Aurender N200
The Aurender N200 brings full-bodied dynamics, exceptional definition and a poised, neutral presentation to serious digital playback. HiFi News found its timing, detail and ambience compelling across streaming and local files, while the 240GB cache, isolated network input and tool-free dual-drive bays make this a refined, resilient music-server centerpiece for an external DAC.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
89/100
Pros
Delivers fast, richly weighted sound with impressive dynamics, fine detail, convincing ambience and well-defined instruments.
User-installable dual 2.5-inch drive bays are exceptionally quick and simple to fit without tools.
Cached playback, isolated Ethernet and low-noise engineering support smooth, glitch-free playback from local storage and streaming services.
Aurender Conductor is regarded as a convenient, logical and easy-to-use platform for library management and streaming.
Cons
No built-in DAC, so it requires an external DAC or an amplifier with digital-to-analogue conversion.
Not Roon-compatible, limiting its appeal for listeners committed to the Roon ecosystem.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers find the N200 notably transparent, dynamically convincing and musically involving rather than merely analytical. Its controlled, neutral presentation is credited with strong image depth, instrumental definition and a full-bodied sense of scale across varied material.
Overall Sound
95/100
HiFi News praised its "speed and definition," powerful dynamics, convincing concert-hall ambience and a "full-fat" sound, while describing complex music as breathtakingly resolved. AVComfort likewise heard a refined neutrality with fine textures, strong dynamics, clear layering and substantial soundstage depth.
Digital Signal Integrity
94/100
The N200 uses a dedicated 240GB cache that allows source drives to idle during playback, a double-isolated Ethernet connection, low-noise power provision and a TCXO clock. Reviewers specifically report glitch-free playback from local, external and streaming sources, and hear the engineering approach translating into highly stable, detailed delivery.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The N200 is designed as a focused, DAC-less network transport, with flexible local-storage expansion and well-regarded control software. It supports the major streaming essentials and high-resolution USB output, though Roon compatibility is absent and physical digital outputs are limited to USB and coaxial S/PDIF.
Streaming Software
92/100
AVComfort calls Aurender Conductor one of the better solutions for organising a library and using streaming services, describing it as convenient, logical and easy to understand. HiFi News also found the N200 rapidly became a delight to use, with cache-based operation supporting smooth playback from local storage, Qobuz and Tidal.
Features Connectivity
89/100
Dedicated USB audio and coaxial S/PDIF outputs cover common DAC connections, while dual-isolated Gigabit Ethernet and rear USB ports support networked and external storage. Two internal 2.5-inch drive bays make local-library expansion straightforward, but the absence of Roon support and more comprehensive output options limits flexibility for some systems.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
HiFi News highlights the high-quality machined-aluminium enclosure, large clear display and thoughtfully specified low-noise linear power supply. The user-accessible storage bays are also described as simple to install, adding practical substance to the premium construction.
Value for Money
89/100
At approximately £6,700 or $6,750–$6,950, the N200 is a substantial investment, but HiFi News calls its performance and sensible user-defined storage approach highly attractive. AVComfort presents it as a reference-quality performer in its class, supporting the case for its premium positioning rather than portraying it as a budget proposition.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- 13″W x 14″D x 3.8″H (3.3″H w/o Feet)
- Weight
- 19.4 lb
- Material
- Machined Aluminum Chassis
- Front Panel Display
- 6.9″ 1280 x 480 Wide IPS Color LCD
- Power Supply
- 2x35W
- 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 (15W), Peak (35W), Standby (5.1W)
- CD Ripping Capability
- N/A
- Analog Outputs
- N/A
- DAC Chipset
- N/A
- Audio Word Clock
- TCXO
- Analog Outputs Supported Format
- N/A
- Digital Outputs
- USB Audio (Dedicated), RCA Coax SPDIF (basic)
- USB Output Supported Format
- PCM up to 768kHz, DoP up to DSD256, up to DSD 512 Native for USB output
- SPDIF & AES/EBU Output Supported Format
- PCM: Up to 32-bit / 192 kHz; DSD: Up to DSD64 via DoP
- Digital Inputs
- N/A
- Headphone Section
- N/A
- Master Clock Input
- N/A
- MQA Support
- MQA Core-Decoder Upgrade Available
- Compatible Formats
- DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE and others
- DSD-to-PCM Conversion
- Not Supported
Manufacturer's Description — Aurender
Music Server
Signature Music Server
Slots
2 x Slots for 2.5″ HDD or SSD Drive (user installable)
Outputs
USB and Coaxial Digital Outputs
Rack Appeal. Step up your streaming game.
High-Performance Digital Output Network Transport with USB and Coaxial digital outputs, handsome color screen, and 2 x 2.5″ Slots for user-installable library storage
Product Description
N200 represents a milestone in terms of exceptional sound quality, unique feature set, and high value. In order to make N200 accessible to as many music lovers as possible, we have omitted the expensive OCXO-controlled digital audio board in favor of a simple, dedicated USB audio output.
N200 sports all the recent Aurender technological innovations including cache-based playback, a low power Intel quad-core processor, our latest generation modular USB Audio output, double isolated gigabit ethernet port, and super-capacitor based uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for safe shut downs. N200 is capable of handling PCM up to 384kHz and DSD content up to an amazing DSD512!
A 6.9” full-color IPS LCD display renders album artwork and track information in gorgeous detail. We’ve also expanded the internal music library storage capacity by providing two user-installable SSD/HDD trays to suit your needs. And, if you’re 100% streaming, no storage drives need to be installed.
N200 delivers audio performance very close to the pinnacle Aurender experience, with only compromises that are irrelevant except in the context of the most extreme high-end systems.
Key Features
Flagship DNA, Repurposed
The same technological advances that make N20, N30SA, and W20SE so special are also found on N200. But, by omitting the OCXO clock controlled SPDIF & AES/EBU digital outputs, we are able to deliver stellar USB audio performance in a smaller, more economical package.
Audio Grade Linear Power Supply with UPS
Clean power is the single most important factor in enjoying your favorite music with the highest fidelity from a digital source component. N200 features a fully linear power supply block for a low noise floor, allowing the nuances and detail of your music to sing out. Super Capacitor UPS system protects your Aurender in case of abrupt loss of power.
Aurender’s Dedicated USB Audio Output
USB is historically prone to transferring noise between devices. That’s why 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.
User-Installable Storage Options
N200 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.
6.9″ Front Panel Display
An impressive 6.9″ full-color IPS LCD display reproduces the album art, artist name and song title in utter elegance.
Coax RCA Audio Output
In addition to N200’s exceptional USB Audio Output, a coax RCA output is also included for your convenience to connect to a legacy DAC or second system.
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 N200
- 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