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Auralic Aries (Hardware) - Impressions and Information


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Just upgraded to the firmware version 1.5. Problems with hiccups and stuttering while playing Qobuz have been solved, now playing smoothly. Also a problem where Aries lost contact with the App seems to be resolved. I can only compare SQ with my Squeezebox touch (with Triode EDO plug-in): SQ notably more smooth in highs, bass seems to extend further and is more "intelligible", soundstage big with very good placements of instruments and voices, general sound impression very stable and authoritative.

 

Am curious too to the impressions of others!

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Before Aries I had three different setups:

- Logitech Transporter to pre-amp

- Windows 8 with JRiver to Auralic Vega DAC

- MacBook Pro with Audirvana+ to Auralic Vega DAC

 

Aries is better than each of these previous setups. Any sign of fatiguing is gone. Highs are extended but smooth, lows are very well defined, instrument placement is excellent, sound stage higher and deeper than before, and voices have come into their own space, making it easier to listen to lyrics (I can even hear what Bob Dylan is actually singing!). Despite some glitches in hardware and software, this is all ways better than ever before.

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Before Aries I had three different setups:

- Logitech Transporter to pre-amp

- Windows 8 with JRiver to Auralic Vega DAC

- MacBook Pro with Audirvana+ to Auralic Vega DAC

 

Aries is better than each of these previous setups. Any sign of fatiguing is gone. Highs are extended but smooth, lows are very well defined, instrument placement is excellent, sound stage higher and deeper than before, and voices have come into their own space, making it easier to listen to lyrics (I can even hear what Bob Dylan is actually singing!). Despite some glitches in hardware and software, this is all ways better than ever before.

Your elaborations are highly appreciated, Marky :)

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Marky-Appreciate the update.

 

Me too.

 

Which Aries do you have Marky? The one with the external PSU?

Digital:  Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120

Amp & Speakers:  Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T

Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256

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I'm interested in the SQ of the $600 less expensive Aries LE. Will Chris and Ted struggle to hear a difference between the standard and move-up model or will it be apparent like night and day? I will just have to wait.

2 Ch stereo

Auralic Aries>Wireworld AES>Kitsune Holo Spring DAC L3>Van Den Hul-The Second balance cable>Sonic Euphoria (fully balance autoformer)>Van Den Hul-The Second balance cable>D-Sonic M3-1200S-A (Anaview AMS1000-2600)>Synergistic Tesla Accelerator cable>Ohm 3000 speakers plus Omni Harmonizer super tweeter

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Do you have a SOtM USB card or some other specialist USB card on the Windows 8 machine?

 

Before Aries I had three different setups:

- Logitech Transporter to pre-amp

- Windows 8 with JRiver to Auralic Vega DAC

- MacBook Pro with Audirvana+ to Auralic Vega DAC

 

Aries is better than each of these previous setups. Any sign of fatiguing is gone. Highs are extended but smooth, lows are very well defined, instrument placement is excellent, sound stage higher and deeper than before, and voices have come into their own space, making it easier to listen to lyrics (I can even hear what Bob Dylan is actually singing!). Despite some glitches in hardware and software, this is all ways better than ever before.

Main listening (small home office):

Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments.

Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three .

Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup.
Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. 

All absolute statements about audio are false :)

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Hallo evryone :)

Thanks for the utdate on Aeries Marky, it looks(sounds) like a winner.

Have been using Auralic Vega for some time now with Macmini and Audirvana, and cant wait to get my Aeris. It was suposed to be in shop late last week, but has not arived yet.

Is USB the prefered connection?

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Some help would be appreciated. I’m running a Macbook Pro with Audirvana + into my Antelope Zodiac DAC, and the Macbook’s hard drive is on its last legs. So I need to upgrade this. It seems I have some options:

 

A) upgrade the Pro with a SSD (not able to do this myself), keep everything else (cheapest option)

B) buy a new Macmini, upgrade with SSD

C) buy Auralic Aries

 

I am currently having some trouble with the Lightning app, as it confuses some album and tracks titles, and the album art seems hit or miss. I am no fan of iTunes, but at least I am able to edit album art and edit metadata, which I am not able to do if I use Minimserver.

 

My immediate questions are these:

Does the Aries sound noticeably better than the Macbook Pro or mini?

Is there a way to edit metadata in a upnp system like Minimserver?

Thanks for your help. Learning a lot.

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Do you have a SOtM USB card or some other specialist USB card on the Windows 8 machine?

