Aurender A20
The Aurender A20 delivers a full-bodied, high-resolution digital presentation with exceptional poise across genres. Doug Schroeder found its streaming performance remarkably accomplished, while the dual-mono DAC, analog preamp and headphone stage create a reference-grade one-box source. Its ultra-quiet, machined-aluminum construction and flexible local-library storage complete a sophisticated centerpiece for serious systems.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
87/100
Pros
Exceptionally resolved, warm and engaging streaming sound, with strong vocal fullness and genre-spanning precision.
Comprehensive one-box architecture combines streamer, server, DAC, preamplifier and headphone capability.
Ultra-quiet, beautifully machined chassis with robust connectors and a logical rear-panel layout.
User-installable storage offers a practical alternative to paying for large fixed internal capacity.
Cons
A substantial investment compared with separate streamer/server alternatives.
No CD ripping capability or included music-library storage; buyers must install their own drives if needed.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers portray the A20 as an exceptionally accomplished digital source, combining high resolution with a full, warm and natural presentation rather than an overtly “digital” character. It is especially suited to listeners wanting a reference-level streamer/DAC/preamp that remains composed and engaging across genres.
Overall Sound
96/100
Dagogo calls its streaming the best digital source performance the reviewer had used, reporting digital sound quality beyond prior Redbook-based setups. High-resolution Qobuz playback brought greater vocal fullness, warmth and resolution, while the A20 was said to handle any genre with precision and approachability. AVComfort likewise characterizes it as unapologetically high-end in sound.
Digital Signal Integrity
93/100
The review coverage highlights substantial attention to noise control: shielding between functional sections, separate power provision, music caching and a galvanically isolated USB audio output. Aurender’s OCXO clocking, double-isolated network connection and supercapacitor-backed shutdown protection further support the A20’s carefully managed digital delivery.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
The A20 is a genuinely broad one-box source component, combining streaming, server capability, DAC, preamplifier functions and a headphone output. Its interface offers useful playback choices, while its connection set favors a system built around its own high-quality analog outputs or dedicated USB digital output.
Streaming Software
86/100
Aurender Conductor provides access to playback settings including selectable upsampling, which AVComfort found worthwhile to explore. Dagogo also notes the useful Critical Listening Mode, which dims the display for less visual distraction. The supplied reviews offer limited detail on long-term app stability, library management and streaming-service navigation.
Features Connectivity
92/100
The A20 integrates streamer, server, dual-mono DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplification in one chassis, with balanced XLR and RCA analog outputs plus coaxial and optical digital inputs. It supports PCM to 768 kHz/32-bit and DSD512, and offers a dedicated galvanically isolated USB audio output; user-installable storage bays add flexibility for local libraries.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
Dagogo praises the gorgeously machined, ultra-quiet cabinet, robust connectors and logical, uncluttered rear-panel layout. AVComfort describes a heavy aluminum enclosure with internal sections separated by aluminum plates, intended to reduce both external interference and interaction among the unit’s own circuits.
