null

Aurender A200 Caching Music Server Review: The Best of Its Kind | Moon Audio

A200 Caching Network Server

$6,300.00
In Stock

High Performance Analog Output Network Player with MQA DAC and RCA outputs More details

Aurender A200 Caching Music Server Review: The Best of Its Kind | Moon Audio

  • Questions?Questions?
  • Authorized Dealer - Trusted Since 2003Authorized Dealer
  • Roon Tested30 Day Returns
  • Free ShippingFree Shipping

Love your Music the "Aurender Way," at a real-world price. The A200 music streamer and network server delivers unrivaled performance and replaces the A100 as Aurender's most compact and economical Analog Output Network Player. The A200 offers the renowned Aurender user experience - a premium streaming application that gives you everything you need for your music. The A200 is an ideal choice for the music lover building a high-performance yet affordable digital audio system. The A200 is meant for the audiophile who has an extensive local digital music library, with 2 drive slots, you can install the largest capacity 2.5-inch drives needed for an incredible amount of local storage for your library. You can even connect external storage for additional options to expand your local music library. With analog outs and coax and optical digital ins, The Aurender A200 is the new high-end music streamer and network server to beat at this price.

By virtue of its new all-new low power Intel Quad-core processor, low-noise linear power supply, MQA Full-Decoder DAC, and adaptive storage system, the A200 brings a higher fidelity to your hi-res digital files and streams. The AKM4490 chipset boasts flagship-level performance and sonic fidelity. The handsome machined aluminum chassis sports a vibrant 6.9" color LCD display that that is easy to use and just as much part of the experience as the application. The minimalist design goes with just about every high-fidelity music system, and its the overall experience that sets the Aurender music servers apart from the competition.

The A200 incorporates all the latest generation Aurender innovations, including a single-stereo implementation of the remarkable AKM4490 MQA Full-Decoder DAC, coaxial and Toslink digital inputs, x2 isolated gigabit ethernet ports, and a Super-Capacitor based uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Two compartments for user-installable storage drives afford the user with massive internal library capacity. The Aurender A200 sets the new standard for what premium listening playback machines music lovers can bring home.

FEATURES

  • Upgraded Replacement of A100 with Intel N4200 Quad CPU
  • Stereo AKM 4490 Full-Decode MQA DAC
  • PCM up to 768kHz/32bit. DSD up to 256
  • Single ended Analog Outputs / USB Digital Output
  • Full-Color 6.9″ 1280 x 480 Wide IPS LCD display
  • Storage (user installed) 2 x 2.5” Tray for SSD or HDD
  • Increased SSD Cache to 240GB / System Memory to 8GB
  • 2X Isolated Gigabit LAN Port
  • SPDIF Optical x 1 and Coaxial x 1 Digital Inputs
  • Linear Power supply with Super Capacitor based UPS


A200 front image

MQA Full-Decoder DAC

Built around an integrated AKM4490 DAC module, the A200 delivers MQA full-decoding to get the best performance out of MQA content, as well as every other major digital audio format. Aurender designed the A200 for those seeking the simplicity and economy of an all-in-one unit without sacrificing a high level of resolution, transparency, and the reproduction of inner detail. The AKM4490 is an extremely resolute chipset, providing an amazing level of clarity and transparency, along with a natural signature, your music will finally sound the way it is supposed to

Variable Output RCA Outputs

The A200's high-quality single-ended RCA outputs fed by DAC-level lossless volume control enables it to function as a preamp when connected directly to a power amplifier for your speaker setup. This is a popular option for larger systems if implementing loudspeakers. Use the A200 as your source and the rest is music to your ears! Want to do away with the Power Amplifier then using the A200 with a set of Powered speakers really simplifies things. It can now be a desktop system for your computer if your computer offers a Toslink or Coax Digital output.

