Melco N1Z vs Aurender N10 vs CAD CAT

[PhilP]

Comparison of Aurender N10, CAD CAT server, TotalDac d1-Server, Auralic Aries, Audiophile Vortex Box - thread on Head-Fi forum.  Its a few months old but worth skimming through.  

http://www.head-fi.org/t/787020/review-c...vortex-box

For those with short attention spans, here's the reviewer's conclusion:

As good as the TotalDac d1-Server and Aurender N10 are, the CAT is better. Not night and day better but better in important ways.  The presentation is both smooth and effortless yet incisive at the same time.  It embodies the tonal richness of the TotalDac d1-Server but outdoes the TotalDac in terms of tonal clarity.  There is a more vivid sense of presence on vocals.  It matches the soundstage of the N10 and improves on the N10s ability to render delicate details and subtle nuances.  The bass on the CAT is fuller, tighter and better defined.  The treble is well extended, maybe even a little more airy than the N10 but both excel here.  It also lacks the slight digital edge present in the treble of the N10 that was not obvious except under direct comparison.  Tracks that I previously considered bright now seem more tolerable.