With Roon it is even easier. The S 10 II immediately is identified as Roon-device. The tonal differences between Roon and the UPnP based networkplayer variant are subtle but well audible. At „Galicia Flamenco“ with Gino D‘ Auri (Flamenco Passion FIM XRCD) Roon produces a “full-bodied” tonality and a beautiful feeling for the depth of the soundstage. On the other hand, the Flamenco-guitar loses a bit of articulation – the strings do not come plucked just as hard – and the tonal overall impression is less directly close to the source. Certainly, this again is a matter of taste. I find both variants with the S 10 II very convincing.

And what now for the proud owners of an “old” S 10? Well, there is no reason to despair. On the one hand the device still is outstanding and on the other hand within the scope of an upgrade-program Ayon offers a complete exchange against a brand-new S 10 II at a special price. Exchange, as the effort for an update of the old version is too big and the “Server” version cannot be upgraded at all. Interested parties should contact Ayon directly for details.