-=Aurender=-

[amabrok]

I've been looking for a DAC-less streamer for some time and ideally want support for Qobuz and iRadio as well as streaming from a NAS and/or USB HDD all controlled from a single control point app on iPad and iPod/iPhone - obviously with excellent SQ.  The Auralic Aries is the only one that meets all these criteria but is very 'plasticky' and many have reported that SQ is really no better than a Mac. (Actually the NAD M50 also does all these things but has an integrated optical drive which I definitely don't want.)

Anyway, my local dealer has recently taken up an Aurender franchise and several people on here have posts positive reports so I picked up an N100 last week. The person who borrowed it before me had posted some extremely positive reports about SQ on the Naim forum but had had issues with connecting to his NAS and had also experienced gaps in playback when streaming DSD files so I decided to try the simple approach and used a USB HDD. I should add that me dealer lent me a Chord Sarum TA USB cable.

It was immediately apparent that the SQ of the Aurender was excellent. It has a very smooth, detailed sound with no digital glare and no graininess - much better than iTunes/Mac/AIR or my Naim NDX. I really enjoyed listening to it though, as I posted elsewhere, perhaps the sound is a bit too smooth (though not as bland as some Linn systems that I've heard).  I tried the TIDAL integration and it worked perfectly - the SQ was pretty good too though maybe a bit brighter than Mac/Qobuz.  I still need to explore Tidal's classical catalogue - last time I looked it was nowhere near as good as Qobuz's.  I had no dropouts when using Tidal which is much better than when I last tried in October.

I did have some technical issues - multiple 1-2 second gaps in playback when using one of the two USB ports (maybe be a fault with the port) and playback stopped a couple of times for no apparent reason.  Perhaps the N100H with internal 2TB HDD would be a better choice?

Anyway, from my point of view these are the pros and cons of the N100:

Pros:
- Sound quality is excellent (with Chord Sarum TA USB) it's the best digital source that I have heard.
- smallish footprint
- excellent build quality
- TIDAL integration works well and sounds good
- quiet - LPS doesnt buzz
- Conductor app seems robust but I was only using folder view so didn't try all the features

Cons:
- is it technically robust? An N100H or X100L with integrated HDD is probably less hassle? 
- no iPod/iPhone app
- no Qobuz integration
- USB output only (though I've been surprised by SQ through USB so perhaps this isn't really a Con)
- no iRadio
- UK price is nearly £1000 more than US and I don't like being ripped off

So, in conclusion, I really like it but it's not perfect - but then again what is ?  Having heard what's possible with the N100 I will definitely change my source.  I need to think hard about whether to go for a N100H or X100L instead or whether to try a Melco which has had very positive reviews on here.

Excellent summary. FWIW, i vouch for the X100 as it is a one solution for storage and playback and I have never faced the issue of 1-2 sec gap you faced with the N100