Aurender A20

2024-06-19T08:05:39-04:00

Vendor: Aurender
Type: SACD Player
Price: 16500.00

A20

Signature Analog Music Server
MQA Full-Decoder DAC / Headphone Amplifier
2 x Slot for 2.5″ HDD or SSD Drive (user-installable)
Variable-Output Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Analog Outputs
USB Digital Output / Coaxial and Optical Digital Inputs

A20

Flagship sound with Aurender’s best DAC built-in.

Reference Analog Output Network Player with Aurender’s best built-in DAC, dedicated Headphone Section, User-Installable Storage Options, XLR and RCA Analog Outputs

Redefining the relationship between Digital Audio and Music

A20 is derived from A30 and delivers the very same reference-level audio performance, but without the CD ripping and library management functionality. A20 also replaces A30’s factory-fitted 10TB HDD with two user accessible bays to install one or two 2.5” HDDs or SSDs for the music storage capacity needed or desired.

Employing the same renowned dual-mono AKM 4497 chipset as that found in model A30, you can expect nothing but the best in sound quality. A20 is ideal for the user seeking exceptional audio performance from files and streams without the fuss or complexity of separate components.

A20’s scaled back design makes no compromise where audio performance is concerned. Music lovers who have no need for CD ripping functionality and want a high-end DAC without adding more boxes will find A20 to be a stellar foundation to any system.

Key Features

Aurender’s Best DAC

Aurender designed the A20 for those seeking the simplicity of an all-in-one unit without sacrificing a high level of resolution, transparency, and the reproduction of inner detail. Built around an integrated dual-mono AKM4497 DAC module, A20 delivers MQA full-decoding to get the best performance out of MQA content, as well as every other major digital audio format.

Linear Power Supply with Integrated UPS

A fully-linear power supply architecture with extensive shielding prevents noise from being delivered to sensitive DACs. Four discrete toroidal transformers power the server system, digital outputs and dual-mono DAC respectively. A “super capacitor” based UPS system stabilizes A20 in the event of an abrupt loss of power.

FPGA-Based Precision Clock

A20’s precision clock generation system incorporates a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with sub 100fs jitter-reducing clock generator to precisely time digital audio data transmissions and minimize jitter to below negligible levels.

Variable Output XLR & RCA Outputs

A20’s high quality Balanced (XLR) and Unbalanced (RCA) outputs guarantee compatibility with any preamp, integrated amp, or even power amps! A20’s DAC-level lossless volume control enables it to function as a preamp when connected directly to a power amplifier.

Dedicated Headphone Section

In addition to being a stellar Analog Output Network Player for loudspeaker systems, A20 also features a 1/4″ headphone output for quiet times.

Upsampling DAC Option

A20 is capable of upsampling non-DSD files up to 705.6/768kHz to the analog outputs. Or leave upsampling off (default setting) for an untouched bitstream.

User-Installable Storage Options

A20 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.

Digital Connectivity

Four digital inputs are provided: one RCA Coax, one BNC Coax and two Optical. These inputs allow connection of additional digital sources such as a CD transport, TV, etc. Any device connected this way will take full advantage of the superior sound quality of the DAC within the A20.

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!

MQA Core-Decoder Upgrade Available
Learn More about MQA

Physical Specifications

Dimensions

16.9″W x 14″D x 4.4″H (3.9 w/o feet)

Weight

31.3 lb

Material

Machined Aluminum Chassis

Front Panel Display

8.8″ 1920 x 480 Wide IPS Color LCD

Technical Specifications

Power Supply

Full Linear, 1x50W (CPU), 2x25W (DAC L&R), 1x35W (FPGA & Headphone)

CPU

Intel Low Power Quad Core

RAM

8GB

Library Storage Capacity

2X 2.5″ Compartments (User-Installable Storage)

SSD for System & Cache

480GB 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 (47W), Peak (80W), Standby (6W)

CD Ripping Capability

N/A

Audio Specifications

Analog Outputs

XLR (Balanced), RCA (Unbalanced)

DAC Chipset

AKM 4497 – Dual-Mono

Audio Word Clock

OCXO

Analog Outputs Supported Format

Up to 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512 (Native)

Digital Outputs

USB Audio (Dedicated)

USB Output Supported Format

Up to 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512 (Native), DSD256 (DoP)

SPDIF & AES/EBU Output Supported Format

N/A

Digital Inputs

1X Coax RCA, 1X Coax BNC, 2X Optical/Toslink

Headphone Section

1 x 1/4″ (6.5mm) Unbalanced

Master Clock Input

N/A

MQA Support

MQA Full-Decoder On Board

Compatible Formats

DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE and others

DSD-to-PCM Conversion

N/A