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hemidemisemiquaver

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    Hemidemisemiquaver
  1. Chris posted some photos of the Auralic Aries G2. He said that he "can't wait to publish my (his) full review in the coming weeks". I hope that his review of the Vega G2 is not too far behind, as I am very interested in buying the two together.
  2. Is anyone else having problems with getting the radio to work since version 5.0 beta 2. It did work for me with Version 5.0 beta 1 but not now. Am I the only one that is having this problem ?
  3. Hi All, I turned on my Aries/Vega combination this morning and wondered why I did not a music library. I did a rescan thinking it was just a network glitch (they happen occasionally). Then I noticed that there was new beta version for beta participants. I played my usual favour tracks to see if the new kernel made any appreciable differences and i was totally blown away by the change. I had only a week ago upgraded both of my usb cables (connected HD to Aries & Aries to Vega) to Curious usb (0.8m) from my AQ Carbon set. The change in cables made a huge difference (which I wasn't really expecting). This change in software augments the improvement from the new cables. The biggest differences are better control in the bass, better separation and more 3-D soundstage. The cables cost me $760 while the software upgrade comes with the product. And I haven't even tried the web based upsampling option yet ! Great work Auralic !!
  4. Hi Jay Tee, I am a beta tester also and I was interested to see if these was any audio improvement using the Software Volume Control (SVC) function. I do not use a pre-amp in my system, but regulate the volume on my Auralic Vega dac usually keeping the setting between 60 to 70 (320 kbs internet radio) and 70 to 100 (16, 24 bit, DSD). I did find an appreciable improvement in now having the Vega dac aways at 100 (i.e. no bit truncation) and regulating the volume with the SVC. Like "mjb" I was iniatially concerned about the risk of sending "a full whack" to the speakers, especially as the SVC is very sensitive to any slight adjustment on the slider control (the volume doesn't change until you lift your finger off the iPad). My observations in the improvement in sound quality is a wider soundstage and tighter control in the bass. There is also more separation between instruments & voices using the Vega at 100. I am not talking massive improvements (cacheing into the Aries was the big one), but I still believe it is a worthwhile improvement and definitely trying for yourself.
  5. Hi atletico, maybe it is just the power of suggestion after reading your comments, but I also believe there is a slight increase in warmth to the sound with the new 4.1 beta 1. If there is a change in the quality of sound it is somewhat of a surprise, as there was no mention of any intent to improve the sound quality in the notes attached to this new version, more about improving compatibility, etc.
  6. Hi David, No, you are not hearing things. I have only recently purchased this download, hence my late response. The EQ is definitely not right and the result is no life in the music. I have compared the DSD to the ToAFC tracks on the "Essential Alan Parsons Project" (2007) which is 'only' 16 bit and I definitely prefer this version more than the recent DSD version. I am not anti-DSD as I have a number of very good DSD albums, but this DSD effort is not worth the money. I am now contemplating downloading the 24/88 version from HiResAudio to see if it is an improvement on the tracks on the Essential Alan Parson Project.
  7. Hi mourip, I read your comments with interest as I also thought both balanced & unbalanced outputs were powered by the Orfeo modules (inspired by Neve8078 analog console’s circuit design.) I use my XLR outputs on the Vega to supply my Burson headphone amp into Hifiman HE-500's. I use a pair of Cardas XLR to RCA adaptor to do this. My main system has the Vega running as the preamp into a pair of monoblocks power amps using EL34 output valves. When I found out that the unbalanced output did not use the Orfeo module, but OP amps (very good ones at that), I thought I would try swapping the Vega analogue outputs to see how my speaker system sounded using the XLR outputs. It was smooth, very smooth, TOO smooth ! The top end seemed roll off and some of the life/excitement was missing from the music. I listened to several well known tracks and decided to go back to the unbalanced output going to my speaker system. Perhaps in another system the outcome might be different. My EL34 power amps and my Sonus Faber speakers are a very "smooth" combination already. Perhaps there is an impedence mismatch between the input impedence of my valve power amps and the output impedence of the balanced outputs of the Vega. I am running a pair of 5.5 metres (17 feet) of Cardas Golden Reference interconnects which might also be having an affect on the sound. Bottom line is that I would compare very carefully each output in your system as they do sound different.
  8. Hi sydlow, I have the Aries connected to my Vega via an Audioquest Carbon usb cable. Vega has the clock set on "Exact" and the filter is "Mode 4" with DAC output delay time set at 5 seconds. When I listen to Linn Radio at 320kbs and Radiotunes stations at 128 kbs I get no audio breakup (static or clicks). I hope this helps your investigation into the problem you are having.
