Auralic Aries (Hardware) - Impressions and Information

[bhobba]

Hi Guys

 

This is the question alluded to above.  The person who has the Aries in his reference system set it up using his Iphone and we finally got it working properly with some effort and the help of a local tech.  Only trouble is people ring him on the Iphone which is inconvenient - you cant change music etc while he is using the phone.

 

I downloaded Lighting DS onto my Ipad but cant seem to get it working.  My  understanding is it should pick up the Aries Le and I just stream to it.   But it simply keeps giving the message something is wrong.  Do we need to sign in with his email and password first?  I have Bubble UpNp on my android phone and it works fine - it picks up the Aries as a renderer and it's easy from that point on.  But the lightning app has me flummoxed.  Can anyone help?

I left my Ipad at his place and will try again Monday - fingers crossed someone can give me some tips.

 

Thanks
Bill 

[Cornan]

21 minutes ago, bhobba said:

Hi Guys

 

This is the question alluded to above.  The person who has the Aries in his reference system set it up using his Iphone and we finally got it working properly with some effort and the help of a local tech.  Only trouble is people ring him on the Iphone which is inconvenient - you cant change music etc while he is using the phone.

 

I downloaded Lighting DS onto my Ipad but cant seem to get it working.  My  understanding is it should pick up the Aries Le and I just stream to it.   But it simply keeps giving the message something is wrong.  Do we need to sign in with his email and password first?  I have Bubble UpNp on my android phone and it works fine - it picks up the Aries as a renderer and it's easy from that point on.  But the lightning app has me flummoxed.  Can anyone help?

I left my Ipad at his place and will try again Monday - fingers crossed someone can give me some tips.

 

Thanks
Bill 

 

It sound that you are running LightningDS and Ligthing server on different networks. Make sure to use the same 5G Network for both the control point and the streamer. My guess is that you are running your Android on the 2,4G and Lightning server on 2,4G and the iOS tablet on 5G network or vice versa.

[bhobba]

1 hour ago, Cornan said:

 

It sound that you are running LightningDS and Ligthing server on different networks. Make sure to use the same 5G Network for both the control point and the streamer. My guess is that you are running your Android on the 2,4G and Lightning server on 2,4G and the iOS tablet on 5G network or vice versa.

 

The IPAD and Iphone are signed onto exactly the same network.

 

Could it be that you need to sign in with your ID before it picks up the Aries? 

 

That's all I can think of - will give that a go on Monday.

 

If that fails will be forced to set the thing up from scratch for the upteenth time - it has been a never ending frustration.  We got a tech and a network specialist in that sorted a few things out.   The network specialist replaced the router, the tech has installed his Aurilac many times and knows all the tricks eg if it doesn't set up the hot-spot lightning wi fi so you can enter your wifi details you have to press a button on the remote - things like that.  We thought it all sorted out - but now this has reared it ugly head.

 

Also the last time we set it up, for some reason, despite all the other times we set it up, we got this message - couldn't find registration info so cant check firmware version - every other time it passed that point, told us we had the latest software, moved on and fouled up somewhere else.  It's registered 100% for sure.   That has me utterly flummoxed and may have something to do with it.  I quit then but it still seemed to work so didn't pursue it further.  I like the Aries but it is a very very frustrating device to use. 

 

Why it cant be like Bubble UpNP beats me.  It's simple - you select the Aries as renderer and everything is fine - no problems like we are having.

 

Thanks

Bill

[ksalno]

I got my Aries when they first came out, so my setup was done a few years ago but IIRC, to get reliable connection between the control app and the Aries, I created a new SSID on my network (called Ariesnet) and defined it in my WiFi control app as 5G only. I then conifgured the Aries to use Ariesnet and I have my iPad also connect to Ariesnet instead of my regular WiFi network. It has always worked fine for me since then.

[Doak]

59 minutes ago, ksalno said:

I got my Aries when they first came out, so my setup was done a few years ago but IIRC, to get reliable connection between the control app and the Aries, I created a new SSID on my network (called Ariesnet) and defined it in my WiFi control app as 5G only. I then conifgured the Aries to use Ariesnet and I have my iPad also connect to Ariesnet instead of my regular WiFi network. It has always worked fine for me since then.

Sounds like a great way to go.

Would like to learn how to do it! 

[bhobba]

2 hours ago, Doak said:

Sounds like a great way to go.

Would like to learn how to do it! 

