Home Review Ayon Sigma and NW-T DSD

Review Ayon Sigma and NW-T DSD

0

Pros

  • Sounds very nice
  • Very easy installation
  • Looks very special... ...and it is...

Cons

  • No decent Android app
  • ... and no ROON as an alternative

Price: € 5150

AYON NW-T SIGMA

AYON NW-T Network Transport

Contents

The NW-T is a so-called network bridge, a type similar to the dCS Network Bridge we recently tested. On the Network Bridge you connect your network and/or a USB disk. You connect to music services like Tidal and Spotify or use – if supported – Roon as a platform. If necessary, Apple Airplay if that’s what makes you happy (we don’t recommend it due to loss of musicality).

The NW-T works with a UPnP server protocol (Universal Plug and Play). Unfortunately ROON doesn’t see the Ayon and if we have to believe the importer there are no plans. That doesn’t necessarily have to be a disadvantage if the manufacturer has a good app of its own. However, that’s a point, because as far as we know AYON doesn’t have an app for Android for the NW-T yet.

We connect the AYON NW-T to the network, connect the device to the DAC (Ethernet cable) using the supplied i2S cables. Finding the on/off button is just a little thing; it is located at the bottom of the chassis. For the rest, the installation is flawles. Once turned on, the NW-T instantly recognises our media libraries (Synology, Qnap and our Plex server) and we can listen to music with the remote or the buttons on the NW-T.

Artwork and other information appears neatly on the display. It is very pleasant when a complex device like the NW-T can be operated without a manual and other tricks.

The AYON NW-T reads nearly every digital audio format. From PCM to DSD. And it can also send it all ‘native’ to a corresponding dac, let’s say the Sigma. DSD can be streamed native or via DOP. These are different outputs, so be careful when connecting.

AYON NW-T SIGMA

Operate

The operation can be done on the AYON itself, but via an App is of course easier. Unfortunately there is no proprietary app on the Android platform. At least, there is no Android app that works. There is an app for iOS.

We use BubbleUPnP from the Android store. And that works flawlessly. We can also stream Tidal and Qobuz to the NW-T. Bubble is a very nice app which enables you to create long playlists (paid service).

Sound

The NW-T plays with ease, generosity and grandeur. The sound signature is rich and holographic. It performs better than the Metrum Ambre we have as a reference. And honestly, the difference is not subtle when you switch between the two. The Ambre plays neatly – super tight and fair – but the AYON just goes a step further in terms of sound stage in terms of size, precision and richness. Hearing is believing.

Especially vocals are very well reproduced by the NW-T. We here ample soupplesse and texture. Very good audibility of the lyrics is also something that stands out. We can almost hear the lips moving at Present Tense by Thom Yorke.

All in all

Soundwise and musically, the AYON NW-T is a beautiful device that will undoubtedly can compete with the top in the industry. Just add a nice app to and we are all cheers.

Specifications

Network-Player Ayon NW-T / DSD
Conversion rate 192kHz/24 bit & DSD64x/128x
Tube complement 6H14 & 6Z4
Dynamic range > 120dB
Digital output – DSD 3 x BNC ( DSD-L, DSD-R, WCLK )
Digital output – PCM S/PDIF, BNC, I2S, TosLink, AES/EBU
Digital inputs Front mounted USB type ‘A’ socket for USB “pen”/hard disk drive

Rear mounted USB type ‘A’ socket for USB “pen”/hard disk drive

Network digital inputs RP-SMA plug Wifi Aerial input (“wireless” network connection) 802.11b/g

UTP RJ45 10/100Mbps socket (“wired” network connection)

S/N ratio > 120 dB
Frequency response 10Hz – 50kHz +/- 0.3dB
Total harmonic distortion @ 1kHz < 0.002%
Remote control Yes
Dimension (Wide x Deep – incl. terminals x High – incl. feet) cm 48 x 36 x 12 cm
Weight, unit only 10 kg