Aurender A1000

"It isn't a particularly characterful unit, but that's a good thing, being tonally balanced and unusually even-handed"

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Aurender has been in the streaming game longer than most, and that experience shines through in the A1000. There is an impressive maturity about this product, from its build to the stutter-free way in which it operates. Best of all, it sounds good enough to make that hefty price tag seem entirely reasonable.

The basic template of a music streamer is pretty much set at this point, and the Aurender A1000 meets all expectations while adding its own twist. It will pull music files from any storage on your home network or attached to its rear-panel USB Type A socket, play internet radio, features Connect versions of Tidal, Spotify and Qobuz, and offers a range of digital inputs.

It is a compact unit that is around a third narrower than typical 43cm wide components. The aluminium casework feels rigid and nicely finished. There is a slick professionalism about the way this product feels and works that inspires confidence.

The front-panel full-colour 6.9in display makes it easy to navigate around the A1000's various settings. Of course, most people will use the dedicated app to make changes, but it is still nice to have confirmation of actions from the unit itself.

The front panel is cleanly designed and contains just the basics as far as controls go. The back panel packs in the usual range of USB Type B, coaxial and optical digital inputs alongside the increasingly common HDMI ARC that helps to integrate your hi-fi with your television. There is a pair of USB Type A sockets, one for sound output and the other for external storage. As would be expected, this Aurender will connect wirelessly or wired to your home network.

aptX HD Bluetooth is also on the menu. While this wireless connection will never be our first choice where sound quality is concerned, it is well worth having for convenience, even though the inclusion of Apple AirPlay and Google Cast means there are alternatives which can be used instead.