Aurender - A15 - Music Server/Streamer/DAC

Aurender was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 2011 by a team of engineers who had grown frustrated with the compromises inherent in using a general-purpose computer as a music source. A laptop or desktop computer is designed to do many things simultaneously — manage network traffic, handle background processes, and respond to user input — all of which introduce electrical noise and timing inconsistencies that affect the quality of digital audio output. Aurender's founding insight was straightforward: build a device that does one thing, does it with complete precision, and does nothing else. The result was a range of music servers and streamers that redefined what high-quality digital audio playback could sound like.

ENGINEERING PHILOSOPHY

Aurender music servers load the audio file being played into a dedicated RAM buffer before playback begins, completely isolating the playback process from the mechanical and electrical noise of the storage drive. The custom Linux operating system runs only the processes required for audio playback — no background tasks, no operating system overhead, no network activity during the playback moment itself. The clock circuits used in Aurender's reference models achieve jitter levels measured in femtoseconds, an order of magnitude better than the clocks used in computer-based playback systems. The chassis are machined from solid aluminium and internally shielded to prevent the digital circuits from radiating noise into the audio signal path. Every design decision is made in service of a single goal: to deliver the digital audio signal to your DAC with the lowest possible noise floor and the most accurate timing achievable.

WHY THE AUDIO TAILOR CARRIES AURENDER

We recommend Aurender as the digital source in any serious system because the source is where the signal chain begins — and the limitations introduced at the source cannot be corrected downstream. If you are streaming music through a laptop or phone into an expensive DAC, you are not hearing what your DAC is capable of.

Aurender A15 - High-End Audio Streaming and Serving

Immerse yourself in a musical experience like never before with Aurender's A15, the future of high-end audio streaming and serving. Forging a lasting impression on digital music technology following our lauded A10 model, Aurender now elevates the audio landscape with the advent of the A15—a music server/streamer/DAC that leverages state-of-the-art features and remarkable enhancements in audio quality to deliver a listening experience that rivals live performances.

Through its innovative design, the A15 expertly consolidates the functions of a dedicated streamer and standalone DAC, eliminating the opacity and high costs associated with conventional system setups. Its heart— a high-performance, dual-mono AKM4490 DAC integrated with MQA full-decoder technology— allows smooth and detailed audio translation, supported further by balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analogue outputs. The A15 also features two rear panel bays for easy installation of 2.5" HDDs or SSDs, enabling mass storage of your music library. Its vibrant full-colour front panel encapsulates the essence of your melodies via vivid album art display, further enhancing the user's connection with the music.

Features:

1. Dual-Mono MQA Full-Decoder DAC: The A15 boasts a dual-mono layout of the recognized AKM4490 DAC chipset, refining audio performance, channel separation, dynamics, and noise floor reduction for optimal sound quality.

2. FPGA-Based Precision Clock: The device incorporates a highly precise clock generation system that considerably lowers jitter levels, ensuring flawless digital audio data transmission.

3. Linear Power Supply: The A15's fully-linear power supply includes four high-quality toroidal transformers and advanced shielding and isolation to prevent noise interference.

4. Versatile Connectivity: The A15 can function as a sound source or a preamplifier, making it both adaptable and straightforward to use. It can be connected directly to a power amplifier or an active speaker system.

5. Flexible Digital Inputs / Output: The device comes with both a coaxial (RCA) and an optical (TosLink) digital input for maximum flexibility and improved audio fidelity.

6. High-Resolution Streaming and File-Based Content: The A15 supports all widely-used file formats like DSD, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE, and MP3, ensuring none of your favourite tunes get left out.

7. Adaptive File Library Storage: The device comes with two user-accessible storage bays that can accommodate both SSDs and traditional HDDs, offering up to 16TB of storage space.

8. Cache-based Playback: All playback happens from an internal solid-state cache, curbing possible electrical and acoustic noise and enhancing the overall audio performance.

9. Convenient Control through Conductor App: The Aurender Conductor App gives you complete control over all your Aurender devices.

Benefits:

1. Top-Notch Audio Quality: The dual-mono MQA Full-Decoder DAC offers smooth and rich audio quality, rivalling live performances.

2. Minimized Jitter: The FPGA-Based Precision Clock helps in minimizing jitter below negligible levels, leading to flawless digital audio.

3. Clean Audio Playback: The device's linear power supply helps in noise elimination, which can be a major disruption in the audio pathway.

4. Simplified Matching: The A15’s versatile connectivity removes the stress of pairing and compatibility, shortening your system setup time.

5. Enhanced Audio Fidelity: The RCCA and TosLink digital inputs allow added sources to be connected to the A15, enhancing audio quality.

6. Wide-Range Compatibility: Its support for all common audio file formats assures no hassles when attempting to play your favourite music.

7. Tailored Storage: With adaptive file library storage, the user can select the type and capacity of storage they need best.

8. Optimal Performance: Cache-based playback means less wear and tear on internal storage drives and better audio performance.

9. User Convenience: The Conductor App ensures ease of management, view, and playback of high-resolution music from your device, providing unparalleled convenience.

In sum, the Aurender A15 exemplifies the pinnacle of music server/streamer/DAC design and performance. Crafted with precision and nourished by innovative technology, it bestows a transformative and effortless way of accessing, storing and experiencing your music. Its high-performance dual-mono DAC, abundant storage, and vivid front panel display resonate with Aurender’s commitment to quality and user-centric design. Whether you're passionate about classical symphonies, send shivers down your spine with hard rock, or relax with smooth jazz, the A15 delivers your favourite tunes with exemplary accuracy and soul-stirring richness. Experience a revelation in music listening when you bring the Aurender A15 into your sound system. It's not just an investment in superior audio equipment - it's an investment in extraordinary sonic journeys. Visit us at The Audio Tailor, Australia's #1 Hi-Fi Store. Here, your quest for refined audio experience is our highest priority. Step into a world of elevated sound bliss. Step into a world of Aurender. Discover the A15 today!