Conductor App Packed with Convenient Features for Full-Function ControlThe Aurender Conductor App turns the iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets into a versatile user interface for all Aurender music servers. All settings and functions of the Aurender server can be easily accessed through the Settings menu, and Conductor comes with extensive features to make browsing and playing high resolution music collections a breeze. Two streaming services, Qobuz and Tidal (subscription required) are embedded within the Conductor App allowing easy access to millions of high-resolution albums. Content found on streaming services can be easily integrated into your main file library, making it easy to combine and compile content in one location.MQA Core Decoder (optional in-app purchase)Aurender\u2019s MQA Core Decoder upgrade enables MQA Core or first unfold allowing playback of MQA files at up to 88.2kHz or 96kHz. This is beneficial if using a non-MQA DAC as Core Decoding will deliver some of the MQA benefit from MQA encoded content. Additionally, MQA Core Decoder will work with DACs that perform MQA rendering which is the second stage of MQA decoding. Together, they provides full MQA decoding.Remote Internet Technical SupportSending a Remote Support Request through the Aurender App allows engineers to quickly diagnose and correct problems over the Internet. This service can correct for file, software or firmware issues and is a service provided free of charge.PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONSSilver or Black finish16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kgN20-SilverN20-BlackN20 SPECIFICATIONSCompatible Formats Native DSD, DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APEBit and Sample Rates SPDIF: Up to 24-bit, 192kHzUSB: 32bit \/ 384kHz, DSD: Up to DSD256 (DoP), Native \u2013 Up to DSD512User Software Aurender Conductor App for iPad, iPhone, Android Phone and TabletsSSD Caching Drive\/DRAM 1 x 500GB, M.2 MVME \/ DDR3 8GBSPDIF Output Isolation Isolated by separate transformer core. Full-Linear power supplyDSD-to-PCM Precision DSD-to-PCM conversion for SPDIF outputsDedicated USB Audio Output Audio Class 2.0, Module-typeDigital Audio Outputs(1 each) AES\/EBU, Coaxial, BNC (75\u03a9), TOS-LINK, USBDigital I\/O 1 2X Isolated Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 x USB 3.0 data ports\u200bAudio Clock Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) jitter reducing clockInternal UPS Super Capacitor based uninterrupted power supply for safe shutdownMaster Clock Input Word Clock or Master Clock Input (BNC) 10MHz, 12.8MHz (44.1kHz and 48kHz multiples from 1 to 512)\u200b, Input impedance 75\u03a9Content Storage None. Two trays for 2.5\u201d 15mm\/7mm HDDs\/SSDs. User installedPower Consumption \u200bPlay (27W), Peak (37W), Standby (3.1W)Dimensions 16.9 x 3.9 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 98 x 353 mm (unit only)16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch \/ 430 x 111 x 353 mm (unit with foot)Weight 29.8 lbs \/ 13.5 kg Aurender HQ : OBIZ Tower 1612, 126, Beolmal-ro, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14057, South KoreaAurender America Inc : 20381 Lake Forest Drive, STE B-3 , Lake Forest, California 92630, USAAurender Europe SL.: Ka\u00f1ueta Bidea 20 D, 20018 San Sebastian, SpainCopyright \u00a9 AurenderAurender is the brand name of Aurender Inc.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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