RS130 Vs. Aurender N20?

Hello all,

I have had the RS130 for about 2 years now and its been great. Especially since connecting it to my new MSB Reference DAC!

The nagging question is (always) can it really get better?? I’ve always had my eye on the Aurender N20 streamer, and I wonder if others here had the opportunity to audition both before pulling the trigger on your RS130?

Could I expect that the performance would improve along with the several thousand dollars added to the equation? Or, is the HiFi Rose that huge a bargain given the performance Ive experienced?

Thanks

@Hubbman

Thank you very much for your continued support of HiFi Rose, and we’re especially delighted to hear that your RS130 has paired well with the MSB Reference DAC — that’s truly a world-class combination.

As for your question — can it really get better? — it’s one we often hear from experienced users like yourself. The Aurender N20 is certainly a highly regarded streamer with its own strengths, particularly in terms of its hardware architecture and integration with its proprietary software ecosystem.

That said, the RS130 was designed from the ground up to deliver reference-grade digital audio performance, and many of our customers — including those with ultra-high-end DACs like MSB, dCS, and Esoteric — continue to be impressed by its transparency, stability, and versatility.

When comparing with significantly more expensive alternatives, whether the performance “improves” can come down to very subjective factors such as system synergy, listening preferences, or even the type of music you enjoy. However, many users and reviewers agree that the RS130 delivers exceptional value and often competes with or exceeds streamers in higher price brackets.

We believe the RS130 represents a sweet spot in performance vs. price — a true high-end streamer that doesn’t require compromises or unnecessary premiums.

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