Cornan Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 If Auralic were to do what other competing players do - and display the sampling rate on the screen of the unit the way that we know that it can (because it does so in AirPlay mode as well as when it's in pure DAC mode), then this would help users verify that the device was indeed playing an unadulterated file that didn't get transcoded somehow, and also help us all know, at a glance, what kind of file we were listening to without a lot of work. I do not know if this will help you...but I am using BubbleDS Next as a control point on Android instead of LigthningDS (which I only use for updates, settings and setup). Not only do I think it sounds better than LightningDS (atleast with Tidal as source)...but it also displays the sampling rate. You should give it a try if you have an Android device laying around. It is free to try (15 songs playlist limit I think it was) and cheap to buy. 🎛️ Audio System Link to comment
ddps Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 I do not know if this will help you...but I am using BubbleDS Next as a control point on Android instead of LigthningDS (which I only use for updates, settings and setup). Not only do I think it sounds better than LightningDS (atleast with Tidal as source)...but it also displays the sampling rate. You should give it a try if you have an Android device laying around. It is free to try (15 songs playlist limit I think it was) and cheap to buy. My preference is to use the Synology software that includes all my playlists that I can access from anywhere, and that allows me to edit metadata as I listen. I covered this in detail in an earlier post. Link to comment
angelo Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Any review on Altair? Impressions? Users with Roon? Link to comment
scirica Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Any review on Altair? Impressions? Users with Roon? I'm using the Altair as my bedroom source, feeding a Sennheiser HDVA 600 headphone amplifier via XLR. Listening through Sennheiser HD 800 headphones. While Auralic would tell you to use their proprietary DS Lightning Server, I'm a big fan of Roon and I'm very impressed with the Roon/Altair combo. Altair is receiving files wirelessly from my Synology NAS. To me it sounds as stable as a wired connection. Plays FLAC and DSD, or anything else I've thrown at it so far. I would have no hesitation recommending Altair to someone using Roon. They got it right! Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile Link to comment
angelo Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I don't have a nas to install Roon, I'll use my mac mini late 2014. Any problem? Link to comment
scirica Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I don't have a nas to install Roon, I'll use my mac mini late 2014. Any problem? Sorry I wasn't clear about that. I run Roon on a Windows 10 machine on my network. NAS just holds the music files. You will be fine! Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile Link to comment
cordobaman Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Pre-amp, DAC, ethernet streaming in one box. I have been searching, but have yet to find any direct competitors to the Altair for under $2000 (USD). The Teac and Oppo seem to be the closest...any others? Niether the Teac NT-503 nor the Oppo Sonica DAC have gapless playback via ethernet (none for Oppo, No DSD for Teac), no Tidal, Roon, (or Pandora), limited functionality of their iPhone/Andoid control app. Also the Teac does not allow simultaneous use of the XLR + RCA outputs (which I would use to connect my amp on XLR and subwoofer on RCA). The Altair has more inputs as well. Link to comment
mordante Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Pre-amp, DAC, ethernet streaming in one box. I have been searching, but have yet to find any direct competitors to the Altair for under $2000 (USD). The Teac and Oppo seem to be the closest...any others? Niether the Teac NT-503 nor the Oppo Sonica DAC have gapless playback via ethernet (none for Oppo, No DSD for Teac), no Tidal, Roon, (or Pandora), limited functionality of their iPhone/Andoid control app. Also the Teac does not allow simultaneous use of the XLR + RCA outputs (which I would use to connect my amp on XLR and subwoofer on RCA). The Altair has more inputs as well. Maybe the moon 280dsd with inbuilt mind module could be considered a competitor. [br] Link to comment
scirica Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Maybe the moon 280dsd with inbuilt mind module could be considered a competitor. Looks like a decent product, but falls well short of the Altair's DSD over wifi capability. Otherwise, very nice! Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile Link to comment
cordobaman Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Maybe the moon 280dsd with inbuilt mind module could be considered a competitor. I looked at the Moon 280D, however packaged with Mind it is $2800 USD... Link to comment
angelo Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 is it really Aries+Vega without compromise? So the dealer said to me... he cannot say there is any difference.... he told me Auralic has merged the 2 products....really awesome!!!!!! Link to comment
pvanosta Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 I was about to ask about your synology setup when I saw you were running roon on a windows 10 box... Link to comment
