MacBook Air vs an audiophile player Aurender N150

[@robbydouglas2]

I’m a huge audiophile. I tried a streamer in this price range (not mentioning any brands). First off, I believe everything said in this video. However, the sound quality and detail of instruments is not worth the price of $4k. So I’m sticking to my MacBook as my digital music provider. I have a high end Tube Dac. Also, my MacBook is a few years old, and I only use it for Apple Music. So no other windows opened up or other noise problems. I have a newer one for everything else.

[@StanThePigeon]

The system you’re using is imperative to justify a high end DAC or streamer. I’m using a Wilson audio speaker and it’s extremely revealing. Magic’s speakers would likely be even more revealing. Congrats on it now be worth it. It’s kind of a curse, i guess

[@marcopignone9386]

I compared an older Macbook Air running Audirvana to a Pi2AES streamer running Volumio... not a direct comparison of devices since they were running different software, but the pi2AES was obviously much better. I think a lot of people have gotten into streaming over the last couple years, so these are important reviews IMO.

[@Eugene737]

Hey Eugene, didn’t come across this product until I saw your video. Thanks. Have you gotten a chance to compare this n150 to the n200? I also appreciate you connecting it up to a the Dac in the parasound

[@ampli-fi]

I haven't had a chance to compare them directly, but shortly before the N150, I used the N200. I can say that the difference with the N200 is quite noticeable. The N200 sound more classy even with the Parasound's DAC. The feeling is that the N200 is more scrupulous about the smallest things, it can render more relief soundscapes. And the N200 is unbeatable with its large display. :)

[@kevinfaulkner1095]

13:37 What a brilliant review, you are very talented.

[@carminedesanto6746]

I just found your video! 👍👍☕️👍🍕 Thanks for the musical recommendation Carbon is spectacular 👍 Take care .

[@ampli-fi]

Thanks for watching mate!

[@Rayms-mc7md]

Would you recommend to turn this unit "off" when not use? Or leave it "on" always? ThanksI

[@ampli-fi]

I never turn it off. The device itself goes into sleep mode, that's enough, I think.

[@Rayms-mc7md]

Is this N150 will be fine connecting to Mcintosh c2700? Thanks

[@ampli-fi]

Yes, sure, it will be fine. You only need a quality USB-A to USB-B cable.

[@howardskeivys4184]

Computers are notoriously electronically noisy when it comes to audiophile grade music reproduction. But, there is a lot you can do to clean up that signal. Using an Apple computing device is ideal, especially in conjunction with Apple Music. Close all applications other than Apple music and bitperfect, if you have it installed. Connect to a premium DAC using a USBC to USBV short interconnect. This elimiminates the power return feed. Turn off your Apple devices display or screen. Now you will have drastically reduced if not eliminated any electronic noise and I think that repeating that comparison, adhering to the above advice, will very pleasantly surprised you.

[@ampli-fi]

True

[@steverino5054]

Wish these music players were not so grossly overpriced. It's just a little computer with some tweaks. For cheapest aurender you can buy 3 MacBook airs.

[@erics.4113]

Small production runs. Niche product. High R&D costs, distributor and dealer cuts makes the cost go up quickly. Sucks, because I want one 😂

[@3811eric]

You can never replace Aurender (any model) with your Apple products as audio streaming transport! Comparing Apple products to an audiophile brand like Aurender is irrelevant. Apple is NOT an audiophile audio specialty company but just an electronic company. In my Hi-Fi setup, 3 iPads are the only Apple products used as display remotes.

[@trubadyr99]

Thank you for introducing this streamer to us. It must be a genuine pleasure to use this substantial visually pleasing device. But is it a user-friendly device as well? How easy is upgrading its original HDD or an SSD that this device uses for storage when it is eventually full of music files? After all: this streamer is a computer running Linux OS, which is very user-friendly nowadays. Is it as easy as unplugging the old drive and inserting the new SSD, hooking the old drive to the Aurender N150 with a USB dongle, and adding all files stored there to a more recent, roomy drive? Did you try this? How did it go? Also: is it possible to purchase this streamer with no HD/SSD installed? Can its user install his own new drive in this streamer later if he needs to himself? After all: streamers these days use online streaming platforms and store music on their external USB drives or NAS boxes, so an end-user might not want to use a storage drive.

[@zaakchalal]

Interesting subject and test… good job.

[@Patriot6669]

Thank you!

[@davidsmith790]

I owned a Aurender W20SE and a Mac Studio. The Mac Studio blew away the much more expensive W20SE for. sound quality . Save your money and buy a Mac Studio .

[@TheLeicam81]

Wow! I’m shocked to hear that. May I ask what equipment you are combining with the W20SE / MAC Studio?

[@davidsmith790]

@@TheLeicam81 Playback Designs MPD-8 DAC, Jeff Rowland 555 amp, Focal Kanta 2

[@EddyTeetree]

Im no fan of Apple (just more members of the tribe who got rich from taxpayer subs then cheated them) but if your running the Mac thru an external dac its that dac your hearing. You need to run it from the headphone out into a power amplifier to hear what the Mac dac sounds like which I do to a 1950s tube amp and it sounds fing incredible and apparently the newer M2 is even better. Another caveat with the Mac is do not have it on charger (which you did not) the noise goes straight thru. Glad your happy with Aurender though.

[@csabakereszturi945]

You missed the whole point here with the setup.

[@provocateur-in-chief]

This is not the correct way to test audio gear, it should be a double blind test to remove bias and placebo.

[@johnb6677]

$4K and no Wifi support. No thanks.

[@Burevestnik9M730]

Placebo. If you don't believe, send the setup to Amir and he will measure the DAC output with his Audio Precision. You'll see that there is no difference.

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

LOL ASR are all clowns. You're one too if you believe measurements are all that matters.

[@Burevestnik9M730]

@@YouSoundButtHurt ahhhahaahhha aaqhhhahahhhhahahahhhaha

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

@@Burevestnik9M730 clown lmao

[@Burevestnik9M730]

@@YouSoundButtHurt ahahhahaahahhahhhaahhha hhhahahhahahaaaaahhhaah ahhahhhhhaha

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

@@Burevestnik9M730 Still a clown.

[@amorylazlo9579]

Why do you specify the gender of the computer owner? Do you consider that women are second rate music consumers?

[@ampli-fi]

Never thought about it %) but no I don't think that women are second rate music consumers if only for the reason that I have to listen that I love too cheesy music from my beloved wife :)

[@snomofilms]

Seriously?

[@auggysimcity]

@@ampli-fi with the aurender you can put it on mute..... where as 🗣🗣👰‍♀