 

Its the way Auralic recommends.  You need to change settings in your router - consult your manual about it.   I have a TP router and here explains how to do it:

http://www.tp-link.com/us/faq-683.html

 

I don't think that's the cause of my issue though - but will check it out Monday by having my Ipad as the only device connected to the  network.   If it is overcrowding then that should rectify it.  Overcrowding is when too many people use the same wi-fi band.   5ghz is generally less crowded than 2.5 which is why Auralic recommends it.  Besides if it was overcrowding my Android phone would not connect to it - which it does.

 

But one never knows with these things what the exact issue is.

 

Thanks

Bill

[mikey8811]

Hi

 

I don't seem to be able to access the web app for Lightning DS anymore.

 

Has anyone experienced this?

 

The Aries is playing though and its IP address is the same.

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, mikey8811 said:

Hi

 

I don't seem to be able to access the web app for Lightning DS anymore.

 

Has anyone experienced this?

 

The Aries is playing though and its IP address is the same.

 

I would double check the ip-address using a app on the iOS tablet like for example "Fing". Sometimes when I restart my Aries Mini the ip-address changes from 192.168.0.11 to 192.168.0.10+1 and requires me to open the web interface from 192.168.0.10. I always use Fing to check.

[Cornan]

On 2017-06-03 at 3:34 AM, bhobba said:

 

Its the way Auralic recommends.  You need to change settings in your router - consult your manual about it.   I have a TP router and here explains how to do it:

http://www.tp-link.com/us/faq-683.html

 

I don't think that's the cause of my issue though - but will check it out Monday by having my Ipad as the only device connected to the  network.   If it is overcrowding then that should rectify it.  Overcrowding is when too many people use the same wi-fi band.   5ghz is generally less crowded than 2.5 which is why Auralic recommends it.  Besides if it was overcrowding my Android phone would not connect to it - which it does.

 

But one never knows with these things what the exact issue is.

 

Thanks

Bill

 

It can be worth checking the channels using for example Netgears app WiFi Analytics. Since I live in an appartment I use it daily to check how crowdy my 5G channels are and change to other less crowdy channels if necessary. I found channel 48 best in my neighbourhood. 

[FIndingit]

Does anyone know how to open the Aries? The four screws on the bottom doesn't seem to do it. Is the top cover glued?

[mikey8811]

3 hours ago, Cornan said:

 

I would double check the ip-address using a app on the iOS tablet like for example "Fing". Sometimes when I restart my Aries Mini the ip-address changes from 192.168.0.11 to 192.168.0.10+1 and requires me to open the web interface from 192.168.0.10. I always use Fing to check.

Thanks for that.

 

Strangely the IP address changed. It is the first time it has changed. But I did switch from wireless to wired and back so maybe that is why.

[pl_svn]

ethernet and wi-fi MAC addresses are different so... yes: that's why

[mikey8811]

There is a new firmware again.

 

This time it seems to be quite unstable. In fact with the last 2 updates, I have had repeated slowness with scanning of the library. The web app also occasionally says the device is offline when I am in fact still playing music through the Aries.

 

I have reported the issue to Auralic. Mr Wang replied to say there will be no fix as they cannot reproduce the problem on their end.

 

I do recall guys here having similar issues with slow scanning, so please report.

 

If Auralic does not wish to fix it, I guess it is time to move on to another streamer with all the alternatives available.

 

 

[Doak]

5 hours ago, mikey8811 said:

There is a new firmware again.

 

This time it seems to be quite unstable. In fact with the last 2 updates, I have had repeated slowness with scanning of the library. The web app also occasionally says the device is offline when I am in fact still playing music through the Aries.

 

I have reported the issue to Auralic. Mr Wang replied to say there will be no fix as they cannot reproduce the problem on their end.

 

I do recall guys here having similar issues with slow scanning, so please report.

 

If Auralic does not wish to fix it, I guess it is time to move on to another streamer with all the alternatives available.

 

 

NO FIX!!

I have the same problem and it is HORRIBLE.

My Aries was tied up for hours on end yesterday trying to rescan a 5TB library. 

If this doesn't get any better I may have to get find a "solution" besides Auralic. 

As it is, I have put a hold on recommending them for installation in systems.

[mikey8811]

21 minutes ago, Doak said:

NO FIX!!

I have the same problem and it is HORRIBLE.

My Aries was tied up for hours on end yesterday trying to rescan a 5TB library. 

