A premium Integrated
Amplifier with the heart of an
Aurender
- All-In-One Digital
Source and Integrated Amp /
- 200 WPC into 8Ω, 350 WPC into 4Ω /
Fully Linear PSU /
- Analog R2R Volume Control /
Reference Grade DAC /
- Analog & Digital Inputs & Outputs
/ Headphone Output /
- Master Clock Input / 2x
User-Installable Storage Slots
Elegance. Finesse. Resolution.
Grace.
If ever Aristotle’s adage: “the
whole is greater than the sum of its
parts” is applicable in audio, it
applies to AP20. And, given the
quality and quantity of parts in
this equation, that’s saying a lot.
AP20 delivers unprecedented audio
performance from an integrated
amplifier. It includes the world’s
best Class D amp modules in a
dual-mono configuration, an analog
R2R relay-based volume control and
preamp section, Aurender’s best DAC,
a master clock input, a headphone
output, a suite of digital and
analog inputs and outputs, and the
most sophisticated linear power
supply block Aurender has ever
deployed.
The result? An audio component that
paints every musical timbre with
full-bodied realism. With a delicate
touch that's backed up by enormous
headroom for transients and dynamic
swings, AP20 drives even the most
demanding speaker loads and casts a
soundstage that is both expansive
and laser-focused.
All of this performance, with the
heart of an Aurender.
Other integrated amplifier solutions
on the market may offer support for
app-controlled streaming, but in
nearly every case, the user
experience, library management, and
software playback engine are an
afterthought requiring third-party
software and hardware to get the job
done. In AP20’s case, more than 10
years of industry-leading experience
has made Aurender the digital source
component of choice in the world’s
finest audio systems. Now, that same
holistic digital playback engine and
user experience is available from an
integrated amplifier that completely
removes the need for more components
and cables.
Just add speakers, and enjoy a
premium HiFi experience, without all
the HiFi boxes.
Key Features
Ultra High-Performance Class D
Amplifiers
There's Class D, and then there's
ridiculously good Class D. AP20
utilizes the finest amplifier
modules available. Designed by
renowned engineer Bruno Putzeys, the
Purifi Eigentakt 1ET400A amplifier
is free of digital harshness,
edginess, and grain. Featuring
impressive specifications that are
reflected in its extraordinary audio
performance, AP20's dual-mono
amplifier section represents the
state-of-the-art of Class D amp
technology.
Dead-Quiet Linear Power Supply
Most Class D amplifier
implementations utilize switch mode
power supplies because they are
efficient, cool-running, and
inexpensive. However, this can
introduce noise and distortion to
the signal path, resulting in an
audio presentation that lacks a
sense of natural analog grace. So,
in typical Aurender fashion, AP20
uses SIX discrete toroidal
transformers to power the CPU, left
& right DAC boards, FPGA processor,
and power output stages,
respectively.
Aurender's Best DAC
Aurender designed the AP20 for those
seeking the simplicity of an
all-in-one unit without sacrificing
a high level of resolution,
transparency, and inner detail.
Built around an integrated dual-mono
AKM4497 DAC module, AP20's
best-in-class DAC section delivers
high-resolution PCM, DSD, and MQA
full-decoding at the highest level.
Analog Volume Control
In any system, the quality of the
audio presentation is significantly
impacted by the volume control
mechanism of the preamplifier.
Remarkably, AP20 employs an
analog-domain volume control based
on an R2R stepped-attenuator system.
Volume control of this quality is
utterly uncommon in
digitally-equipped integrated amps,
and it is a major reason why AP20
provides such a natural, open sound.
OCXO Precision Clock
AP20's OCXO based precision clock
generation system incorporates a
Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
with sub 100fs jitter-reducing clock
generator to precisely time digital
audio data transmissions and
minimize jitter to below negligible
levels.
Analog Pass-Through Inputs
The AP20 provides a suite of analog
inputs including 1X balanced XLR and
2X single-ended RCA, offering an
ideal solution for integrating
external analog sources into your
audio system. Vinyl enthusiasts can
connect their phono stage to an
available analog input and enjoy
pure analog pass-through without any
A/D conversion in the signal path.
Digital Connectivity
With a variety of digital inputs
including 1X RCA SPDIF, 1X BNC SPDIF,
and 2X TOSLINK optical interfaces,
AP20 is well-equipped to render
external digital sources such as a
CD transport, media player, or TV
via its superior internal DAC.
Variable Output XLR Output
AP20's high-quality balanced XLR
output allows the user to feed a
second system such as a distributed
whole-home audio installation, or
subwoofer(s) with line-level input (XLR-to-RCA
adapters may be required in some
cases).
Master Clock Input
Although AP20 is equipped with an
extremely precise OCXO clock system,
jitter can be minimized further by
connecting a 10MHz Master Clock
signal generator such as Aurender's
MC10.
Dedicated Headphone Section
In addition to being a stellar
amplifier for loudspeaker systems,
AP20 also features a 1/4" headphone
output for quiet moments.
