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Even with regard to different computer setups, the Aurender S10 won. Here it was more difficult to precisely define the real cause of difference as though the Aurender and Squeezebox performed on one plateau of sonic density, my iMac and MacBook on another. Both Linux-based devices sounded a bit more organic than the OSX decks. The Aurender produced a denser sound with accurate treble, clean bass and precise soundstaging. Each of my Macs had me think that something was missing from amongst possible bandwidth, dynamic, depth, timbre or image density facets.

For example the Macbook running Audirvana’s integer mode lacked density. On one hand I must admit that with sufficient memory, an accurate USB input  on the DAC plus a good USB cable, Audirvana does deliver very satisfying results. On the other hand, it sounds a bit ethereal, digital and not ‘carnal’ enough to be completely realistic. The Aurender’s sound was not the very best digital considering my Esoteric K03’s even better performance yet I never encountered this nagging sensation of something amiss. In that sense it became the most gratifying computer source I have experienced excluding the Audionec. Once again the Aurender delivered both playback accuracy and superb ease of use. Going with a more conventional computer-based audio player one might benefit from extended capabilities but it will ultimately be quite hard to obtain the level of accuracy, stability and comfort the Korean server provides out of the box.

Of course the Aurender S10 is no ultimate digital source but neither were any of the others I've tried. Even so it’s been the only computer-based alternative to my CD-transport based playback I could readily live with. What’s more, Aurender’s app is the best I’ve ever used on an iPad. It's night-and-day superior to the iPeng app for the Squeezebox server which I commonly used with the Squeezebox Touch and also during my previous review of the Wyred4Sound Music Server.

It’s time to answer a crucial question. Is the Aurender S10 still a convenient mid-term investment? There is no immediate answer in this fast-changing technological environment but I still believe that the intrinsic performance here makes for a compelling investment depending on precisely what you’re looking for. If your expectations are based on playback accuracy as well as ergonomics and ease of operation, the Aurender S10 might be one of the very best solutions if not the best. The S10 is one of the few audio servers which makes the choice of a computer as main source a no-brainer. I’ve always felt reluctant to use a keyboard when listening to music. The simple fact of being reminded of my day job at the office only dilutes a good part of my listening pleasure. Yet simultaneously the Aurender S10 delivered the comfort of having on my knees access to my entire music vault with the simplicity of a conventional CD player. Add to this highly competitive sound and it becomes the near perfect digital source which should satisfy even over the long run since the most critical sound-producing element of D/A conversion remains external.

On criticisms some might deplore the fact the Aurender is no open solution, has limited storage especially for AIFF and high-resolution files which can’t be expanded without losing part of the meta data. And this machine won’t necessarily seduce computer-audio fiends who already have experienced many other solutions to now look for ultimate levels of resolution.


The Aurender’s target audience is not the computer-savvy audiophile but someone who wants CD player-equivalent sound with the added convenience of instant access but no heavy learning curve. It could also be an answer to those computer ‘experts’ who’ve finally concluded that in the end nothing trumps stability and a gorgeous intuitive user interface.

Either way the S10 is a highly commendable device that offers good value over the mid-term because it’s been very cleverly designed to address the average music lover’s expectations like a bull's eye. Let me say it differently. A few days ago I had opportunity to try Ayon’s S5 streamer connected to a dedicated NAS. Despite this expensive machine offering higher resolution and superior sound, it remained a prisoner of its built-in DAC’s personality and was completely outclassed by Aurender’s ease of use. That’s what the S10 is all about. I’d sketch the difference between it and a Linn server as being exactly what separates an Apple computer from a conventional PC. Better more intuitive functionality and a slicker user interface make for high residual value over the long term and in this fast-changing sector of audio computing, that’s quite the little miracle. Highly recommended!
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