Anyone Using An Aurender W20?

[Cincy2]

Yesterday I hooked up the W20 to the Vivaldi to permit the Master Clock to synch the unit. The Aurender website has a diagram of how the set up should look. Note that they presume you will upsample all files to DSD (which was true for me anyway). This is important as the clock to the DAC (Group 2) is set for 44.1kHz and is not switched as far as I can tell if you want to change the output resolution.

Diagram: USB1Upsample to DSD:

http://www.aurender.com/page/manual-..._systeminstall


A written summary:

The Master clock has three outputs. Group 1 to W20, Group 1 to Upsampler and Group 2 (Set to 44.1mHz) to DAC. Via the supplied dongle, there is a USB connection to the W20 USB input

The Upsampler has a USB input from the W20 (formerly asynchronous USB), and a clock input from Group 1. The USB input was set to W or synch mode. The Upsampler outputs dual AES to the DAC

The DAC gets dual AES (1 and 2) from the Upsampler (AES 1 and 2 is enabled, AES 3 and 4 is disabled). The DAC also gets a Group 2 clock input on W1 from the clock. The DAC balanced outputs go to my mono blocks.

One note that I didn't see anywhere in the write-up. There is a menu selection in the W20 Settings where you must turn on Clock Synch. Once I enable this capability, the clock switched inputs efficiently when the resolution of the input files changed from 44.1 to 96kHz.

I didn't get a chance last night to do any critical listening. As I stated in a previous post, the asynchronous USB input created a very black background and tight imaging improving my previous set up significantly. I'd be happy right there without any other improvements. I'll post again in a few days.

Cincy

[Cincy2]

I spent about an hour and a half with my reference tracks last night with the full system setup as previously described. The W20 with the asynchronous input to my upsampler had a dramatic effect on noise level and contrast between background and images. The system with a time synched input was different (and better by my definition) but the change was more subtle. It showed itself in tracks with solo saxophone or clarinet where the image "density" and bloom was enhanced. On well recorded piano tracks the percussive sound of the notes has a faster rise time i.e. the impact of hammer on string was sharper and more natural (we have a very good german Bluthner piano so I am very sensitive to how a recorded track sounds). Cymbals shimmered a bit more delicately.

In combination with all the other improvements in the system I have made in the last six months (Vivaldi software / hardware 2.0 upgrade, D'Agostino M400's, Magico M3's, Rel G1Mk2's and a room set up by Jim Smith, the W20 in its time synched form adds a layer satisfaction beyond what I thought was possible in a stereo system. I'm done...for a while anyway.

Cincy

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by Cincy2

I spent about an hour and a half with my reference tracks last night with the full system setup as previously described. The W20 with the asynchronous input to my upsampler had a dramatic effect on noise level and contrast between background and images. The system with a time synched input was different (and better by my definition) but the change was more subtle. It showed itself in tracks with solo saxophone or clarinet where the image "density" and bloom was enhanced. On well recorded piano tracks the percussive sound of the notes has a faster rise time i.e. the impact of hammer on string was sharper and more natural (we have a very good german Bluthner piano so I am very sensitive to how a recorded track sounds). Cymbals shimmered a bit more delicately.

In combination with all the other improvements in the system I have made in the last six months (Vivaldi software / hardware 2.0 upgrade, D'Agostino M400's, Magico M3's, Rel G1Mk2's and a room set up by Jim Smith, the W20 in its time synched form adds a layer satisfaction beyond what I thought was possible in a stereo system. I'm done...for a while anyway.

Cincy

Cincy,

Thanks for all the additional info on your exploration with the W20; in my search for potential servers, that unit impressed me most as being an audiophile device first by design that happened to be a music server as opposed a music server to which the designers attempt to retrofit audio capabilities. I'm not 'there yet' with respect to my desire to jump fully on the server-based bandwagon but if someone held a gun to my head today as they say and forced a purchase of high-quality audiophile-grade server, odds are I'd choose the W20 even over the Lampizator SuperKomputer (fully blown out with AES inputs, etc..). Definitely will continue to follow your experiences with the W20.

I'd like to talk with you on a separate thread, PM, phone, whatever regarding your experience with the REL G1 MkIIs if you have the time. Will send a PM or start a separate thread on that subject.....thanks!

[Nacho]

Hi Cincy2.
Any news on your W20 break in time?
Regards.

[Nacho]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

I'd like to talk with you on a separate thread, PM, phone, whatever regarding your experience with the REL G1 MkIIs if you have the time. Will send a PM or start a separate thread on that subject.....thanks!

Hi SCAudiophile.
Do you feel lacking bass on your R1's?
I'm interested too on sub to my CR1's.
Just curiosity. I'm not fan of subs.
Regards.

[Weirdcuba]

Changing cables on my cr-1s eliminated any need for a sub in my set up.

[Weirdcuba]

Apologies - off topic on the original W20 thread.

[Cincy2]

Originally Posted by Nacho

Hi Cincy2.
Any news on your W20 break in time?
Regards.

I've got about 25 hours on it. All I can say is my recordings are now the only limiting factor in the sound quality I am hearing. With my best files, the sound staging and naturalness of the sound are the equivalent of live by any measure I can apply. It's startling if I happen to start a playback and the volume is even a little too high. Especially on vocals. I've had this disease (audiophilia) for 25 years and I am not exaggerating when I say, I've arrived - Live Concerts in my Music Room. The W20 made a significant contribution to the last few miles traveled on this journey. I have to give credit also to the other parts of this system that work very well together.

Cincy

[Nacho]

Thank's for your answer Cincy.
Glad to know you're more than satisfied with the W20. Even without breaking it yet.
You have an incredible system that let every component shine as they are.
Now i'm running from a N100H but i'm still researching to improve my source.
I'm basically streaming from Tidal and i'm looking for a good source to streamer services.
What output are you using (USB, XLR, COAX)?
What transport were you using before the Aurender?
Have you started a new thread with the REL Subs commentaries?
Regards.

[Cincy2]

Originally Posted by Nacho

Thank's for your answer Cincy.
Glad to know you're more than satisfied with the W20. Even without breaking it yet.
You have an incredible system that let every component shine as they are.
Now i'm running from a N100H but i'm still researching to improve my source.
I'm basically streaming from Tidal and i'm looking for a good source to streamer services.
What output are you using (USB, XLR, COAX)?
What transport were you using before the Aurender?
Have you started a new thread with the REL Subs commentaries?
Regards.

Hi,

I'm using the W20's USB output to my upsampler and then Dual AES to the DAC. Before I put the W20 in the system I was using a Mac Mini running Audirvana. Before that, a dCS transport. I can't offer a comparison to the transport as it has been several years since I spun a disk. The difference between Mac Mini and W20 was dramatic. Much quieter background, better imaging, more percussive piano and drums.

The Rel G1 is noticeable only very slightly in the music I play. Sounds best with organ music where it does rock the room. I've only ever had one sub, this one so I can't really offer any useable comparisons. What I noticed when it was integrated with my M3's was a much more gutsy kick drum and better bass in an orchestral piece where the bass blended better with the other instruments.

Hope that helps.

Cincy