Hallmarks of Aurender
Hardware <> Software Integration
A closed system. Aurender playback
and control software is developed in
the same building as its hardware.
Superior integration means that
Aurender's software engineers are
able to specifically optimize
playback performance of the
extremely robust hardware at their
disposal.
Caching Playback Engine
Other systems buffer. Aurenders
cache. Every Aurender model features
a massive solid state memory from
which all playback occurs. This
important feature helps to minimize
system resource requirements for
enhanced audio performance and
stability.
Low-Power High-Efficiency CPU
A powerful CPU is essential to
making any computer run smoothly and
quickly. However, with more power
comes more noise. Aurender's
low-power high-efficiency Intel CPUs
have enough headroom to run the
machine while minimizing the amount
of current drawn in order to keep
the noise floor as low as possible.
Elegant Front Panel Display
Easy to read high resolution LCD
display. Dynamic, elegant,
understated.
Double Isolated LAN Port
Two layers of transformer based
isolation to filter noise out of
Ethernet connection.
Local Library Storage Capacity
Every Aurender contains either
massive built-in internal storage
capacity, or at least one slot for
super easy user-installable storage
options. Enjoy localized media
storage, and ditch the cumbersome
NAS or HDD.
Integrated Streaming Services
The entire world of streaming music
content is available to you within
one great app. Enjoy integrated
access to TIDAL, Qobuz, and Internet
Radio. Plus Spotify Connect and
AirPlay.
Critical Listening Mode
Enable Critical Listening Mode to
defeat the front panel screen,
buttons, and all background
computing activity that is not
essential for playing music. CLM
offers an even quieter, more
transparent audio presentation.
USB HDD and NAS Connectivity
The best user experience occurs
occurs when your music content is
stored on Aurender’s internal
storage. However, USB 3.0 data ports
and NAS share connectivity are
included in order to play or import
content stored on a NAS, external
USB hard drive, or thumb drive.
Support for All Major Audio
Codecs & Formats
Remote Internet Technical Support
In case you should encounter any
difficulty or problems, Aurender's
dedicated support team may log into
your system remotely to diagnose and
fix any issues. We take support
extremely seriously, and we're here
to help!
Technical Specifications
- Power Supply Full Linear, 2x 400VA
Toroidy Transformers (L&R Power Amp),
2x 50W (L&R Audio Boards), 1x50W (CPU), 1x25W (FPGA)
- CPU Intel Low Power Quad Core
- RAM 8GB
- Library Storage Capacity 2X 2.5"
Compartments (User-Installable
Storage)
- SSD for System & Cache 480GB NVME
- Data USB Ports 2X USB 3.0 (Rear)
- Software Suite Aurender Conductor,
A30 Manager
- Ethernet Port
- Double-Isolated Gigabit LAN
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Yes (Super Capacitors)
- Power Consumption Play (47W), Peak
(80W), Standby (6W)
- CD Ripping Capability N/A
Audio Specifications
- Volume Control Relay-Based R2R
Stereo Attenuator -64dB ~ 0dB.,
Velocity Sensitive Operation
- Analog Outputs XLR (Balanced)
- DAC Chipset AKM 4497 - Dual-Mono
- Audio Word Clock OCXO
- Analog Outputs Supported Format
PCM: Up to 32-bit / 768 kHz; DSD: Up
to DSD512
- Digital Outputs N/A
- SPDIF & AES/EBU Output Supported
Format N/A
- Digital Inputs 1X Coax RCA, 1X
Coax BNC, 2X Optical/Toslink
- Headphone Section 1 x 1/4" (6.5mm)
Unbalanced
- Master Clock Input Coaxial BNC 75Ω
- 10MHz
- MQA Support MQA Full-Decoder On
Board
- Compatible Formats DSD (DSF, DFF),
WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE and
others
- DSD-to-PCM Conversion N/A
Amplifier Specifications
- Amplifier Module 2x Purifi 1ET400A
Class D Amplifier Module in
Dual-Mono
Configuration
- Rated Power Output 200 W into 8
ohms / 350 W into 4 ohms
- THD (20Hz-20kHz) 0.003 % (1W to
200 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)
- Damping Factor 800 (ref. 8Ω 20 Hz
to 6.5 kHz)
- Output Impedance <65μΩ @ 1kHz
- Power Configuration Full linear &
Dual-Mono - 2 x 400VA Audio grade
Toroidy toroidal
transformers
- Power Supply Filter Capacitors
Total 80,000uF ( 40,000 uF / channel)
- Binding Posts WBT nextgen™ pole
terminal - Signal conductor made of
pure copper
Physical Specifications
- Dimensions: 16.93"W x 14.2"D x
5.9"H
- Weight: 57.3 lb
- Material: Machined Aluminum
Chassis
- Front Panel Display: 8.8" 1920 x
480 Wide IPS Color LCD |