The AP20 has comprehensive streaming settings that accommodates Qobuz, Tidal and Internet Radio, in addition to optional services such as AirPlay, Qobuz Connect, Roon and Spotify. Tidal and whatnot are not on my radar; I suppose I am like some in my generation that prefer disc ownership than streaming subscription. The idea of paying for the privilege of playing some music for ten years and by the time one cancels one owns nothing and all the music is gone is not appealing. Favorite recordings are something I want to own. I guess it must be appealing to some listeners and of certain music type to play as much music as one possibly can via streaming services during the course of a day.
Speaking for myself, classical music as recorded with certain conductors and ensembles distinguish itself from similar recordings and is therefore preferred, so I rip my CDs and SACDs, on top of downloading files from online retailers, and subscribing to the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall and the Deutsche Grammophon Stage+ for the live concert video performances. But even with the live concert broadcast, I am less and less enamored by the cinematographic focus on conductors and not the orchestra, although occasionally we do get choreographers and directors who know the music and direct the cameramen to capture relevant moments of instrumental groups. But I also know the organizers want to sell more tickets, and those seating behind the orchestra are nonsensical. Aside from facing the conductor, you are now hearing from behind the orchestra with the tympani and bass drum literally in your face. And the conductors themselves are not that watchable, save for a few highly methodical and communicative ones, like the late Claudio Abbado, or Sir Georg Solti; but even superstars like Karajan had his eyes closed during conducting. Conducting is not acting; conductors are not actors, and those that affect his audience through his art are far and few in between.
Speaking of conductors, in the hands of conductors of the last century, like Wilhelm Furtwangler, Arturo Toscanini, Bruno Walters, Herbert von Karajan, Georg Solti, Kiril Kondrashin, Ernest Ansermet, to name a few, the music they play became a living thing, resplendent in suspense and drama. Abbado (1933-2014) belonged in the latter part of that generation, and his music carries vitality, and an unmistakable disciplinarian core. It is this core from which the foundation of music must develop, onto which structures of magnificence can then be molded into form. Regardless of arguments to the contrary, an ensemble without iron-forged discipline is not capable of greatness. The Berlin Philharmonic is famous for the discipline trained into it by Karajan. Orchestral music playing at the highest level resembles the military discipline. But even the mighty Berlin must give nods to the French ensemble of old, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Witness the staccato effects of the violins in the Mussorgsky “Night On Bald Mountain” in the 1959 recording by the ensemble with Ansermet conducting. Again, discipline demonstrated to perfection.
Nearly sixty pounds heavy, the AP20 has the largest footprint of any Aurender before it. Per Kelly, “the case work has been modified to hold the extra electronics (amp modules, power supply capacitors and dual toroidal transformers) and the machined aluminum feet are taller than any other feet supplied with Aurender products. This helps ensure adequate airflow beneath the chassis and keep operating temperatures low. Like other products, it is recommended to have 3-4 inches of space around the sides and top of the unit for optimal heat dissipation.”
The AP20 runs rather warm to the touch. On this, Justin: “The AP20 should actually run very cool and this is one of the key benefits of using Class D modules. In fact, I find that it runs noticeably cooler than our streaming DACs (A15/A20/A30). You can find [the operating temperature of your unit] by pressing/holding PLAY on the front panel for 7 seconds and the next screen will show the operating temp. Then tap the top/left button to change the display back to your preference.”
Following Kelly’s instruction, I found my unit to operate at 39C, equivalent to 102.2F, which is within the normal operating range.
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