Bartok Apex internal rendwr or external Aurender N20

dCS Products
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:+1:which model did you order?

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If you bought the S100, the ifi elite powersupply is nice noticable upgrade.

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Good choice IMHO. Loving my Aurender W20SE directly into the Vivaldi Apex dac via AES/EBU. Started with usb but after comparison there was no way back.

Aurenderā€™s Conductor V4 control point is the icing on the cake!

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I plan to get N30 for my study, N20 for the living room system.

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wow- N30SA looks like a beast, pretty sure the SQ is top notch :+1:

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I love the sound signature of Aurender which is analytical.It is a matter of preferece not better or worse :slight_smile:

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100% agreed!

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so youā€™re using USB or AES/EBU ?

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I use AES/EBU wherever possible
ā€¦

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N20-dCS Vivaldi Clock connections kopie
N20-dCS Vivaldi Clock connections kopie1000Ɨ1215 101 KB

I use the N20 with the dCS Vivaldi Apex DAC and Clock. The clock input of the N20 is a huge improvement, so you should definitely consider that.

  • AES/EBU cable: Shunyata Omega
  • Clock cables(2x): Shunyata Alpha v2 (Omega-X 75Ohm on order)
    Sounds fantastic!!
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This way you get the most from Aurender, with the W20SE there are even two aes/ebu out connections.

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32

Thanks for the info.
Currently, Vivalidi or Rossini+clock is within my budget.
Maybe the best is to go with Vivaldi and later to add Vivaldi clockā€¦

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33

W20se seems pretty good. But first, I need to decide on which dac ^^

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Interesting reading this thread. I use an N20 with the Bartok APEX connected via AES/EBU serving locally stored files. It sounds really fantastic!

Lately, Iā€™ve also been streaming via AirPlay from Apple Music to the Bartok while I work. On that note, will Apple Music ever be available through Mosaic?

Iā€™m starting to build up a library in Apple Music. I also have Tidal and Qobuz, but Iā€™m finding it easier to mainly use one of them vs all three and may cancel one or two of them.

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Using dual AES/EBU you can sync the W20se by Vivaldiā€™s word clock output (no need for a dongle), however without clock the sound of this combo is excellent too.

Switching between both options is very easy, I always choose depending on mood and genre. With clock sounds somewhat more clinical and defined, without gives more air, looser sound and wider stage (YMMV).

Iā€™ve got no experience -yet- with this combo controlled by a Vivaldi Master Clock. TBH currently satisfied with what Iā€™m hearing, although curious, Iā€™ve never been in a hurry with that so far.

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Thanks for the tip . What output voltage version should I consider. ?

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I think that you should get to hear the effect that a Melco network switch has before buying one blind. The postings here have resulted in all hearing that it makes a difference but not everyone seems to like it. BTW, I use one.

The required input voltage is written on the case next to its port. It is 12v.1A. If you can ,try before you buy any aftermarket power supply though it appreciated his may be difficult in the case of ifi. Linear rather than switch mode is often favoured and Plixir Elite is a common choice if available in your region. I have other types that sound no better than the SMPS that Melco include. See how you get on with the S100 first.

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12 volt as is the original power supply

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20241126_095334
20241126_0953341920Ɨ826 119 KB

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I have compared Roon vs mosaic app vs Aurender N20 for dCS Rossini + Clock combo and found N20 to be slightly better specially on sound stage and spaciousness. Conductor App on Aurender is also good and I donā€™t miss Roon interface much. I will keep N20.

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