Redefining the Relationship
between Digital Audio and Music
A20 is the latest addition to
Aurender’s range of analog output
music players. The A20, shares the
same basic circuitry topologies, DAC
chipset and form factor as the
flagship A30. However, it dispenses
with the CD ripping functionality,
metadata editing software and the
headphone connection provided is a
single standard ¼” jack. By being
scaled back, the A20 will appeal to
the digital music lover whose
library is already digitized and
wants a full-fledged,
high-performance server, streamer,
preamplifier, DAC and headphone
amplifier. The A20 can be customized
to your needs in terms of storage
capacity and type. Two trays located
on the rear panel each can
accommodate a hard drive (HDD) or
SSD. For users with large music
collections, each tray could be
fitted with an 8TB SSD providing a
massive 16TB of digital file storage.
Consequently, if the user is 100%
streaming, no drives are required to
be installed, but can be added later
should you change your mind. What
distinguishes A20 from other analog
output models is its pure audio
performance. Employing the
world-renown AKM 4497 chipset in a
dual-mono with dual linear power
supplies, you can expect nothing but
the best in sound quality. Also
included is full MQA Decoder
technology which enables you to play
back full-resolution MQA audio files
and streams, delivering the highest
possible sound quality of the
original master recording. Since
many audiophiles will use the A20 as
their “digital hub”, the ability to
reduce system complexity is easily
achieved. For example, the A20 can
function as preamplifier allowing
for direct connection to a stereo
power amplifier or active speaker
system. The preamp section has both
SPDIF and optical inputs that allow
other source components like a CD
transport, Blu-Ray player or cable
box to feed its audio through the
A20’s DAC improving fidelity. Lastly,
the system volume can be controlled
three ways; the front panel rotary
control, the Aurender Conductor app
or using the supplied IR remote
control.
Searching for a high-performance
one-box source component? Look no
further than the extraordinary A20
from Aurender.
Integrated Dual-Mono Full Decoder
MQA DAC with Fully Discrete Linear
Power Supplies
Aurender engineered 768KHz/32bit
dual-mono DAC designed around next
generation flagship AKM 4497 DAC
chipset with dual-mono linear power
supplies delivers reference-class
fidelity. Aurender designed the A20
for those seeking the simplicity of
an all-in-one but unwilling to
sacrifice a high level of resolution,
transparency and the reproduction of
inner detail. The Aurender A20
includes full MQA Decoder technology,
which enables you to play back MQA
audio files and streams, delivering
the highest possible sound quality
of the original master recording.
Balanced (XLR) / Unbalanced (RCA)
Audio Outputs
Both balanced and unbalanced outputs
are provided for interface to a
preamplifier or power amplifier.
When A20 is connected directly to a
power amplifier the analog output is
adjustable to best match the
sensitivity of the amplifier used.
The two settings for balanced are
4.0Vrms and 5.4Vrms. Unbalanced
outputs are selectable 2.0Vrms or
2.7Vrms.
Flexible Volume Adjustment
When A20 is used as a preamplifier,
volume can be adjusted from three
locations; the front panel rotary
control, phone or tablet app and
supplied IR remote control. When
used with a preamplifier the
variable output can be set to fixed
direct output in settings.
High-Performance Headphone
Amplifier
Incorporated within the topology of
the A20 is a high-quality headphone
amplifier suitable for use with the
finest headphones. A single ¼” jack
is provided on the front panel for
easy access.
FPGA-Based Precision Clock with
World-Class Jitter Reduction
Precision clock generation system
incorporates Field-Programmable Gate
Arrays (FPGA) with sub 100fs
jitter-reducing clock generator
precisely times digital audio data
transmissions and minimizes jitter
to below negligible levels.
Linear Power Supply for Ultra-Low
Noise Floor with Integrated UPS
A full-linear power supply and
extensive shielding prevent noise
from being delivered to sensitive
DACs for the best sound reproduction.
Four discrete toroidal transformers
power the server system, digital
output and dual DACs respectively.
This power supply comes with a
“super capacitor-based”
uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
for stabilizing the A20 under an
abrupt power outage condition.
The Aurender Conductor App Packed
with Convenient Features for
Full-Function Control.
The App turns the iPad, iPhone,
Android phone or tablet into a
versatile user interface for all
Aurender Music Server/Players. All
settings and functions of the
Aurender can be easily accessed
through the Settings menu, and
Aurender Conductor comes with
extensive features to make managing,
viewing and playing high resolution
music collections a breeze. The
subscription streaming services
TIDAL and Qobuz are imbedded within
Aurender Conductor and Spotify
Connect and internet radio service
as well creating a seamless user
experience. Merging streaming
service content to your main file
library provides easy access to all
your favorite music and the ability
to blend content when creating
playlists.
Adaptive Storage
Two trays accept the hard drives
(user installed) of your choice HDD
or SSD and of the capacity you wish.
