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Aurender A15
Signature Analog Music Server
MQA Full-Decoder DAC
High-End sound, lifestyle convenience
Ultra High-Performance Analog Output Network Player with Dual-Mono MQA Full-Decoder DAC, RCA + Balanced XLR Analog Outputs
Elegant Simplicity
The revolutionary A10 changed the paradigm for Aurender by introducing our first music server/streamer with a built-in DAC. A15 is the upgraded replacement of A10, featuring many new features and audible improvements.
And, while it's a true high performance all-in-one Digital Source Component, it is priced to be highly competitive with comparable separate DAC & Transport setups. A15 is performance-packed with balanced analog outputs and a resolving dual-mono AKM4490 digital-to-analog convertor with MQA full-decoder technology. As with all of Aurender's "A" series, A15 is designed to take full advantage of the vast selection of MQA encoded music available today. It also has two rear panel bays which can accommodate user-installable 2.5″ HDDs or SSDs of up to 8TB each to store the largest of music libraries. An elegant front panel display shows album cover art along with artist name and song title in living color.
A15 is a great choice for the devoted audiophile replacing an aging CD player, laptop or just for wanting the inherent simplicity of a great sounding one-box source component.
Key Features
Dual Mono MQA Full-Decoder DAC
At the heart of A15 is a dual-mono configuration of the exquisite AKM4490 DAC chipset. With a resolved, smooth sonic signature that is free of etched "digital" harshness, A15 is a source of musical purity in any system. In addition to delivering the highest possible audio performance that the MQA process offers, A15's built-in DAC also decodes PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, and DSD up to DSD512.
Linear Power Supply with Integrated UPS
In sensitive digital source components, the power supply plays a critical role in the overall sonic presentation. A15's fully-linear power supply structure incorporates four audiophile-grade toroidal transformers, along with advanced shielding and isolation, to prevent noise from being introduced to the signal path at this stage.
User-Installable Storage Options
A15 is built 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.
FPGA-Based Precision Clock
A high-precision clock generation system incorporating Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) runs A15's DAC section. An extremely accurate sub 100fs clock generator precisely times the digital audio data transmission to reduce jitter well below negligible levels.
Variable Output XLR & RCA Outputs
A15's high quality Balanced (XLR) and Unbalanced (RCA) outputs guarantee compatibility with any preamp, integrated amp, or even power amps! DAC-level lossless volume control enables A15 to function as a preamp when connected directly to a power amplifier.
Digital Connectivity
Coaxial and Optical digital inputs are included for the connection of additional digital sources such as a CD transport, TV, etc. Any device connected this way will take full advantage of the superior sound quality of the DAC within the A15.
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. We take support extremely seriously, and we're here to help!
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
84/100
The smooth, detailed Aurender A15 delivers a polished one-box digital source with a slightly warm, highly resolving presentation. Barry Jones praises its big dynamics, vanishingly quiet background, and realistic vocal and instrument textures, while the elegant chassis and easy setup add to the appeal. It’s a premium streamer/DAC that sounds as refined as it looks.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers a smooth, detailed, slightly warm sound with strong dynamics and highly realistic vocals and instruments.
Produces a vanishingly quiet background that helps uncover subtle textures and fine inner detail.
Offers a polished, premium build with an impressive display and elegant machined-aluminum chassis.
Sets up quickly and supports major streaming services, making daily use straightforward and flexible.
&
Cons
Carries a very high asking price, so its appeal is strongest for buyers comfortable with premium-class spending.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently describe the A15 as smooth, detailed, and highly engaging, with a slightly warm presentation that helps ambience and realism. It is praised for big dynamics, strong focus, subtle texture, and convincing instrument and vocal portrayal, with one reviewer noting it could reveal details that had previously stayed hidden.
Overall Sound
94/100
Barry Jones describes the A15 as "big, bold, oozing detail" with "great dynamics," while also calling it "super smooth" and able to unveil subtle textures hidden in the music. He repeatedly points to convincing realism in voices, piano, saxophone, percussion, and soundstage focus, with the unit sounding slightly warm rather than hard or sterile.
Digital Signal Integrity
91/100
The reviews point to serious transport engineering, including double-isolated gigabit Ethernet, dual transformers in the network port, discrete linear supplies for the DAC boards, and SSD caching to remove noise from spinning storage. The result is described as a vanishingly quiet background with improved noise filtration and stable, well-resolved playback.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The Aurender Conductor setup is described as quick and easy, with one reviewer getting the unit up and running in only a few seconds. Software and control are also helped by broad streaming support, and the product is positioned as a capable network streamer rather than a bare-bones transport.
Streaming Software
91/100
Reviewers specifically praise the ease of getting the A15 running quickly, and note support for Roon plus major services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, and Internet Radio. That combination suggests a polished and flexible day-to-day experience rather than a fiddly or limited one.
Features Connectivity
86/100
The A15 offers double-isolated gigabit Ethernet, USB storage inputs, and a dedicated USB audio output, along with optical and coax inputs and analog outputs for integrated use. The feature set is strong and practical, though the reviews focus more on usability and streaming access than on exotic connection variety.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
Reviewers call the A15 beautifully crafted, precision-made, and stunningly beautiful, with elegant heat sinks and a substantial 12kg chassis. They also emphasize the serious internal engineering and clean, purposeful construction, though there is not much discussion of long-term durability beyond the strong first impression.
Value for Money
84/100
The asking price is high, and the review language does not frame it as a bargain or exceptional value. The positive tone suggests the performance and finish help justify the cost for buyers in this class, but there is no strong evidence of standout value versus alternatives.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Aurender A15
- The ASOC Gallery of Fine Audio — in-store — Stratford, Ontario, Canada (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A 10 Audio Room 4 Music — in-store — Amsterdam Nieuw-West, Noord-Holland, Netherlands (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- All That Audio — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 140 more verified dealers