A15 Features
- Dual-Mono MQA Full-Decoder DAC
- Balanced XLR and Unbalanced
RCA Analog Outputs
- 2X Slot for 2.5″ HDD or SSD
(User Installable)
- USB Digital Output / Coaxial
and Optical Digital Inputs
The legendary
A10 changed the paradigm for
Aurender by introducing our
first ever music server/streamer
with a built-in DAC and analog
outputs. Aurender is now proud
to introduce the next generation
model A15 to our product suite.
Equipped with many new features
and audible improvements, A15
delivers a cost-effective, high
end audio presentation from a
streamlined one-box digital
source component. By eliminating
the complication and expense of
assembling a system built around
a stand-alone streamer and
separate DAC, Aurender has taken
the guesswork out of designing a
stellar system with a digital
front end.
A15 is packed with a
high-performance, dual-mono
AKM4490 digital-to-analog
convertor with MQA full-decoder
technology and balanced (XLR)
and unbalanced (RCA) analog
outputs. As with all of
Aurender’s “A” series, A15 is
designed to take full advantage
of the vast selection of MQA
encoded music that is now
available. It also has two rear
panel bays which can accommodate
user-installable 2.5″ HDDs or
SSDs of (up to 8TB each) to
store the largest of music
libraries. A large full-color
front panel display shows album
cover art along with artist name
and song title on the “now
playing” screen.
Dual-Mono MQA Full-Decoder DAC
At the heart of A15 is a
dual-mono configuration of the
renowned AKM4490 DAC chipset. The
DAC boards are supported by discrete
linear power supplies for the best
performance in channel separation,
dynamics and noise floor reduction.
Aurender engineers have designed
input/output circuit topologies
around this chip, achieving new
levels of audio performance and
fidelity. A15 is voiced for a sonic
signature that’s resolved and smooth,
without sounding etched or dark. In
addition to delivering the highest
possible audio performance that the
MQA process offers, A15’s built in
DAC also decodes PCM files up to
32bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512.
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
MQA is an award-winning British
technology that delivers the sound
of the studio. The final MQA file is
fully authenticated and is small
enough to stream, while also being
backward compatible, so you can play
MQA music on any device. MQA
technology is licensed by labels,
music services, and hardware
manufacturers worldwide.
Visit
www.mqa.co.uk for more
information.
The Aurender models A30, A20, A15
and A200 include Full-Decoder MQA
DAC technology, delivering the
maximum audio performance of MQA.
These are fully compliant MQA
end-to-end solutions providing the
ideal sound of the “original master
recording.” This method of decoding
delivers the highest possible
performance available from MQA. The
Aurender Conductor App and front
panel display will indicate that
“MQA” or “MQA Studio” content is
being played. A green or blue dot
next to the MQA logo indicate that
the unit is decoding and playing an
MQA stream or file, and denotes
provenance to ensure that the sound
is identical to that of the source
material. The blue dot indicates it
is playing an MQA Studio file, which
has either been approved in the
studio by the artist/producer or has
been verified by the copyright owner.
FPGA-Based Precision Clock
A high-precision clock generation
system incorporating Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) runs
A15’s DAC section. An extremely
accurate sub 100fs clock generator
precisely times the digital audio
data transmission to reduce jitter
well below negligible levels.
Linear Power Supply Designed to
Keep the System Noise Level as Low
as Possible
In sensitive digital source
components, the power supply plays a
critical role in the overall sonic
presentation. A15’s fully-linear
power supply structure incorporates
four audiophile-grade toroidal
transformers, along with advanced
shielding and isolation, to prevent
noise from being introduced to the
signal path at this stage.
Connectivity with Versatility
The A15 can function as a source or
a preamplifier with volume control
and digital source selection. It can
be connected directly to any power
amplifier or an active loudspeaker
system for the utmost simplicity.
Volume control, and other playback
actions, can be adjusted from the
Aurender Conductor app or included
machined-aluminum IR remote control.
If you already use a preamplifier or
integrated amp, the variable output
can be set to “Direct Output” mode
for a fixed output level with no
volume attenuation. The front panel
buttons also provide an interface to
adjust volume, play / pause / skip
track, as well as select and start a
created playlist.
Digital Inputs / Output
For maximum flexibility, the A15
features both a coaxial (RCA) and
optical (TosLink) digital input.