  9. Hi Sal1950, Here is the link to the album on HiresAudio ......... https://www.highresaudio.com/artist.php?abid=447879 I find this company has not only good prices, but also an interesting collection of music. Like you, the more competition then better prices for us customers.
  10. Hi Edmontoncanuck, I simply use the Hola app for Windows and log in to HiResAudio and do the purchase via PayPal. I understand from somewhere else on the Computer Audiophile forums that you could turn off Hola once the transaction has been completed then do the download without having to go via Hola. I thought you could buy it from HD Tracks in the US, but I found the price high compared to HiResAudio.
  11. Just downloaded this album from HiResAudio in Germany (for only US$16). I could not find any reviews for the high resolution version anywhere, only a couple of useful reviews on Amazon (thank you W. R. Boling) for the redbook version. To put my review in perspective, I already own "the very best of LINDA RONSTADT" (2002), two albums from Japan digitally remastered in 2010 of "Simple Dreams" & "Hasten Down The Wind" and the 24/96 version of the 2013 remastered "Heart Like A Wheel". The remastering results by John Boylan on "Just One Look" are the best I have ever heard some of Linda's songs. The soundstage is bigger and there is more separation between individual instruments & voices. I have no idea of the DR numbers, but it still sounds very dynamic. There is more information (and energy) in the upper midrange and treble. I also find it very "crankable" on all tracks, not just the favourites. In the past, on some tracks, all that mid/high energy had me turning down the volume - NOT on this album. This download is highly recommended.
  12. I have been waiting patiently for the introduction of Lightning DS version 2 for some time now. After a few minor hiccups with Apple IOS software last weekend, it is now up and running. I read about some of the problems some users were having with the new version of Lightning so I thought I would sit back and wait for the bugs to be ironed out from users' feedback to Auralic. This morning I took the plunge and deleted my Lightning DS v1.8 app from my IPad Mini 2 and uploaded the new version. It turned out to be the smoothest operation since I first installed my Auralic Aries. I do not use an NAS, just a 2TB external hard drive plugged directly into the Aries, so my set up is as simple as can be. I also use an Auralic Vega dac and chose not to use any other third party software (e.g. Miniserver). I do enjoy listening to Internet radio, so I was worried that some people were having trouble setting up their favourite stations in the new version. I simply clicked on the search button - typed in "Radio Tunes" - clicked on the radio icon (top of page) and hit enter. Up came all the Radio Tunes stations available. I simply clicked on the "favourites" button (the yellow star) and they were all saved. Previously, I had to search manually through the different music genres and find my favourites. The new software is MUCH faster than v1.8 and I noticed the album art is a much higher resolution, even in the Library view. I am now very glad I took the plunge and updated. Congratulations to The Auralic team on an excellent job !
  13. I downloaded "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" & "Still Crazy After all These Years" from HDTracks. I have had "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" since it came out on vinyl, Australian CD and my last cd copy was the Blu-Spec (2004?) version from CD Japan. For a fair comparison, I have ripped the Blu-Spec CD version to my external hard drive which is connected directly to my Auralic Aries and compared this to the downloaded version. At first, I thought it sounded a bit laid back, but by half way through the album I realised how natural it sounded (both voices & instruments) and still with great detail. On Loves Me Like a Rock when one of the backing singers sings the lead in with "Arha-arha, That's that's the groove" it sounds like he is in the room. Never heard it that good before. I have since deleted the Blu-Spec copy from the hard drive.
  14. Hello JDOz I read the comments from bplexico about adding new music to an external hard drive connected directly to the Aries. I also have a PC and could not get the computer to share with the Aries. When I go into the file sharing options I click on the "Lightning Server (Auralic Aries)" icon which opens "Windows media Player". Under other Libraries I see the Lightning Server library. When I navigate down to albums, artists, etc. and click on one, I get the message "The remote media library did not allow the connection. Please contact the device manufacturer for more information". In your last comment, you say that you have it sorted. Any clues as to what I am not doing correctly ?
  15. Hi mwheelerk, I have both the original cd (HDCD) and the 24/48 HDTracks download. The track written by Jimi Hendrix "May This be Love" is a real torture test for any system, yet sounds the best I have ever heard. On my favourite track "Sweet Old World", the backing vocals by Neil Young is clearly separated from the lead vocal. I downloaded Love's "Forever Changes" at the same time as Wrecking Ball and while I am in two minds about that download, Wrecking Ball on 24/48 is a definite improvement over the 1995 cd version.
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