Streamers — Aurender A1000

The A1000 is a network streamer with a built-in DAC from Aurender, built as an all-in-one music server, streamer, DAC, digital transport and preamp combined into a single compact chassis. Positioned as Aurender's least costly full-cycle player-streamer-server-DAC, the A1000 folds roles that would otherwise require a separate network transport, music server, standalone DAC and digital input hub into one component, while retaining the brand's established storage, caching and app ecosystem.

Key specs that matter

The AKM4490REQ dual-mono DAC chip and a quad-core 2.0GHz ARM Cortex-A55 CPU each receive their own dedicated low-noise linear power supply, with three separate toroidal transformers keeping control, conversion and auxiliary circuits from unnecessarily sharing a supply path. Format support covers PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512, plus MQA decoding. A 120GB NVMe SSD handles caching, alongside 4GB of RAM and a user-installable 2.5-inch HDD or SSD bay supporting up to 8TB for local storage. Connectivity includes HDMI ARC input, USB and coaxial digital inputs and outputs, LAN, Bluetooth AptX-HD, Chromecast Audio, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect and native Roon Ready support - comprehensive among Aurender's current range. The single-ended RCA analogue output offers variable mode with DAC-level lossless volume control, letting the A1000 connect directly to a power amplifier without a separate preamplifier. At 13.8 x 14 x 3.8 inches and 18.3 lbs, the machined aluminium chassis houses a 6.9-inch 1280x480 IPS colour display, with front-panel controls for power, input/output, mode, playback and a volume jog wheel, plus a Bluetooth LE remote.

Sound and use context

Expect instruments floating in space with a realistic sense of depth and rich instrumental timbre - reviewers describe an exciting D/A conversion with considerable soundstage layering and agile time-domain performance, alongside effortlessly glitch-free, error-free operation every single time, a rare distinction among streaming components at any price.

Pairing

The variable-output RCA connection with DAC-level lossless volume control lets this streamer connect directly to a power amplifier, eliminating the need for a separate preamplifier in a simplified system.

Alternatives

Aurender's A15 sits above this model in the brand's streamer range with additional features and refinement, worth the further investment if this A1000's already comprehensive functionality still leaves ambitions unmet for a specific system's requirements.