These inputs allow other sources
like a Blu-Ray / DVD player, CD
Transport or TV to be connected to
the A15 and utilize its DAC to
improve the audio fidelity. A USB
audio output is also provided to
send a digital signal to a second
system or DAC.
Audio / Visual
The faceplate of the A15 features a
6.9” widescreen LCD display
reproducing album artwork and “now
playing” information with vivid
color and clarity. The cover art and
text are rendered large enough to be
visible from the listening position
without being a distraction from the
music.
Support for High-Resolution
Streaming and File-Based Content
A15 supports all widely used file
formats including: DSD (DSF, DFF),
WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE and
MP3. With the capability of high
resolution PCM up to 32bit/768kHz
and DSD512, you can expect the
highest audio performance from all
formats and codecs.
Adaptive File Library Storage
A15 provides two user accessible
storage bays on its rear panel for
the user to install the type and
capacity of hard drive that best
meets their requirements. Most users
opt for SSDs which are reliable,
efficient and silent but traditional
HDD’s are also supported for a more
economical approach. With the dual
storage trays, it’s possible to fit
the A15 with up to a mind-boggling
16TB of storage! If you’re a
streaming enthusiast, then no
drive(s) need to be installed.
Should your situation ever change,
you can always install storage at
any time without the need for any
tools or factory service.
Cache-based Playback
With Aurender, all playback occurs
from an innovative internal solid
state cache. As soon as any track,
album, or playlist is added to the
queue, the content is immediately
downloaded to the internal cache
memory for playback. By caching
tracks to the solid state drive,
electrical and acoustic noise
generated from spinning disks,
moving heads and motors are
completely eliminated. This
technology results in lower demand
on overall system resources and
power supplies, less wear-and-tear
on internal storage drives,
increased reliability and most
importantly, superior audio
performance.
Aurender Conductor App
The Aurender Conductor App turns any
iPad, iPhone or Android phone or
tablet into a versatile user
interface for any Aurender Music
Server. All preferences, functions
and behaviors of the Aurender can be
easily accessed and customized
through the Settings menu. The
Aurender App comes with extensive
features to make managing, viewing
and playing your high-resolution
music library a breeze.
Remote Internet Technical Support
Sending a Remote Support Request
through the Aurender Conductor App
allows engineers to answer questions
and remotely diagnose and fix any
problems over the Internet.
What is Roon and how it works?
Read more here >>
Specifications Compatible Formats: DSD (DSF,
DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A,
APE and others
-
Analog Audio
Output Supported Formats: PCM up
to 32bit/768kHz,
DSD up to 512 (DSD512 converted
to PCM by FPGA)
-
Analog Audio
Outputs: Balanced XLR, 4.0Vrms
Output, Unbalanced RCA,
2.0Vrms Output
-
Control
Software: Aurender Conductor for
iPad, iPhone and Android
-
CPU: Intel
Low Power Quad-Core
-
D/A Convertor:
AKM4490 (dual-mono design), MQA
Full-Decoder Certified
-
Digital Audio
Outputs: USB Audio Class 2.0 x 1
-
Front Panel
Display: 6.9” 1280 x 480 IPS
Color LCD
-
Gigabit
Ethernet: Double-Isolated x 1
-
I/O Ports: 2
x USB 3.0 (rear)
-
IR Remote
Control: Supplied
-
Main Clock:
TCXO Based Precision Jitter
Reducing Clock
-
Material:
Machined Aluminum Chassis
-
Power
Consumption: Play (29W), Peak
(42W), Standby (7W)
-
Power Supply:
Full-Linear
-
SPDIF Digital
Inputs: Coaxial x 1, Optical x 1
-
SSD for
System and Cache: 240GB NVMe
-
Storage (optional-user
installed): 2 bays accommodating
2.5” HDDs or
SSDs (15mm height max)
-
Streaming
Support: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify
Connect and Internet Radio,
Roon.
-
System Memory:
8GB
-
UPS: Yes
(Super Capacitor based)
-
USB Audio
Output Supported Formats: PCM up
to 32bit/768kHz,
DSD: DoP up to 256, Native DSD
up to 512
-
Volume
Control: Variable or Fixed
Output
-
Finish:
Silver or Black finish
-
Dimensions:
30 x 83 x 355 mm (unit only),
430 x 96 x 355 mm (unit with
foot)
-
Weight: 26.2
lbs / 11.9 Kg
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