Auralic Aries Unboxing

Mike

Mike

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Aries with a DStream????

SSR would be a better match given the i2s output.

What is Mr Lumin doing frolicking with an Auralic? LoL
 
wisnon said:
Aries with a DStream????

SSR would be a better match given the i2s output.

What is Mr Lumin doing frolicking with an Auralic? LoL
Click to expand...

SSR is on its way.

Just experimenting. Sadly, the combo still can't touch the Lumin as I was A/B'ing last night, except for DSD. DSD on the DirectStream is excellent. However, Redbook/high res PCM sounds like someone pressed the Dolby button. But as I understand it, future upgrades to the DirectStream are imminent.

The Auralic is a fun little device. Really cool. The app is a little wonky, but it's got potential.
 
Just yanking your chain for more info. LoL

I only heard DSD on the DS before the FW update and hated it, so FW must have made a big difference. PCM was better then.

The i2S HDMI link will be quite interesting. The SSR is less feature packed but more "purist" than the Aries. I guess if one could afford it, it would be nice to have both....Aries for more casual listening and Tidal type streaming, SSR for critical listening to tryt to take on your TT setup. I was also told you should attend to the Aries with weighting on top and footers type tsuff on the base to eliminate virations. See the Aries tweak thread at Compaudiophile
 
Mike said:
the combo still can't touch the Lumin as I was A/B'ing last night
Click to expand...
Mike you have got me confused. Which combo couldn't touch which Lumin? What I would like to hear (or see on this forum) is renderer against renderer combined with a superb musical DAC let's say in the league of Norman's Lampi. The Aries, the SSR and heck, why not throw a Linn and Lumin in the battle.... No matter what we take let them all play as pure renderer (streamer). The DAC should be equal for all.
A shootout like this guy did in Hong Kong two years ago:
Linn Klimax DS/1 vs Akurate DS/1 vs Majik DS vs Lumin - Side-by-Side Comparison
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Just as a side note that guy had some impressive DAC's for the time:
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Hans,

I have the PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Auralic Aries (which turns your DAC into a streamer....or so their ad says! :) ) and the Sonore Signature Series Rendu (which I also use with the PS Audio DirectStream via i2s).

The Sonore with the DirectStream is excellent, but the lack of a proper app is frustrating and no Tidal.

The Auralic Aries is excellent too with the DirectStream (using Wireworld Platinum 7 USB), built in Tidal, good app (but not as good or as stable as the Lumin app), but sonically, the combo is not at the level of the similarly priced Lumin A1

I'm CURIOUS about the Aria Music Server (with DAC): Features aria music server Since its a brand I carry, I plan on getting a demo one day when funds allow.
 
Mike said:
Hans,

I have the PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Auralic Aries (which turns your DAC into a streamer....or so their ad says! :) ) and the Sonore Signature Series Rendu (which I also use with the PS Audio DirectStream via i2s).

The Sonore with the DirectStream is excellent, but the lack of a proper app is frustrating and no Tidal.

The Auralic Aries is excellent too with the DirectStream (using Wireworld Platinum 7 USB), built in Tidal, good app (but not as good or as stable as the Lumin app), but sonically, the combo is not at the level of the similarly priced Lumin A1

I'm CURIOUS about the Aria Music Server (with DAC): Features aria music server Since its a brand I carry, I plan on getting a demo one day when funds allow.
Click to expand...
Mike you must be living in heaven!
So did you try all three through the PS?
Even though the Lumin built-in DAC is just excellent we want to avoid all colorations and listen everything through the same DAC. Wouldn't it be cool if some of us could come together for a shootout like the Chinese guys? I hink that would be awesome!
 
Glareskin said:
Mike you must be living in heaven!
So did you try all three through the PS?
Even though the Lumin built-in DAC is just excellent we want to avoid all colorations and listen everything through the same DAC. Wouldn't it be cool if some of us could come together for a shootout like the Chinese guys? I hink that would be awesome!
Click to expand...

We had a big DAC shootout 18 months ago and it was a blast.

Yes, I've tried all three through the PS (Lumin was BNC2Coax), the Auralic was WW platinum 7 and the Sonore via i2s. I2S was sonically the best. usb was next and coax was third. That being said, switching back and forth between inputs with the same song playing between the DS and either player, the Lumin had a bigger, fuller sound. The DS though is one fine DAC, smooth sounding with nice focus.

To be honest, these digital shootouts are fun, but these products are often more alike than not. I often feel like I'm some judge asked to pick the tallest midget.

So, the convenience and flexibility and overall sonic quality of the Lumin makes it a winner in my books. And it's not just me. Lumin owners feel the same way. Messing around with multiple boxes, drives, POS Windows OS, is just a pain.

The only digital I've ever heard that really was amazing and head and shoulders above the other things I had at that time, was the EAR. The EAR Acute 4 stack intrigues me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
We had a big DAC shootout 18 months ago and it was a blast.

Yes, I've tried all three through the PS (Lumin was BNC2Coax), the Auralic was WW platinum 7 and the Sonore via i2s. I2S was sonically the best. usb was next and coax was third. That being said, switching back and forth between inputs with the same song playing between the DS and either player, the Lumin had a bigger, fuller sound. The DS though is one fine DAC, smooth sounding with nice focus.

To be honest, these digital shootouts are fun, but these products are often more alike than not. I often feel like I'm some judge asked to pick the tallest midget.

So, the convenience and flexibility and overall sonic quality of the Lumin makes it a winner in my books. And it's not just me. Lumin owners feel the same way. Messing around with multiple boxes, drives, POS Windows OS, is just a pain.

The only digital I've ever heard that really was amazing and head and shoulders above the other things I had at that time, was the EAR. The EAR Acute 4 stack intrigues me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Who won, Joe or Paul? :D :D :D
 
Mike said:
Hans,

I have the PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Auralic Aries (which turns your DAC into a streamer....or so their ad says! :) ) and the Sonore Signature Series Rendu (which I also use with the PS Audio DirectStream via i2s).

The Sonore with the DirectStream is excellent, but the lack of a proper app is frustrating and no Tidal.
Click to expand...

Why no Tiidal? They have cracked that code...

Computer Audiophile - Sonore Signature Series Rendu Review
 
Yup,

I forgot you dont have one…nowadays its essential in CompAudio like BNC cables are to analog. LoL
BubbleUPnP control point on Android
 
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