lmf22

First, congratulations on getting a new SUV! Sadly, new cars don't have analog input anymore. I just use Bluetooth on my Lexus ES. It's "good enough", considering all the noises while I'm driving, and I'm paying more attention to the road than the music.

The Aurender is unable to stream Apple Music like Tidal or Qobuz. The only way to do it is via AirPlay and stream it via your phone. Unfortunately, that means you won't be able to do lossless. To turn on streaming, go to the Conductor app settings and tap Streaming. Under "Other streaming services" tap "Stream to Aurender" and turn on "Enable service." Your phone should now be able to see the Aurender. Select the Aurender on the phone, like how you would select a Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

An update to my original post, where I was not getting any sound from the Matrix when using it with my Aurender N100C. Aurender did a remote session few days ago and fixed the problem! Their team found that the Matrix has “two volume controller interface and one of that was set to 0%.” They reset it back to 100% and everything is working now. They will implement this fix in future Aurender software updates.

Yes, the Aurender shows the name of the device: Async (768 Khz) X-SPDIF 2 when nothing is playing; Async 44.1kHz X-SPDIF 2 when playing 44.1kHz files. I tried rebooting, and also did a power cycle of the whole system in this sequence: Shutdown and turned off Aurender via switch in the back. Turned off DAC via switch in the back. Turned on DAC and waited it to bootup fully (about 1 minute). Turned on Aurender.

I tried 44.1kHz, 96kHz, and 192kHz. The DAC would display the correct sample rate, but still no sound. Weird thing is that the Matrix worked fine with the Aurender for two days, and when connected to the computer (computer--USB--Matrix--HDMI--DAC) it works fine at all sample rates too.

I already sent a remote support request to Aurender, but thought I should post here too in case someone had a similar problem and know a solution. I'm using the X-SPDIF 2 with my Aurender N100C, and have a weird problem. It worked for two days and then suddenly stopped working. The Aurender plays the files and the DAC shows a signal lock, but there's no sound. This is my setup: Aurender N100C → USB → Matrix → I2S → PS Audio DirectStream Jr. DAC The DAC would lock onto the sampling rate correctly, but always shows “24 bit” even if I’m playing 16 bit files. I know the Aurender is working because direct connection from Aurender to DAC via USB works fine. I know the Matrix is working because connecting from the computer works fine (i.e., Computer-- USB-- Matrix-- I2S-- DAC works fine). I tested the following configurations: Aurender → USB → DirectStream Jr. [works] Aurender → Coax → DirectStream Jr. [works] Aurender → USB → Matrix → I2S → DirectStream Jr. [doesn’t work] Aurender → USB → Matrix → Coax → DirectStream Jr. [doesn’t work] Aurender → USB → Matrix → Coax → Burson Conductor 3 DAC/amp [doesn’t work] Computer → USB → Matrix → I2S–> DirectStream Jr. [works] One interesting thing happened though with this setup: Computer → USB → Matrix with iFi iPower X 9V → I2S–> DirectStream Jr. [doesn’t work] But…unplugged iFi iPower X, the LED on Matrix turns off and on, and then music starts playing again. I wasn't able to repeat this behavior, with or without the iFi iPower X. I tried 1) restarting the Aurender, 2) shutdown Aurender wait 30 seconds and turn on, 3) factory reset Aurender. So I think I’ve narrowed down to some kind of compatibility issue with the Aurender and Matrix. Maybe the Matrix isn't locking onto the signal from the Aurender. But I don’t understand why it worked for two days and then suddenly stops working. I also don’t know how the iFi iPower X fits into all this.

I updated the firmware on my DirectStream Junior the day it came out. I think it made improvements in all areas of the sound. The DirectStream is an excellent DAC, and I'm glad they kept updating it.

Does anyone know if there's a way to make the N100C's power light dimmer when it's on standby? Currently, the power light dims only when the Front Display setting in the Conductor app is set to Display Off during playback. But when on the unit goes into standby, the power light brightens up again. The first photo shows the dim light when music is playing (display off). The second photo shows the bright light when the unit is in standby.

I think random album order would be a great feature too! I want to be surprised and rediscover albums I haven't listened to in a while. As a workaround, I've been using an app on my phone that randomly generates a letter. Then I go to the artists or album titles that start with that letter.

Ah I see. Thank you! I did some experimenting with large files (96-192kHz 24bit AIFF) versus CD-quality files (44.1kHz 16bit AIFF). Seems like the transfer speed drops to zero more often with the large files. Maybe the hard drive is catching up (i.e., slower write speed).

I just got the N100C. I'm trying to transfer music from my desktop computer. I noticed that every few files, the transfer speed would drop to zero and then starts again after a few seconds. The transfer speeds are also slow. The average is about 200 Mbps; max about 600-700 Mbps but rarely. Is this normal? I tried using Windows Explorer and SyncBack (it mirrors contents from desktop to the N100C). My router is Netgear AC1750 (R6700v3). It's capable of 1Gbps on Ethernet. All connections are Ethernet using Cat7 cables. I'm using Windows 10 Home. I also emailed Aurender support, but thought I should try here too, hoping someone would know what's going on or tell me that's normal. I had the X100L before, but it has been years since I've tried to transfer my entire music library, so I don't remember if this is normal.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I will definitely try it out, but I have a feeling the Aurender via USB will beat my unoptimized desktop computer via Ethernet.

I'm getting a PS Audio Directstream Junior (DSJ) soon and wondering if anyone compared the sound quality of the Aurender X100L USB output versus streaming via the PS Audio DSJ with the Bridge II network card? That is: Aurender X100L --> USB --> PS Audio DSJ vs. Everyday desktop computer with JRiver 25 (not optimized for audio) --> Ethernet --> PS Audio DSJ (Cables are Nordost Heimdall 2 USB and Nordost Heimdall 2 Ethernet).

Great to find people talking about photography here. I've been interested in photography since high school, but never serious about it until now. Currently my audio system is at a point where I'm very satisfied with it, and would take a large amount of money to upgrade, so I went back to photography. Several months ago I bought a Sony A7II. Several weeks after that, I got the Sony/Zeiss FE 55mm f1.8. Now I'm experimenting with manual lenses, starting with the Minolta MC Rokkor PF 55mm f1.7. I'm saving up for a Zeiss Loxia 35mm f2.0. Fun!

That's great! I have the BDA-2, and would very much like to know how the BDA-3 sounds.