 

Key question! Very interested to hear from those with fully audio-tweaked computers vs. Aries

 

If you start out with a setup that has not cleaned up the USB output (e.g. through SoTM/PPA/IFI) or to a slightly lesser extent powered by an LPSU, and has a fan (electrical/EMI noise), likely those are big contributing factors to the improvement you are hearing in the Aries.

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Some help would be appreciated. I’m running a Macbook Pro with Audirvana + into my Antelope Zodiac DAC, and the Macbook’s hard drive is on its last legs. So I need to upgrade this. It seems I have some options:

 

A) upgrade the Pro with a SSD (not able to do this myself), keep everything else (cheapest option)

B) buy a new Macmini, upgrade with SSD

C) buy Auralic Aries

 

I am currently having some trouble with the Lightning app, as it confuses some album and tracks titles, and the album art seems hit or miss. I am no fan of iTunes, but at least I am able to edit album art and edit metadata, which I am not able to do if I use Minimserver.

 

My immediate questions are these:

Does the Aries sound noticeably better than the Macbook Pro or mini?

Is there a way to edit metadata in a upnp system like Minimserver?

Thanks for your help. Learning a lot.

 

hi Wylie - can't help with 1 or 2, but the album art issue seems to be common. More detail on the other thread in CA, specifically on LDS.

 

ATB, Ken

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Some help would be appreciated. I’m running a Macbook Pro with Audirvana + into my Antelope Zodiac DAC, and the Macbook’s hard drive is on its last legs. So I need to upgrade this. It seems I have some options:

 

A) upgrade the Pro with a SSD (not able to do this myself), keep everything else (cheapest option)

B) buy a new Macmini, upgrade with SSD

C) buy Auralic Aries

 

I am currently having some trouble with the Lightning app, as it confuses some album and tracks titles, and the album art seems hit or miss. I am no fan of iTunes, but at least I am able to edit album art and edit metadata, which I am not able to do if I use Minimserver.

 

My immediate questions are these:

Does the Aries sound noticeably better than the Macbook Pro or mini?

Is there a way to edit metadata in a upnp system like Minimserver?

Thanks for your help. Learning a lot.

 

In regards to the editing of Meta data, I use JRIVER to edit and manage the metadata for my albums. All the albums are stored on my NAS in the music folder that is accessible both by JRIVER and Minimserver. Changes I make via JRIVER are reflected in Minimserver.

 

Barr

Silver Circle Audio | Roon | Devialet | Synology | Vivid Audio | Stillpoint Aperture | Auralic | DH Labs

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Yes, every thread has "that guy" who asks the silliest of questions. Until I get the hang of this stuff, I am THAT guy I guess.

 

I just received my Aries LE. It has everything I need with the exception of the power cord that goes from the "wall" to the supply. Am I missing something I am supposed to have? Is that my responsibility to supply that piece of the puzzle? And if so, is that typical???

 

Thanks!

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Yes, every thread has "that guy" who asks the silliest of questions. Until I get the hang of this stuff, I am THAT guy I guess.

 

I just received my Aries LE. It has everything I need with the exception of the power cord that goes from the "wall" to the supply. Am I missing something I am supposed to have? Is that my responsibility to supply that piece of the puzzle? And if so, is that typical???

 

Thanks!

 

Hmm. That's strange. I would like to know the answer to this.

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Hmm. That's strange. I would like to know the answer to this.

 

Yeah, I even referred back to the images that another member shared of the device and power supply just after opening the box, and in that photo I don't see a power cord either. That's certainly not definitive, but to me it's a bummer and surprising if it's not included. To me, one cornerstone of the way they are marketing this product is its simplicity and ease of use.

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Yeah, I even referred back to the images that another member shared of the device and power supply just after opening the box, and in that photo I don't see a power cord either. That's certainly not definitive, but to me it's a bummer and surprising if it's not included. To me, one cornerstone of the way they are marketing this product is its simplicity and ease of use.

 

Not to mention the letdown knowing you can't use it right away if you don't have a cord available.

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Not to mention the letdown knowing you can't use it right away if you don't have a cord available.

 

Well, let me ask another silly question. I have a power cord here that says "300V" on it. The Auralic PSU is designated as 120V.

 

Can I use the power cord I have?? I wasn't kidding when I said I have very little understanding about this stuff!

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Well, let me ask another silly question. I have a power cord here that says "300V" on it. The Auralic PSU is designated as 120V.

 

Can I use the power cord I have?? I wasn't kidding when I said I have very little understanding about this stuff!

Yes you can use that. That is the voltage rating

W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs

 

Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos

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