Aurender A15 Music Server Streamer

The One-Box Aurender, Taken Seriously Upmarket

Aurender's A-series puts a server, streamer, and DAC in a single chassis. The A15 gives that idea the full flagship treatment. There is dual-mono conversion, an FPGA-refined master clock, and a 26-pound machined aluminum build. One box on your rack becomes the whole digital front end. A serious one, at that.

Conversion runs through two AKM AK4490 DACs in dual-mono, one per channel. There is full MQA decoding. Hi-res PCM reaches 32-bit and 768kHz, and native DSD512. An FPGA-based clock cuts jitter to under 100 femtoseconds.

Playback follows Aurender's caching architecture. Music copies to a 240GB solid-state cache before it plays. That keeps the signal clear of network traffic and drive noise. Two rear bays take your own 2.5-inch drives, up to 8TB each. The library can reach 16TB.

Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, AirPlay and internet radio all stream through Aurender's Conductor app. It is widely regarded as the finest control software in high-end audio, and it is the reason many owners stay with the brand.

Engineering You Can Hear in the Silence

The A15 runs on a linear power supply backed by super capacitors. That is an uninterruptible supply. If the power fails, the unit shuts down safely and your library is protected. The Gigabit Ethernet port is double-isolated, to keep network noise out. A 6.9-inch color display shows album art across the room.

Outputs cover balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, with variable level control. The A15 can feed a power amp directly. There is a USB audio output too, for an external DAC someday. Unlike most servers, it also takes outside sources. One optical and two coaxial inputs let a CD transport or a TV borrow that dual-mono DAC.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Barry Jones of SoundStage! Australia, in a March 1, 2023 review, wrote: "The A15 is something special. The sound was big, bold, oozing detail and great dynamics," praising how it could "unveil subtle textures that had otherwise remained hidden."

The Audio Tailor, in a December 23, 2024 review, called the A15's presentation "nothing short of remarkable," with "excellent spatial separation and depth," concluding it "represents a masterful fusion of cutting-edge digital technology and audiophile-grade sound quality."

Who Is This Server Best For?

• You want a flagship-grade one-box source — dual-mono conversion and reference clocking, no separate DAC to buy.
• You have a large music library — up to 16TB of internal storage serves your files alongside streaming.
• You want more services than most Aurenders — Spotify Connect and AirPlay join Tidal and Qobuz here.
• You have digital sources to feed it — optical and coaxial inputs turn the A15 into your system's DAC.
• You want the buying to stop here — with the converter, the storage and the streaming all inside, an amplifier and a pair of speakers finish the system. See our integrated amplifiers.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the XLR or RCA outputs to your amplifier, or use variable output to feed a power amp directly. Join your network over Ethernet, install drives in the rear bays if you have a file library, and manage everything from the Conductor app on iPad, iPhone, or Android. A CD transport or TV connects through the coaxial and optical inputs, and the USB audio output stands ready if you ever add an external DAC.

The caching engine handles the rest, buffering music to solid state before it plays.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the A15:

• Integrated Amplifier: The natural partner for this complete source — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Floorstanding Speakers: A flagship source deserves full-range speakers — see our Floorstanding Speakers.
• Cables: Quality XLR or RCA interconnects carry the signal onward — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: Give this 26-pound component a proper home — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the A15 include a DAC?

Yes, dual AKM AK4490 chips in dual-mono configuration with full MQA decoding, feeding XLR and RCA outputs.

What does "caching" mean?

The A15 copies upcoming music to its solid-state cache and plays from there, isolating playback from network traffic and drive noise.

Can it store my music library?

Yes. Two rear bays accept 2.5" drives up to 8TB each, 16TB total (drives sold separately).

What streaming services does it support?

Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and internet radio through the Aurender Conductor app.

Can other components use its DAC?

Yes. One optical and two coaxial inputs accept digital sources like a CD transport or TV.

Can it drive a power amp directly?

Yes. The XLR and RCA outputs offer variable level control, so no separate preamp is needed.

See It in Action

Big Kids Toys AV reviews the A15's sound and standout design:

AV Atmos tours the A15's streaming features and built-in DAC:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
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Learn More

Want to learn more about music servers, DACs, or building a digital system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.