Value for Money
87/100
At roughly $15,000 in Dagogo’s comparison and within the supplied $16,500-$19,400 market range, the A20 is a substantial investment. Dagogo notes that separate streamer/server alternatives can cost far less, but AVComfort argues that buyers who do not need the A30’s disc-copying, extra headphone outputs or large included storage can obtain flagship-like Aurender sound for less money with the A20.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- 16.9″W x 14″D x 4.4″H (3.9 w/o feet)
- Weight
- 31.3 lb
- Material
- Machined Aluminum Chassis
- Front Panel Display
- 8.8″ 1920 x 480 Wide IPS Color LCD
- Power Supply
- Full Linear, 1x50W (CPU), 2x25W (DAC L&R), 1x35W (FPGA & Headphone)
- CPU
- Intel Low Power Quad Core
- RAM
- 8GB
- Library Storage Capacity
- 2X 2.5″ Compartments (User-Installable Storage)
- SSD for System & Cache
- 480GB NVME
- Data USB Ports
- 2X USB 3.0 (Rear)
- Software Suite
- Aurender Conductor
- Ethernet Port
- Double-Isolated Gigabit LAN
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Yes (Super Capacitors)
- Power Consumption
- Play (47W), Peak (80W), Standby (6W)
- CD Ripping Capability
- N/A
- Analog Outputs
- XLR (Balanced), RCA (Unbalanced)
- DAC Chipset
- AKM 4497 – Dual-Mono
- Audio Word Clock
- OCXO
- Analog Outputs Supported Format
- Up to 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512 (Native)
- Digital Outputs
- USB Audio (Dedicated)
- USB Output Supported Format
- Up to 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512 (Native), DSD256 (DoP)
- SPDIF & AES/EBU Output Supported Format
- N/A
- Digital Inputs
- 1X Coax RCA, 1X Coax BNC, 2X Optical/Toslink
- Headphone Section
- 1 x 1/4″ (6.5mm) Unbalanced
- Master Clock Input
- N/A
- MQA Support
- MQA Full-Decoder On Board
- Compatible Formats
- DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE and others
- DSD-to-PCM Conversion
- N/A
Manufacturer's Description — Aurender
Signature Analog Music Server
MQA Full-Decoder DAC / Headphone Amplifier
Signature sound with Aurender's best DAC built-in.
Signature Analog Output Network Player with Aurender's best built-in DAC, dedicated Headphone Section, User-Installable Storage Options, XLR and RCA Analog Outputs
Redefining the relationship between Digital Audio and Music
A20 is derived from A30 and delivers the very same reference-level audio performance, but without the CD ripping and library management functionality. A20 also replaces A30's factory-fitted 10TB HDD with two user accessible bays to install one or two 2.5" HDDs or SSDs for the music storage capacity needed or desired.
Employing the same renowned dual-mono AKM 4497 chipset as that found in model A30, you can expect nothing but the best in sound quality. A20 is ideal for the user seeking exceptional audio performance from files and streams without the fuss or complexity of separate components.
A20's scaled back design makes no compromise where audio performance is concerned. Music lovers who have no need for CD ripping functionality and want a high-end DAC without adding more boxes will find A20 to be a stellar foundation to any system.
Key Features
Aurender's Best DAC
Aurender designed the A20 for those seeking the simplicity of an all-in-one unit without sacrificing a high level of resolution, transparency, and the reproduction of inner detail. Built around an integrated dual-mono AKM4497 DAC module, A20 delivers MQA full-decoding to get the best performance out of MQA content, as well as every other major digital audio format.
Linear Power Supply with Integrated UPS
A fully-linear power supply architecture with extensive shielding prevents noise from being delivered to sensitive DACs. Four discrete toroidal transformers power the server system, digital outputs and dual-mono DAC respectively. A "super capacitor" based UPS system stabilizes A20 in the event of an abrupt loss of power.
FPGA-Based Precision Clock
A20'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.
Variable Output XLR & RCA Outputs
A20's high quality Balanced (XLR) and Unbalanced (RCA) outputs guarantee compatibility with any preamp, integrated amp, or even power amps! A20's DAC-level lossless volume control enables it to function as a preamp when connected directly to a power amplifier.
Dedicated Headphone Section
In addition to being a stellar Analog Output Network Player for loudspeaker systems, A20 also features a 1/4″ headphone output for quiet times.
Upsampling DAC Option
A20 is capable of upsampling non-DSD files up to 705.6/768kHz to the analog outputs. Or leave upsampling off (default setting) for an untouched bitstream.
User-Installable Storage Options
A20 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.
Digital Connectivity
Four digital inputs are provided: one RCA Coax, one BNC Coax and two Optical. These inputs allow 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 A20.
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.
Support for All Major Audio Codecs & Formats
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!
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Aurender A20
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- 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)
and 142 more verified dealers