23-Apr-2016, 08:13
Well I am off to the most splendid Oxford Audio today to listen to the above. At the moment I have to say I am not sure what to expect with this one. My thinking is these are all very expensive highly optimised ways of delivering 1's and 0's to a Devialet, and so I am expecting them all to be good with very marginal differences in sound quality. Or maybe not? The Aurender is unique here in utilising AES/EBU connection, supposedly the best sounding input on a Devialet, and taking the 'USB' options, the Melco is more of a bespoke, purpose built device, compared to the CAD CAT which is in part a Windows 8 PC, albeit a PC very finely tuned to the purpose of music delivery, itself containing bespoke parts, carefully considered external PSU's etc.
Before we start, I can declare my 'expectation bias'. On reputation, I think the N1Z will edge ahead on sound quality, despite it's lack of AES/EBU. I think the Aurender may actually offer a slightly different quality to it's sound thanks to it's AES/EBU, whether or not I like this difference remains to be seen. (or heard) One final aspect of my pre audition expectation bias is that I am wondering if I will be able to discern any difference between these products at all, surely they should all be close to perfect, but I am also aware that whenever I go to auditions like this I very often end up being utterly staggered by the outcome. So in conclusion, I am expecting almost zero difference between these beasts, together with being very surprised by the difference. If any phycologists out there can suss out what my actual expectation is, please let me know!
Before we start, I can declare my 'expectation bias'. On reputation, I think the N1Z will edge ahead on sound quality, despite it's lack of AES/EBU. I think the Aurender may actually offer a slightly different quality to it's sound thanks to it's AES/EBU, whether or not I like this difference remains to be seen. (or heard) One final aspect of my pre audition expectation bias is that I am wondering if I will be able to discern any difference between these products at all, surely they should all be close to perfect, but I am also aware that whenever I go to auditions like this I very often end up being utterly staggered by the outcome. So in conclusion, I am expecting almost zero difference between these beasts, together with being very surprised by the difference. If any phycologists out there can suss out what my actual expectation is, please let me know!
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