If this doesn't get any better I may have to get find a "solution" besides Auralic. 

As it is, I have put a hold on recommending them for installation in systems.

Same here.

 

Do write and let them know. He recommended I go off the beta programme and back to 4.1 as he says beta 5 will be around for a long while

[FIndingit]

Beta 5 is no more. It's final.

[mikey8811]

11 minutes ago, FIndingit said:

Beta 5 is no more. It's final.

Don't think so.

 

This is the reply I got:

 

"the problem may related to slow network connection. We have done a lot of test recently and the result is if in normal condition, the server scan speed is on par of version 4.x.

 

The 5.0 version will not deliver to all ARIES customer but will stay in Beta program for a long time, you can opt out the beta version and stay at 4.1 if current one does not work well in your environment..."

 

I don't get what they mean by a slow connection. I can stream 1080p material on the same network without any issues. The initial versions of Beta 5 were fine as far as scanning speed goes.

 

I guess at the end of the day if the Aries doesn't "work well in [my] environment", I shall just have to get another streamer that does.

 

[Doak]

40 minutes ago, Doak said:

NO FIX!!

I have the same problem and it is HORRIBLE.

My Aries was tied up for hours on end yesterday trying to rescan a 5TB library. 

If this doesn't get any better I may have to get find a "solution" besides Auralic. 

As it is, I have put a hold on recommending them for installation in systems.

OK... Not so bad now. Rescan after update to 5.0 went smoothly and fairly quickly.

I've calmed down.  

[2string1]

On 5/17/2017 at 3:54 PM, mjb said:

 

Agreed, I'll pass too. A femto Aries is already as far as I need to go. 

What is 5.0 suppose to get you as far as sound quality? 

[pl_svn]

7 minutes ago, mikey8811 said:

I guess at the end of the day if the Aries doesn't "work well in [my] environment", I shall just have to get another streamer that does.

 

in the end I'm staying on 4.1 that does all I need

 

though... if someone has suggestions for a *quality* streamer that does RoonReady and Qobuz as seamlessly as the Aries does...

(I already considered micro/ultraRendu and sotm-S200 but one needs to enter the web UI and change mode each and every time  plus I'm not at all sure they're better than the Aries)

[Doak]

10 minutes ago, Doak said:

OK... Not so bad now. Rescan after update to 5.0 went smoothly and fairly quickly.

I've calmed down.  

More problems. 

[austinpop]

I have moved on from my Aries Mini, but in all the time I had it, up to and including firmware 5.0b4, I had zero issues with rescans taking inordinately long.

 

The notable difference I see between my config and what you guys seem to be doing, is in the choice of music server. I have never used the built-in Lightning Server for my local music. Rather, I've used MinimServer, running both on my NAS and a PC, and more recently Roon Core, once the Mini received Roon Ready support in 5.0.

 

I understand that adopting Roon is a big decision with many considerations, but have you guys considered using MinimServer? The only thing I can see you losing is some of the sorting options in Lightning DS will be greyed out - like sorting by sample rate and file type, for example - but there are advanced options in Minim that allow you to do that too.

[Frankie61]

1 hour ago, austinpop said:

I have moved on from my Aries Mini, but in all the time I had it, up to and including firmware 5.0b4, I had zero issues with rescans taking inordinately long.

 

The notable difference I see between my config and what you guys seem to be doing, is in the choice of music server. I have never used the built-in Lightning Server for my local music. Rather, I've used MinimServer, running both on my NAS and a PC, and more recently Roon Core, once the Mini received Roon Ready support in 5.0.

 

I understand that adopting Roon is a big decision with many considerations, but have you guys considered using MinimServer? The only thing I can see you losing is some of the sorting options in Lightning DS will be greyed out - like sorting by sample rate and file type, for example - but there are advanced options in Minim that allow you to do that too.

Well .... i'we got a Mini a Aries and now a Polaris and i NEVER had a problem ! 

Only once .... and it was a router problem ..... got a new router =  problem solved !

And i don't use NAS og ROON or anything else but Lightning DS  ...... i only use a USB harddisk ! 

Simple and stable ! 

[mjb]

1 hour ago, 2string1 said:

What is 5.0 suppose to get you as far as sound quality? 

There's perhaps a slight improvement with the new upsampling functions, but so far my experience with beta 5 has not been too positive, and I'm back on 4.1. 

[Leeuwarden]

For me 5.0 is a very nice step forward from the very first 5.x beta!