The Aurender AP20 model went beyond the expected: in addition to the functions usual for Aurender – streaming and audio server (there are 2 slots for drives) – it can also amplify the audio signal itself. The new product delivers 350 W per channel to speakers with an impedance of 4 Ohms or 2 x 200 W at 8 Ohms. All this thanks to a pair of Purifi 1ET400A Class D amplifier modules.
The digital part is also at its best: a pair of AKM4497 DAC chips rely on the signal of a thermally stabilized clock generator. Moreover, according to the manufacturer, the system “includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with a clock generator with a frequency of less than 100 fs, which reduces jitter.” If this does not seem sufficient, it is proposed to supplement the device with an external clock generator MC10 from South Koren.
Digital switching on the rear panel includes an Ethernet port, two TOSLINKs, a BNC, a coaxial input, and a USB drive connector. Work with Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect is provided, Tidal and Qobuz services are integrated into a proprietary application for a smartphone or tablet.
In this case, the input analog signals are not digitized in the device, but undergo purely analog processing, including the R2R step volume control. The same goes for everything that comes out of the DAC. And all this is done in uncompromising dual mono. Each amplifier channel is powered by its own toroidal transformer.
And Aurender engineers didn’t stop there: the AP20 has a total of six toroidal power transformers. Another four are for the processor, separately the DAC of two channels and the FPGA processor.
The Aurender AP20 also features a headphone amplifier and balanced XLR outputs. The case, in black or silver finish, is decorated with a color display that occupies almost the entire front panel. The result is a “just add speakers” device.
The Aurender AP20 streaming integrated amplifier-streamer costs 23,900 euros in Europe, and you will have to add another 16,980 euros for the South Koren MC10 clock generator.
