AAM Auralic Aries Mini

So...I have a question, that maybe users and/or dealers who hang here can answer:

I'm already a (faithful) TIDAL subscriber (BTW...it appears, they are starting to sell their music for download. Game changer!). The "free year" of TIDAL, you get with the AAM...has to be activated through the Lightning DS.

I mean...I guess I'll just go for it, and figure it out soon enough; but...

1) I wonder if it will let me, register my existing membership; or if I will have to, in essence, cancel that...and start a new account?

2) There's no chance...this will limit it...to the AAM only; is there?? I still have the Aurender and PC to stream TIDAL to, as well as the AAM.

I have to say...I think the AAM, is a pretty awesome little box; but I'm seeing some pretty damning feedback. Mostly about, coming in ~40% over projections...pre-order prices not being honored; and people, who either could give 2 figs about TIDAL...or, were already subscribers and are holding their breath, about how that's going to work out for them (::hand raised::)

Also...I guess Lightning DS, sucks on anything other than iOS; and Auralic has basically confirmed, take it or leave it...development on the Android app, is done! I mean...I'm totally anti-Apple; but I do have an iPad Mini, for the Main room. And I'm actually impressed, by the DSL so far (couple of quirks, and/or learning curve...because I've gotten used to the Aurender Conducter); but this is eventually moving to the Bedroom system...where I either have a Fire or Android phone, for control options. That'll be interesting.

Plus...everyone, seems to be clamoring for Roon compatibility; and Auralic is giving the ole "we're waiting for their code" line. Jury out.
 
CDLehner said:
So...I have a question, that maybe users and/or dealers who hang here can answer:

I'm already a (faithful) TIDAL subscriber (BTW...it appears, they are starting to sell their music for download. Game changer!). The "free year" of TIDAL, you get with the AAM...has to be activated through the Lightning DS.

I mean...I guess I'll just go for it, and figure it out soon enough; but...

1) I wonder if it will let me, register my existing membership; or if I will have to, in essence, cancel that...and start a new account?

2) There's no chance...this will limit it...to the AAM only; is there?? I still have the Aurender and PC to stream TIDAL to, as well as the AAM.

I have to say...I think the AAM, is a pretty awesome little box; but I'm seeing some pretty damning feedback. Mostly about, coming in ~40% over cost projections...pre-order prices not being honored; and people, who either could give 2 figs about TIDAL...or, were already subscribers and are holding their breath, about how that's going to work out for them (::hand raised::

Also...I guess Lightning DS, sucks on anything other than iOS; and Auralic has basically confirmed, take it or leave it...development on the Android app, is done! I mean...I'm totally anti-Apple; but I do have an iPad Mini, for the Main room. And I'm actually impressed, by the DSL so far (couple of quirks, and/or learning curve...because I've gotten used to the Aurender Conducter); but this is eventually moving to the Bedroom system...where I either have a Fire or Android phone, for control options. That'll be interesting.

Plus...everyone, seems to be clamoring for Roon compatibility; and Auralic is giving the ole "we're waiting for their code" line. Jury out.
Click to expand...

CD

any early impressions good or bad?

i know its a budget streamer but, seems to be sold out everywhere :weird:
 
PureVinyl said:
CD

any early impressions good or bad?

i know its a budget streamer but, seems to be sold out everywhere :weird:
Click to expand...

So far...early on...and overall; impressions are very positive. With some caveats, as I've mentioned.

1) If you don't care, or already subscribe and somehow are excluded...from the free year of TIDAL; it would be much more attractive, at $400...than $550.

2) As I said...I've only had it a few days, and only used the DS Lightning, from my iPad Mini. I've read...the app sucks on Android, and Auralic's position, which is like "screw Android...we don't don't think it's a viable platform"; is problematic I think.

But a) maybe they're assuming, everyone wants to get to Roon...so they're dedicating all efforts toward that (and I have to be honest; for all my digital knowledge...I have had a hard time, wrapping my head around Roon to this point. So...it's just a media-manager/server. A nice one, I get; but they want $120 a year for that? :huh:

And b) they're also working, on a web-based app; so it'll put the whole Android thing to rest.

So I would say...YMMV, depending on your circumstances. I plan to do a pretty full write-up; AAM as DAC/streamer, as streamer, as DAC...over on my page. I'll post a link, when I have more time under my belt.

EDIT- Oh...and Audio Advisor, looks like they're getting re-stocked 12/8; or I know a dealer, who had some left.
 
Echo Audio in Portland has them. Tell them I sent you their way. I bought one after listening to it for 60 seconds. A no brainer for a streamer. I asked them to order me the auralic linear power supply (good enough for their higher end dac then good enough for mini and I have had bad experiences with non-us built 3rd party power supplies before). I also ordered a 960 gb 2.5" solid state hard drive to put into it. Auralic states in their literature internal SSD should outperform USB hard drive and even NAS. So for under $1k (even less because I won't have to pay for my next year of Tidal) I get a media server and streamer and dac. Using Regen I will use this to feed my Chord Hugo and my Lampi. I have been waiting on the sidelines with servers and streamers and have been using my Mac and my SBTs. Auralic finally nailed footprint, functionality, cost and performance. A game changer. I now plan on selling my SBT (no dsd, and PITA to use Tidal) and will convert to multiple Minis.
 
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We do have one last unit, in white. Seems to be a hot item, we're getting frequent calls.
 