SSD Caching
When A20 is fitted with a storage
hard drive or hard drives of the
user’s choice, playback is handled
via the unique to Aurender, caching
system. While music files are stored
on the user installed drives,
playback always occurs from a
solid-state drive (SSD). This method
allows for the storage drives to
only be concerned with loading
content onto the SSD for playback.
The result is that these drives
experience a short duty cycle of
operation before going idle
contributing to their long- term
reliability.
Support for All High-Resolution
Formats
All major codecs supported. PCM up
to 786kHz/32-bit. DSD up to 256 DoP.
Native DSD up to 512.
Upsampling
The A20 is capable of upsampling
non-DSD files to 705.6/768kHz to the
analog outputs. You can also choose
PCM audio to reach the DAC without
alteration and allow the DAC to
perform its own upsampling.
User Adjustable Analog and Digital
Filters
The parameters of the digital and
analog filters are able to be
adjusted by the user for precisely
fine tuning the sound to best
compliment the audio system the A20
is used in. There is a factory
default filter setting which can be
selected. MQA content requires a
filter setting that cannot be
changed as it is a fixed for the MQA
decoding process.
Critical Listening Mode
For best audio performance,
circuitry related to panel
illumination and other background
function can be defeated. This mode
conserves system resources for the
best possible sound quality.
2X Isolated LAN Port
A20 features a 2X isolated LAN port
in which to connect directly to your
router. This LAN port will isolate
the A20 from any noise introduced by
the LAN/Router connection.
Digital Connectivity
Four digital inputs are provided:
one RCA Coax, one BNC Coax and two
Optical. These inputs allow for the
interface of additional digital
sources such as a CD transport, DVD
player, television etc. Any device
connected this way will now be able
to take full advantage of the
superior sound quality of the DAC
within the A20.
USB Connectivity
A20 features two USB 3.0 ports
either for super-fast copying from a
USB storage device.
Remote Internet Technical Support
A Remote Support request can be
sent through the Aurender App which
allows engineers to quickly diagnose
and correct issues over the internet
What is Roon and how it works?
Read more here >> MQA (Master
Quality Authenticated)
MQA is an award-winning British
technology that delivers the sound
of the studio. The master 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. The
Aurender A100 includes full MQA
Decoder technology, which enables
you to play back MQA audio files and
streams, delivering the highest
possible sound quality of the
original master recording. This
method of decoding delivers the
highest possible sound quality
available from MQA. The Aurender
Conductor App will indicate that
“MQA” or “MQA Studio” content is
being played back. 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. The A100’s front
panel also uses text indicators to
display MQA playback and the
respective sampling rate of the file
or stream being played. ‘MQA’ or
‘MQA Studio’ indicates 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. ‘‘MQA Studio’ 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.
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Specifications
Compatible Formats: DSD (DSF,
DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A,
APE and others
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Bit and Sample Rates: PCM up to 768kHz/32bit DSD up to 256 DoP Native DSD up to 512(Internal play only)
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HDD for Music Library Storage:
Tray for User Installation 2 x SSD
or 2.5 inch HDD
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SSD for System and Cache: 480GB
M.2 NVMe
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DAC Chipset: AKM AK4497 Dual-Mono
Design with Dual-Mono Linear Power
Supplies
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Power Supply: Full-Linear
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Display: 8.8″ 1920 x 480 WIDE IPS
COLOR LCD
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Digital Audio Inputs: 1 x RCA SPDIF 1 x BNC SPDIF 2 x TOSLINK up to 24-bit 192 kHz / DOP up to DSD64
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Data USB: 2 x USB 3.0 (Rear)
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Dedicated Audio USB Port: 1 x USB
AUDIO Class 2.0
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Ethernet: 1 x Double-Isolated
Gigabit Ethernet
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Volume Control: -90 dB – 0dB, 0.5 dB step Velocity Sensitive Operation Variable output
control from front panel rotary knob, Conductor App and supplied IR remote control
when used as preamplifier
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Clock Structure: Revised Full
Differential System
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Headphone Output: 6.5mm Unbalanced
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Main Clock Accuracy: OCXO Based
Precision Jitter Reducing Clock
Generator
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CPU: Intel N4200 Quad Core
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Internal UPS: Super Capacitor
Based UPS (uninterrupted power
supply)
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USB Audio Output: PCM: Up to 32bit / 768kHz – DSD DoP Up to 128- Native DSD Up to 256
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Analog Audio Outputs: Unbalanced (RCA): 2.0 or 2.7 Vrms Balanced (XLR): 4.0 or 5.4 Vrms selectable
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User Software: Aurender Conductor iPad App iPhone App (Lite Version) Android App (Lite Version), Tablet App
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Dimensions: 430 x 111 x 355 mm /
16.9 x 4.4 x 14.0 inch
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Weight: 14,2 kg
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