I have been using an A10 for my primary source for about 5 months. My opinion: Excellent audio performance, excellent build quality, excellent iPad controller app interface (also includes a metal remote control), excellent customer support, and very good (4TB) onboard storage. Finally, it "cleans up" all of the digital audio "clutter" cables devices and other widgets. This is cost effective and I have grown tired of all of the bits and pieces approach. Well that's an "Excellent" average rating, why?
Excellent Audio: the ATK DAC is excellent and it has a great implementation with a bunch of dedicated linear power supplies (internal), the SSD buffer which caches all the playback insuring best media playback preparation from internal, external and streaming sources. I had an Aurender N10, N100H, and a few modified Mac Minis prior to this. How does it compare? Limited to sonic performance: The playback is better than all but the N10. I believe this is due to cable reduction and the absence of the highly variable performance of the USB cable. The N10, due to it's cost, is usually mated with a $5,000 or better DAC and this is the performance dividing line. The A10 will run with N100H (or N10) up to the nominal expectations of a modern $3500-4000 DAC. I am careful here to qualify this opinion: 1. All other things being equal (external power conditioners, anti resonance optimization, reasonably priced aftermarket cables, equivalent source material (Hi-Res, Red book, MQA Streaming), and downstream electronics setup, DAC filtering preferences, etc. 2. There are other over achievers in the DAC world that may exceed the performance or preference of the listener. 3. All cables and performance enhancers, beyond the ones used by the A10 in the comparisons, should be considered as extra. There is such an investment in this stuff, it can generally void any comparison.
Excellent build quality, excellent controller app interface (also includes a metal remote control), excellent customer support. These are (IMO) Aurender strengths across the product line. They have been improving these elements of their products for may years. While I know of few complaints about the customer tech support, the ones I have first-hand knowledge of can be clearly laid at the feet of a novice user that didn't understand computer audio. Incidentally, the A10 would have completely circumvented these "problems" as it is an all-in-one server/DAC. Most everything can be handled remotely but Aurender should something happen.
Storage: 4TB of on-board storage is excellent and cavernous but it can be exceeded via other products. It is externally expandable via USB and NAS connectivity (not wireless).
Clutter: I like a good science experiment and technical perfection, optimization and maximization. Now, I limit that to my garage, not my living room. The cost of all of those bits and pieces is also comparatively higher (often times). Compatibility is really not an issue any more.
I love music and the A10 delivers. The on-board storage, NAS connectivity and Tidal bring me all that I can imagine. The full MQA hardware implementation is amazing. The sound is full and not tipped-up bright. Check the specs but I think it does all DSD and PCM rates that are actually available, 2X and 384/24 respectively.
It is not cheap $5500 but it is a value purchase. Aurender was a leader at the beginning of the Computer Audiophile movement and they have the foresight to still demonstrate leadership in a "me too" industry. I don't mention competitive comparison products here to protect the other brands and avoid a firestorm of silly rage. The above comments are only my direct experience and reservoir of a 30-year high-end experiences. I think you will have pride of ownership here...go buy one and contribute your experiences.
