Product Strengths

• Robust and solid build quality
• Excellent sound quality, reproducing music with high fidelity
• Gives music life, verve, vigor, and emotional involvement
• Antipodes optimizes the power supplies to increase speed and lower noise
• Offers a platform for the best available applications

Product Considerations

• The burn-in process can take a long time
• Worldwide chip shortages forced a few changes to the design, and the beta software would not be bug-free
• The USB output is considered the worst in terms of sound quality and receives the least amount of isolation and reclocking
• Removing Roon local option can be a problem for some users

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs. Aurender N20: The K50 replaced an Aurender N20
• Vs. Innuos Statement: The Innuos Statement has a warm and smooth signature
• Vs. HiFi ROSE RS150b: The K50 provides interconnectedness between sounds that the HiFi ROSE does not
• Vs. Antipodes K41 and K22: Combining an Antipodes K41 and K22 will make for a two-box K50 if one is so inclined

Takeaway: The Antipodes K50 is a well-built music server that brings soul back into a digital system. It creates a natural and inviting sound that can help you rediscover your favorite music.

Product Strengths

• The A20 is a full-fledged, high-performance server, streamer, preamplifier, DAC, and headphone amplifier
• Excellent DAC with a natural, detailed, clean, and neutral sound
• Impressive storage capabilities with slots for user-installable SSD or HDD drives and limitless storage options by integrating content from a NAS or external USB drive
• The Aurender Conductor App is highly user-friendly, with an intuitive interface and is easy to navigate

Product Considerations

• The A20 is not compatible with Roon
• The A20 does not have built-in CD ripping functionality
• The A20's sound signature might not immediately impress
• There is a learning curve for maximum functionality

Takeaway: The Aurender A20 is a great option for audiophiles seeking a digital hub that covers both headphone and loudspeaker listening and whose music collection is already digitized. It has excellent sound quality, hardware, software, and customer service.

Product Strengths

• Integrates the functions of a music server, a content streamer, and a LAN port, consolidating multiple devices into one for simpler setup
• Has two internal, hard-drive storage bays, which allow users to customize on-board music storage according to their needs (up to 16TB with SSDs)
• Employs an all-digital, phase-locked-loop subsystem (ADPLL) with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) to reduce jitter, improving the musical presentation
• Supports various digital file codecs, including native DSD512, handled by a dedicated Intel Quad-Core CPU
• Exceptional build quality, with a minimalistic, stylish design and a large, high-resolution (1920 x 480 pixels) AMOLED display for album art and information
• Outstanding customer service is available

Product Considerations

• Does not have a built-in DAC, requiring an external DAC for audio output
• Roon is not fully supported as a RAAT device, only as an Airplay device
• The Android version of the control app may not be as user-friendly as the iOS version
• HDDs/SSDs not included, so the cost of storage is not part of the overall price
• The Aurender N20 does not offer a hardware remote, which might be a problem for some users

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Aurender A20: The N20 is a superior streamer for upscale rigs due to its dedicated functionality and higher parts quality, whereas the A20 is an excellent choice as a streamlined hifi
• Vs Aurender W20SE: The reviewer believes the sweet spot in the Aurender lineup is the N20 unless dual AES output is needed, in which case—the W20SE would be better
• Vs Small Green Computer CAPS 20.1: The Aurender N20 is a state-of-the-art server with great sound quality for plug and play, while CAPS 20.1 needs maintenance
• Vs Linn Klimax DSM/3: Unlike the Linn Klimax DSM/3, the N20 comes with two internal hard-drive storage bays

Takeaway: The Aurender N20 is a well-designed music server/streamer with high-quality sound that offers a streamlined user experience and integration of various digital audio functions. It is a solid choice for audiophiles seeking simplicity, stability, and excellent sound quality in a digital source component.

Product Strengths

• Achieves ideal isolation for best performance using PLINK, PDFAS clocking technology, and separate chassis with high-quality linear power supply
• Offers superb sound quality whether streaming from UPnP or using local or streaming Roon RAAT sources
• Delivers a neutral, fast, lively, and expressive sound that is also finely nuanced, fluid, spacious, and gently svelte
• Has a direct, rhythmic, fast, pure, and impactful sound, combined with deep tonal saturation and an enveloping soundstage
• The MPS-X is designed to allow multiple clock signals for the streamer, network bridge, etc, but it then re-clocks all digital signals through the proprietary high-precision clock generator before sending the signal out to the DAC via its fiber optical interface (PLINK)

Product Considerations

• PLINK is not 100% compatible with Nagra Link, there is skipping/glitching on certain sample rates
• Aftermarket feet could alter pacing and drive, so it is best to start with the MPS-X's own feet

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Compared to Aqua LinQ, the MPS-X excels in being liquid, free-flowing, and spacious, particularly possessing more distinct layering in the depth plane, while the Aqua LinQ is more immediate and direct

Takeaway: The MPS-X offers excellent streaming audio performance with great sound quality and isolation, improving the sound of music servers and offering further potential within a Playback Designs system. It is an expertly crafted device that should make listening to music even more enjoyable.