Alpha Audio speaks with Aurender at High End Munich 2023 about their brand new AP20, the company's first all-in-one streamer with a built-in power amplifier.
Alpha Audio · May 2023
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For years, the ultimate audio dream has been a single component that does everything without compromise. The Aurender AP20 is that dream, fully realized. This is the definitive "just add speakers" solution, a magnificent all-in-one instrument that masterfully combines a reference-level caching music server, a high-resolution streamer, a state-of-the-art dual-mono DAC, and a massively powerful dual-mono integrated amplifier. By integrating the world-renowned Purifi 1ET400A amplifier modules and Aurender's signature technologies for noise isolation and precision timing, the AP20 delivers a sound of breathtaking purity, control, and musical realism. It is the uncompromising, elegant heart of a truly world-class audio system.
The AP20 represents the absolute pinnacle of system integration, eliminating the need for separate components and the interconnects that join them. At its heart is a state-of-the-art amplifier section built around two Purifi 1ET400A modules in a true dual-mono configuration. This groundbreaking Class D technology delivers a staggering 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms with vanishingly low distortion and an iron-fisted grip over any loudspeaker. By integrating this power directly with Aurender's renowned server, streamer, and DAC, the signal path is dramatically shortened, preserving a level of purity and immediacy that is simply breathtaking.
The AP20’s extraordinary performance is built on a foundation of uncompromising dual-mono design. This philosophy extends from the massive power supply—with two 400VA toroidal transformers for the left and right amplifier channels and separate linear supplies for the audio boards—all the way to the dual AKM 4497 DACs. This complete separation ensures zero interaction or crosstalk between the channels, resulting in a soundstage of breathtaking width, depth, and pinpoint focus. Volume is controlled by a precision relay-based R2R attenuator, which, unlike digital volume controls, preserves the full resolution of the music at any listening level.
The AP20 is engineered to create a profoundly silent background from which music can emerge. This begins with the OCXO clock, a reference-grade oscillator that provides a timing reference of breathtaking precision, virtually eliminating the jitter that can cloud musical detail. This precision is protected by multiple layers of noise suppression, including a double-isolated LAN port to block interference from your router and Aurender's signature caching playback, which plays music from a silent SSD while the main storage drive is asleep. The entire system is safeguarded by a super capacitor-based UPS, ensuring perfect stability and safety.
Despite its immense internal complexity, the AP20 is a joy to use. The stunning, 8.8-inch full-color IPS display on the front panel provides a beautiful, at-a-glance view of your music, rendering album art in vibrant detail. All of this power is controlled by the acclaimed Aurender Conductor app for iOS and Android. Conductor is a rich, intuitive interface that makes managing a vast music library—whether from your local drives or from streaming services like TIDAL and Qobuz—an absolute pleasure. It is the perfect fusion of powerful hardware and elegant, user-friendly software.
The Listening Room Difference
When you shop with The Listening Room, you get more than just gear. As a third-generation, family-run business with a passion for music and decades of experience, we offer personalized service that goes far beyond the sale. Call, text, or email, and you’ll get a real human who knows this equipment inside and out. From in-store demos to curated home system design and wide-radius delivery, we’re here to help you get the absolute best out of your purchase.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Ethernet Port | Double-Isolated Gigabit LAN |
| Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) | Yes (Super Capacitors) |
| Audio Specifications | |
| Volume Control | Relay-Based R2R Stereo Attenuator -64dB ~ 0dB |
| 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 Inputs | 1X Coax RCA, 1X Coax BNC, 2X Optical/Toslink |
| Headphone Section | 1 x 1/4″ (6.5mm) Unbalanced |
| MQA Support | MQA Full-Decoder On Board |
| Compatible Formats | DSD (DSF, DFF), WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, APE and others |
| 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 Supply Filter Capacitors | Total 80,000uF ( 40,000 uF / channel) |
| Binding Posts | WBT nextgen™ pole terminal – Signal conductor made of pure copper |
Alpha Audio speaks with Aurender at High End Munich 2023 about their brand new AP20, the company's first all-in-one streamer with a built-in power amplifier.
Alpha Audio · May 2023
Let's cut to the chase, I absolutely love the Aurender AP20. When I'm not in my listening room, I think about which albums I still need to hear played through it and I daydream about listening to my favorite music. When I walk up the stairs and enter the room, I have zero doubts that I'll hear this music, with fantastic sound quality, as soon as I tap play.
,Audiophile Style · February 2024
The AP20 evolves from the company's A20 Reference Analog-Output Server, charging an extra $7,700 and twenty-six pounds heavier for the new class D output stage. Under the chassis, a pair of the Danish Purifi 1ET400A analog class D amplification modules runs in a dual-mono, fully linear configuration.
,Dagogo · August 2025