CDLehner said:
So far...early on...and overall; impressions are very positive. With some caveats, as I've mentioned.

1) If you don't care, or already subscribe and somehow are excluded...from the free year of TIDAL; it would be much more attractive, at $400...than $550.

2) As I said...I've only had it a few days, and only used the DS Lightning, from my iPad Mini. I've read...the app sucks on Android, and Auralic's position, which is like "screw Android...we don't don't think it's a viable platform"; is problematic I think.

But a) maybe they're assuming, everyone wants to get to Roon...so they're dedicating all efforts toward that (and I have to be honest; for all my digital knowledge...I have had a hard time, wrapping my head around Roon to this point. So...it's just a media-manager/server. A nice one, I get; but they want $120 a year for that? :huh:

And b) they're also working, on a web-based app; so it'll put the whole Android thing to rest.

So I would say...YMMV, depending on your circumstances. I plan to do a pretty full write-up; AAM as DAC/streamer, as streamer, as DAC...over on my page. I'll post a link, when I have more time under my belt.

EDIT- Oh...and Audio Advisor, looks like they're getting re-stocked 12/8; or I know a dealer, who had some left.
Click to expand...

There is light in the end of the tunnel for you Chris! Besides for the settings you don't need DSLightning. I don't like that either. It is ugly.
My favorite app for controlling my music is the Lumin app but I also use Linn's Kinsky and Kazoo. Basically you can use mostUPnP apps available.
The Lumin app is now also for Android.

This is how my set-up looks like. All the devices have a wired connection (CAT7). This works flawless.

Glareskin_audio_streaming.jpg
 
Hi all, new to forum. I thought this may be the thread to tag on to with a Tidal, lightning ds, auralic mini question. I bought and set up my mini with the lightning ds on a first gen ipad. The radio streaming works fine. I don't have my nas set up yet, so can't try that. I registered successfully with my free Tidal subscription, but when I try to log in on lightning ds, I get a "user name and password do not match" message. The login works on the tidal site so I know it's correct. Do I need to download tidal on the ipad? I thought lightning ds could access my account directly? I have a question in to tidal support but they are slow. If they want non- techies to mainstream this technology and buy the product/services the instructions and support could be improved. I have a feeling it is something simple-stupid I haven't done correctly. Thanks in advance.
 
asuny said:
Hi all, new to forum. I thought this may be the thread to tag on to with a Tidal, lightning ds, auralic mini question. I bought and set up my mini with the lightning ds on a first gen ipad. The radio streaming works fine. I don't have my nas set up yet, so can't try that. I registered successfully with my free Tidal subscription, but when I try to log in on lightning ds, I get a "user name and password do not match" message. The login works on the tidal site so I know it's correct. Do I need to download tidal on the ipad? I thought lightning ds could access my account directly? I have a question in to tidal support but they are slow. If they want non- techies to mainstream this technology and buy the product/services the instructions and support could be improved. I have a feeling it is something simple-stupid I haven't done correctly. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

So you are saying that using a web browser you can login to the Tidal site, correct?

However if you go into Lightning DS on your iPad, and select what should be Tidal ( icon with cloud and music staff inside it) and enter your login credentials it does not work, is the correct?

You do NOT need to download Tidal on the iPad, you are correct that you should be able to access your Tidal account directly through Lightning DS.

Barr
 
Yes, exactly. Not sure what's up. Still no response from Tidal. I have an iPad mini that I may try downloading lightning and going through set up again. Also the lightning ds dropped out while playing Internet radio. I could not get the app to pick up the lightning network on resetup. Very frustrating. Thanks for your reply.
 
Please double-check the password is correct on Lightning DS. If it is, change it in Tidal (via your web browser or Tidal app), then change it too in Lightning DS. Sometimes passwords get "out of sync" between Tidal and Lightning DS.
 
Successfully changed password although the settings icon doesn't have a prompt for password change like the support help indicates. I double checked new password via we browser login into Tidal. Still does not work in lightning ds login, same message. I downloaded tidal onto my iPad and everything works fine through the ipad. Not sure where to go now, unless lightning is not recognizing user name? I don't want to change that in Tidal. Still no response from Tidal. Thanks for your help, good thought. Any thing else? Also I re-set up the mini with lightning ds and Internet radio working fine so far.
 
You might want to send a question to Auralic support as it may the issue has to do with the Lightning Ds software and not Tidal. If you do have an extra iPad then I would try and see if the Tidal login works on that instead.

I assume your Aries Mini is on a wireless network?
 
Tidal sent me a new password and it worked. I am not sure if there was a missed step in my sign up for tidal. I never received a sign up password that you then change to your own. This is how most forums, etc work. I have asked for a clarification and will report back. Thanks for the help. Always nice to know you can get help from the community.
 
By the way I hooked up my new Naim Mu So over the weekend. Best sounding and best looking sound bar I have come across. And tidal and Spotify seamlessly integrated.
 
Good to know you had no issues. Just to wrap this up, I did not receive an explanation from either tidal or auralic as to what may have gone wrong. I will be changing my password to something other than the new one I received, so I will see if there are any further issues. Until then, thanks for your help.
 
Why does my Lightning DS say I'm on v2.4; when the latest release, is 3.2?

Isn't it supposed to update automatically??
 
The current release of Lightning DS is v2.4 ( the one that runs for example on your iPad )

The current release of Lightning Server, the firmware that runs on the Aries itself is v3.2

Further details can be found here.
 
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