Aurender N200 High-performance Caching Music Server and Streamer

The new Aurender N200 is a milestone in Aurender Inc’s offering, it is a music server and streamer that combines exceptional audio performance with a unique feature set.

With the new Aurender N200 High-performance Caching Music Server and Streamer, the specialist Aurender Inc. has taken on quite a task. The manufacturer even speaks of a milestone for the company, because the new Aurender N200 combines a music server and a streaming client with exceptional audio performance and a unique range of functions with an outstanding price-performance ratio.

Aurender Inc. is confident that the new Aurender N200 will be one of the most attractive and ultimately most sought-after models in the product range.

Aurender N200 – New processor for more performance

First and foremost, the new Aurender N200 is said to be characterised by a new processor, which is naturally the central component of a music server as well as a streaming client and is directly decisive for the sound quality.

The processor is an Intel Low Power Quad-Core processor, without going into detail. The most important thing here, as just mentioned, is the higher performance, but with lower power consumption at the same time.

The signal processing is based on a highly precise main clock, whereby the manufacturer refers to a TCXO-based precision jitter reduction clock. The processor has 8 GB of system memory and a 240 GB NVMe SSD for the operating system and as a cache for audio signal processing.

However, the new Aurender N200 is only equipped with this SSD ex works, which is not designed as data storage for audio data. Two slots are available, however, which the user can upgrade himself with appropriate data media. Here, 2.5 inch HDD or SSD can be installed, Aurender Inc. wants to offer the customer full flexibility in this regard.

Connection diversity

The Aurender N200 has a network interface, of course, whereby this is a double-isoated Gigabit Ethernet interface that should ensure smooth data transfer.

The new Aurender N200 has two USB 3.0 ports for connecting external data media. Furthermore, it has a USB port that is designed for USB Audio Class 2.0, thus allowing the connection to corresponding D/A converters. In this regard, the manufacturer emphasises that a noise-free power circuitry was chosen to guarantee the highest possible signal integrity free of noise and thus the best possible sound quality. As an alternative to the USB port, this solution also offers a coaxial S/PDIF interface.

A streaming bridge

The new Aurender N200 is not a conventional streaming client, but rather a streaming bridge. The new Aurender N200 does not have an integrated D/A converter, but outputs its data to D/A converters via the aforementioned interfaces, USB and coaxial S/PDIF.

It supports data in Linear PCM format with up to 32 bits and 384 kHz as well as DSD up to DSD512.

The manufacturer lists DSD (DSF,DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A and APE as data formats.

Linear Power Supply

Another key feature of the new Aurender N200 is its low-noise linear power supply, which provides a clean and stable power supply for the CPU and digital audio section. According to the manufacturer, linear power supplies are known for their ability to deliver a wide dynamic range, deep and powerful low frequency response and a wide and deep sound image.

Control via Aurender Conductor App

To control all functions of the Aurender N200, the Aurender Conductor App for Apple iOS and Google Android is available, as the manufacturer is known for. This app not only allows you to configure the Aurender N200, but also to play back your own content intuitively. The TIDAL and Qobuz services are also accessible via this app.

MQA Core Decoder

As an optional in-app purchase, Aurender Inc. offers an MQA Core Decoder. This enables so-called First Unfold, which means that MQA files can be played back at up to 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz even via a non-MQA-certified D/A converter. The MQA Core Decode Upgrade can also deliver the First Unfold to MQA-certified D/A converters that require this so that the DAC can perform the final rendering, according to Aurender Inc.

Generous display, elegant housing

The Aurender N200 measures no more than 330 x 96 x 355 mm and weighs 9 kg. The casing is extremely elegant and solid, made of aluminium. This in turn allows the customer to choose between silver and black anodised finish.

The front is dominated by a very generous 6.9-inch LC colour display that shows all relevant information and cover artwork perfectly.

Four buttons plus a main switch are also available on the front, so that at least a basic operation directly on the unit is also possible.

The new Aurender N200 should be available in specialised shops within the next few days. The recommended retail price is € 6,290.

Getting to the point

The new Aurender N200 is a milestone in the development of music servers and streamers, says the specialist Aurender Inc. about its latest solution. In a compact form, it is supposed to be the central interface for a high-res audio streaming system, whereby it is up to the customer whether he realises this as a streaming bridge alone or as a direct music server plus streaming bridge. In any case, one should have the certainty that the signal processing is carried out with the highest precision.