mordante Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 is it really Aries+Vega without compromise? So the dealer said to me... he cannot say there is any difference.... he told me Auralic has merged the 2 products....really awesome!!!!!! Everything ever made and everything that will be made will have compromises. There is no such thing as no compromise. Same thing with limited edition. Everything ever made is a limited edition. Humans are not capable of producing unlimited quantities (maybe human failure and idiocy is unlimited). But enough of that. If I remember correctly the Lumin D1 is also around the 2k price point. Not sure if it will operate with wifi. But I prefer a wired network over wifi by a long shot. WiFi is not stable enough. [br] Link to comment
angelo Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 But enough of that. If I remember correctly the Lumin D1 is also around the 2k price point. Not sure if it will operate with wifi. But I prefer a wired network over wifi by a long shot. WiFi is not stable enough. Mind that auralic says the best performance will be via wi-fi network. Thanks Link to comment
2string1 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 So are you all going to sell your Aries and Vega to get the Altair? Did they actually merge the two together? Hard to believe they would do such a thing,but with a new Aries coming out maybe they did. Link to comment
cordobaman Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 ...If I remember correctly the Lumin D1 is also around the 2k price point. Not sure if it will operate with wifi. But I prefer a wired network over wifi by a long shot. WiFi is not stable enough. Ah, close...and it looks to be quite a handsomely made unit. But no pre-amp functions. No additional inputs. Also I believe no Roon, Tidal, Pandora...just internet radio. Link to comment
scirica Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 But I prefer a wired network over wifi by a long shot. WiFi is not stable enough. I would also prefer wired, but the implementation of wireless on the Auralic is rock-solid. It handles every level of resolution with ease. There is no compromise here. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile Link to comment
scirica Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 So are you all going to sell your Aries and Vega to get the Altair? Did they actually merge the two together? Hard to believe they would do such a thing,but with a new Aries coming out maybe they did. According to Auralic and others this is not the equivalent of an Aries and Vega combined. Functionality-wise perhaps, but one notch down in SQ. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile Link to comment
mordante Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Ah, close...and it looks to be quite a handsomely made unit. But no pre-amp functions. No additional inputs. Also I believe no Roon, Tidal, Pandora...just internet radio. From the Lumin website: Getting started with Tidal: Firstly, a TIDAL account is required (30-day free trial available). When you tap the TIDAL tab (shown in blue) for the first time you will be asked to login. [br] Link to comment
2string1 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 According to Auralic and others this is not the equivalent of an Aries and Vega combined. Functionality-wise perhaps, but one notch down in SQ. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile One notch down...Do you think it is a noticeable difference? Link to comment
angelo Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 One notch down...Do you think it is a noticeable difference? according to an influent auralic distributor...no noticeable differences. Link to comment
2string1 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Just found this. I'm on the cuff on which way to go. Q: What are the differences in the Altair's DAC vs. the Vega? A: The reported differences between the Vega and the Altair are the Orfeo Class-A modules that come with the Vega are not in the Altair, and the Vega's analog stage has a better power supply. If you want the ultimate in sonics, the vega and aries is preferred. Link to comment
angelo Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Just found this. I'm on the cuff on which way to go.Q:What are the differences in the Altair's DAC vs. the Vega? A: The reported differences between the Vega and the Altair are the Orfeo Class-A modules that come with the Vega are not in the Altair, and the Vega's analog stage has a better power supply. If you want the ultimate in sonics, the vega and aries is preferred. BTW...what do you mind the factory can say? I think there is -in facts- no differences... Link to comment
cordobaman Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Can anyone confirm ( @scirica ?) that the Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outs are Both active at the same time? I'd like to use the XLR to the main amp and the RCA to my subwoofer and Zone 2 amp. Link to comment
cordobaman Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Can anyone confirm ( @scirica ?) that the Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outs are Both active at the same time? I'd like to use the XLR to the main amp and the RCA to my subwoofer and Zone 2 amp. Sent an email to support and had an answer with 5 minutes from the main dude! ...great service! The XLR and RCA are individually buffered so they can be used at the same time. Thanks. Xuanqian Wang | CEO & Designer | [email protected] Attachment(s) ALTAIR_USERSGUIDE_R2.pdf Link to comment
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