Functional Finesse

A200 replaces model A100 as Aurender's most compact and economical Analog Output Network Player. Offering superlative audio performance and the renowned Aurender user experience, A200 is an ideal choice for the music lover building a high-performance yet economical digital audio system. By virtue of its all-new low power Intel quad-core processor, low noise linear power supply, MQA Full-Decoder DAC, and adaptive storage system, A200 brings a higher fidelity to your hi-res digital files and streams. The handsome machined aluminum chassis sports a 6.9” color LCD display that oozes elegance and simplicity.

A200 incorporates all the latest generation Aurender innovations, including a single-stereo implementation of the remarkable AKM4490 MQA Full-Decoder DAC, coaxial and Toslink digital inputs, 2X isolated gigabit ethernet port and a Super-Capacitor based uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Two compartments for user-installable storage drives afford the user with massive internal library capacity.

Digital Connectivity

Coaxial and Optical digital inputs are included for the connection of additional digital sources such as a CD transport, TV, etc. Note that the A200 does not include a CD transport internally. Any device connected through a digital input will take full advantage of the superior sound quality of the AKM4490 DAC within the A200.

User-Installable Storage Options

The A200 is designed with two trays for user-installable storage. Need a lot of capacity? Load up to 2 8TB SSDs! Not into storing files and prefer to stream? Leave them empty, and don't pay for storage capacity you won't use. Note that the drive bays are for 2.5 inch drives, via SATA connection. Standard 3.5 inch internal HDDs are not compatible with the A200.

Linear Power Supply with Integrated UPS

A fully-linear power supply architechure with extensive shielding prevents noise from being delivered to sensitive DACs. Discrete toroidal transformers power the server system, digital outputs, and DAC respectively. A "super capacitor" based UPS system stabilizes the A200 in the event of an abrupt loss of power.

FPGA-Based Precision Clock

The A200's precision clock generation system incorporates a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with sub 100fs jitter-reducing clock generator to precisely time digital audio data transmissions and minimize jitter to below negligible levels.

Hallmarks of Aurender

Hardware <> Software Integration:

A closed system. Aurender playback and control software is developed in the same building as its hardware. Superior integration means that Aurender's software engineers are able to specifically optimize playback performance of the extremely robust hardware at their disposal.

Caching Playback Engine:

Other systems buffer. Aurenders cache. Every Aurender model features a massive solid state memory from which all playback occurs. This important feature helps to minimize system resource requirements for enhanced audio performance and stability.

Dedicated USB Audio Output:

USB is prone to transferring noise between devices. Aurender's dedicated USB Audio output is physically and electrically isolated from the noise-generating CPU board to minimize noise in the sensitive audio interconnect.

Low-Power, High-Efficiency CPU:

A powerful CPU is essential to making any computer run smoothly and quickly. However, with more power comes more noise. Aurender's low-power high-efficiency Intel CPUs have enough headroom to run the machine while minimizing the amount of current drawn in order to keep the noise floor as low as possible.

Elegant Front Panel Display:

Easy to read high resolution LCD display. Dynamic, elegant, understated.

Double Isolated LAN Port:

Two layers of transformer based isolation to filter noise out of Ethernet connection.

Local Library Storage Capacity:

Every Aurender contains either massive built-in internal storage capacity, *or* at least one slot for super easy user-installable storage options. Enjoy localized media storage, and ditch the cumbersome NAS or HDD.

Integrated Streaming Services:

The entire world of streaming music content is available to you within one great app. Enjoy integrated access to TIDAL, Qobuz, and Internet Radio. Plus Spotify Connect and AirPlay.

Critical Listening Mode:

Enable Critical Listening Mode to defeat the front panel screen, buttons, and all background computing activity that is not essential for playing music. CLM offers an even quieter, more transparent audio presentation.

USB HDD and NAS Connectivity:

The best user experience occurs when your music content is stored on Aurender’s internal storage. However, USB 3.0 data ports and NAS share connectivity are included in order to play or import content stored on a NAS, external USB hard drive, or thumb drive.

Remote Internet Technical Support:

In case you should encounter any difficulty or problems, Aurender's dedicated support team may log into your system remotely to diagnose and fix any issues. Aurender takes support extremely seriously, and they're here to help!


PRODUCT REVIEWS

MOON AUDIO REVIEW & VIDEO