Aurender A200
Aurender A200 delivers a neutral, finely detailed sound with realistic tone, agile dynamics and an absence of digital glare. The Audio Beatnik also highlights its rock-solid Conductor control and SSD-cached consistency across streaming and local files. Add user-installable storage, a substantial linear supply and polished aluminium build, and this is a remarkably complete digital front end.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
93/100
Features Usability
94/100
Value for Money
81/100
Pros
Neutral, highly resolved playback combines realistic tonal colour, agile dynamics and clean, glare-free treble.
Conductor app is notably fast, intuitive and stable, with no crashes reported during two months of use.
Two rear user-installable drive bays make local-library expansion exceptionally straightforward.
Premium aluminium construction and substantial three-transformer linear power supply inspire confidence.
Cons
Soundstage width and overt 3D imaging trail the Auralic Vega G1 in direct comparison.
Premium price is harder to reconcile for buyers expecting included internal music storage, as the former 2TB drive was removed.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers portray the A200 as a highly resolved but natural-sounding digital source, combining tonal accuracy, rhythmic assurance and strong emotional communication. Its clearest limitation is relative rather than fundamental: one comparison found less lateral soundstage width and overt 3D imaging than an Auralic Vega G1, even as the Aurender delivered greater inward detail.
Overall Sound
94/100
The Audio Beatnik heard neutral, balanced playback free of artificially emphasized frequencies, with exceptional inner detail, realistic tonal colour, pristine clarity and agile dynamics. It also praised the A200's rhythmic momentum, coherence and emotionally engaging presentation; AVComfort similarly described a mature, composed yet capable-of-speed sound with very high detail.
Digital Signal Integrity
94/100
The A200 uses an FPGA-based low-jitter clock generator and caches playback to its internal SSD, while its isolated network connection and dedicated USB output support a carefully managed digital path. In listening, The Audio Beatnik reported no smearing, overlap, glare or harshness, and found consistently strong results from local drives, Tidal and Qobuz; AVComfort likewise reported no apparent jitter-related issues.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The A200 is especially strong as an appliance-like music server and streamer, with fast operation, a polished control app and straightforward local-storage expansion. Its connectivity is purposeful rather than indiscriminate, covering network streaming, external-DAC use, attached storage and digital inputs, although it does not offer the broad array of specialist digital outputs found on some dedicated transports.
Streaming Software
96/100
Aurender Conductor is a standout. Stereo Magazine found network searching and day-to-day functions quick and seamless, while The Audio Beatnik called it the best streaming/controller app it had used, citing its logical layout, polish, speed and zero crashes across two months. SoundStage Solo also describes the iOS and Android app as excellent and notes its extensive settings access.
Features Connectivity
91/100
Two easily accessible user-installable drive bays make local-library expansion notably practical, and the A200 supports USB storage, double-isolated Gigabit Ethernet, USB audio output, coaxial and optical digital inputs, plus analogue RCA output. Reviewers also note that these inputs allow it to serve as a DAC for sources such as a television or games console, adding useful system flexibility.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
93/100
The enclosure receives consistent praise: Stereo Magazine calls it solid, thick-walled and precisely made, while SoundStage Solo describes heavy-gauge aluminium panels and immaculate assembly. Review coverage also identifies a substantial linear supply with three toroidal transformers, and AVComfort praises the close panel fit, tidy hardware and machined finish.
Value for Money
81/100
At roughly $6,950-$7,500, the A200 is a premium-priced all-in-one streamer, server and DAC. The Audio Beatnik specifically questioned paying more after the previous 2TB internal drive was removed, though it also praised the replacement user-installable bays as exceptionally easy to use; the other reviews do not directly assess whether the asking price is justified.
Reviews & Sources
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- 13.8″W x 14″D x 3.8″H (3.3″ w/o Feet)
- Weight
- 21.2 lb
- Material
- Machined Aluminum Chassis
- Front Panel Display
- 6.9″ 1280 x 480 Wide IPS Color LCD
- Power Supply
- Full Linear, 1x50W (CPU), 1x25W (DAC), 1x25W (FPGA)
- CPU
- Intel Low Power Quad Core
- RAM
- 8GB
- Library Storage Capacity
- 2X 2.5″ Compartments (User-Installable Storage)
- SSD for System & Cache
- 240GB 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 (26W), Peak (30W), Standby (6.5W)
- CD Ripping Capability
- N/A
- Analog Outputs
- RCA (Unbalanced)
- DAC Chipset
- AKM 4490 Single-Stereo
- Audio Word Clock
- TCXO
- Analog Outputs Supported Format
- Up to 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512 (Native)
- Digital Outputs
- USB Audio (Dedicated)
- USB Output Supported Format
- 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512 (Native), DSD256 (DoP)
- SPDIF & AES/EBU Output Supported Format
- N/A
- Digital Inputs
- 1X Coax RCA, 1X Optical/Toslink
- Headphone Section
- N/A
- 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
Essential Analog Music Server
MQA Full-Decoder DAC
2 x Slot for 2.5″ HDD or SSD Drive (user-installable)
Variable-Output Single-Ended RCA Analog Outputs
USB Digital Output / Coaxial and Optical Digital Inputs
Love your music the “Aurender Way,” at a real-world price.
High Performance Analog Output Network Player with MQA Full-Decoder DAC and RCA outputs
Functional Finesse
replaces model A100 as Aurender’s most compact and economical Analog Output Network Player. Offering superlative audio performance and the renowned Aurender user experience, 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, 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.
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.
Key Features
MQA Full-Decoder DAC On Board
Aurender designed the 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. Built around an integrated AKM4490DAC module, 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. Discrete toroidal transformers power the server system, digital outputs and DAC respectively. A “super capacitor” based UPS system stabilizes in the event of an abrupt loss of power.
FPGA-Based Precision Clock
’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 RCA Outputs
’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.
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 .
User-Installable Storage Options
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.
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
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Aurender A200
- 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