Aurender A20

Aurender A20 – reference network player with dual-mono DAC and headphone amplifier

The Aurender A20 network player is a reference all-in-one digital source combining a dual-mono DAC, streamer, preamplifier and headphone amplifier — built by South Korean manufacturer Aurender on the foundation of the A30. The Aurender A20 network player pairs the dual-mono AKM4497 DAC chip — identical to that found in the flagship A30 — with four discrete toroidal transformers, an FPGA clock architecture with sub-100 femtosecond precision and a supercapacitor UPS, all housed in a chassis with an 8.8-inch wide IPS display.

Dual-Mono AKM4497 DAC with Four Discrete Toroidal Transformers

The AKM4497 dual-mono DAC configuration represents the finest integrated DAC design Aurender has ever produced. Four discrete toroidal transformers provide separate, shielded linear power to the server, digital outputs and each DAC mono channel individually — identical to the architecture in the flagship A30. Thanks to the supercapacitor UPS, the A20 is protected against abrupt power loss and shuts down in a controlled manner. Consequently, decoding of PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and native DSD512 always occurs under optimal conditions.

OCXO Clock and Upsampling

For the most precise timing, the A20 combines an OCXO clock with an FPGA precision clock system — delivering sub-100 femtosecond jitter reduction for a musical, rhythmically accurate presentation. Optionally, non-DSD files can be upsampled to 705.6/768 kHz for the analogue outputs; alternatively, the default setting leaves the bitstream entirely untouched. Moreover, Critical Listening Mode disables the display, front panel controls and all non-essential background processes for an even more transparent sonic result.

Integrated Headphone Amplifier and Versatile Connectivity

In addition to balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, the A20 features an integrated headphone amplifier with a 6.3 mm output. Four digital inputs — coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC and two optical Toslink — allow connection of a CD transport, television or other digital sources, each benefiting from the A20's superior DAC. Two storage bays each accommodate a 2.5-inch SSD or HDD up to 8 TB, enabling a local music library of up to 16 TB in total.

Key Specifications

• Type: reference network player, streamer, DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier
• DAC: dual-mono AKM4497 with MQA full-decoder
• Processor: Intel low-power quad-core / 8 GB RAM
• Power supply: four discrete toroidal transformers + supercapacitor UPS
• Clock: OCXO and FPGA, sub-100 femtoseconds
• Analogue outputs: XLR balanced, RCA single-ended (variable or fixed)
• Headphone: 6.3 mm (unbalanced)
• Digital inputs: coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, 2× optical Toslink
• Digital output: USB Audio (isolated)
• Storage: 2× 2.5-inch SSD/HDD up to 8 TB each (optional, max. 16 TB)
• Upsampling: up to 705.6/768 kHz (optional)
• Streaming: TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, AirPlay
• Decoding: PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512 native
• Display: 8.8-inch IPS LCD 1920 × 480
• Dimensions: 429 × 356 × 112 mm
• Weight: 14.2 kg
• Origin: South Korea

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Aurender A20 network player and the A15?

The A20 uses the higher-specification AKM4497 DAC chip (versus AKM4490 in the A15) and furthermore adds an OCXO clock, supercapacitor UPS, integrated headphone amplifier and a larger 8.8-inch display. It also provides four digital inputs including BNC coaxial and optional upsampling functionality.

How does the A20 differ from the A30?

Both models share the same DAC architecture and sonic performance. The A30, however, includes a built-in CD ripper and library management, and comes factory-fitted with 10 TB HDD storage. The A20 instead offers two user-installable storage bays — making it the ideal choice for those who have no need for CD ripping functionality.

Can the Aurender A20 network player connect directly to a power amplifier?

Yes. The DAC-level volume control allows direct connection to a power amplifier or active loudspeakers — without an external preamplifier. Volume can be adjusted via the Conductor app, the front panel rotary control, or the supplied IR remote.