Any Auralic user out there?

I'm more interested in what you think of the Aries, and how it compares to a Naim streamer?

To compare it to a Naim streamer is tricky because Naim has internal DAC, Aries doesn't.

But it has upnp support, direct attached USB disk, control choices (kinsky, lightning ds, lumin app....), internet radio, qobuz, tidal, USB out, AES out, spdif out, automatic firmware upgrades

Would I buy it again? YES!

Perhaps Dayjay meant how does it compare to a Naim streamer in digital tranport mode?

Simon

hi Simon,

I didn't test this (have no Naim streamer)...

well what do you think of the latest firmware update?

SJB

soundwise, it is a step backwards...don't like it!

Something to report back to Auralic, me thinks.

what was supposed to be changed by the new firmware?

firmware updates are automatically provided...but I want to get back to the previous version ;-)

That is exactly what I am interested Simon, how does it compare to say an NDX into a dac

+1 very interested. Not easy to get a demo of either

I can get a demo of the NDX into my Hugo easy enough but not the Aries at the moment

My nearest Auralic dealer decided to close down, bloody cheek of it. Nothing else nearby. Pioneer have brought out a couple of interesting streamers that i may try into Hugo

It has always been my intention to get an NDX at some point, but I really like to the look and potential of the Aries and it has just about everything I could want with the exception of SQ that I haven't been able to get a view of compared to the NDX

Not sure that this is of any use to you, but I did get to listen to an Auralic Aries (with Vega DAC) recently when auditioning some potential replacements (Electrocompaniet, Lindemann, MBL & Threshold) for my aging (but still great) Primare 928 monoblocks.

I purchased the Lindemann (858) after an extended home audition, but also came away with a lot of admiration for the Auralic combo. I run two streamers at home -a Linn Klimax Renew on my main system, and an ND5 XS into Hugo on the other. Although I didn't have a chance to compare them directly, my impression was that the Auralic combo could at least hold its own with either of my streamers/DACs.

The Auralic had the distinct advantage of (I think) integrated access to Tidal, Qobus and Spotify streaming services, and it also caters for DSD, Double-rate and Quad-rate DSD into a USB DAC. The DSD files I listened to in the session (from Blue Coast Music) sounded stunning, although Red Book and other high res files sounded almost as good. I played around a bit with the iPad app in the session as well, and although not a very comprehensive test, it also seemed at least as good as the offerings from Naim and Linn.

If I was in the market for a streamer, didn't already have my Linn and Naim models and hadn't already spent a lot of money on a replacement power amp, I would probably have the Aries (possibly with the Auralic Vega DAC) right up at the top of my short-list.      

I would certainly recommend a listen.    

Very useful Hmack, thanks for posting

I also recently had a home demo of the Aries streamer fed into a ND5 and used with a Nait XS amp and PMC speakers. The app certainly had its quirks but the ability to select music from Qobuz and Tidal accounts was a real boon.

At first I was quite impressed as it was a clear step up from my Sonos Connect, even with a W4S reclocker added between the Sonos and ND5. It seemed a lot more natural than the Sonos using either local network media (UPnP) or streaming from Tidal/Qobuz. And of course, it is also compatible with 24bit music source material. 

However, after leaving it a few days to bed in (it was a brand new unit), and after a more critical listening session I decided it wasn't any improvement on my ND5. Looking back at my notes, it didn't have the sweetness or insight of the ND5 at the top end, and seemed more shut in both in terms of the soundstage and the airy nature of instruments. This was particularly noticeable on orchestral pieces which made the orchestra sound much smaller on the Aries. The natural rhythm and drive was also lacking compared to the ND5, so certainly not the same excitement or involvement when using the Aries.

Just as a footnote, I borrowed all the hardware, W4S reclocker and all sorts of cable gubbins from Mark at Item Audio who was very patient and accommodating and shipped all the stuff out to me for the cost of postage. A highly recommended dealer.

You were using your ND5 as the dac then?

Yes, correct - using the BNC digital input on the ND5.

I'm not sure that that's the best way to test it out in comparison to your Naim streamer to be honest, given that it has to put its signal through the ND5's circuit and dac - how much of what you're hearing is the ND5 and how much is the Aries?

Perhaps it wasn't ideal but it certainly helped to confirm that the Aries was a step up from the Sonos+/-W4S, using the DAC and analogue stage of the ND5. Although the ND5 was still ahead of the Aries, comparing each as a streamer. I didn't have another bare DAC to hand, although do plan to look at the Hugo TT and Auralic Vega later in the year.

gary

Your a star, Harlow is only around 30 miles away. Many thanks for that.

Graeme

Nice one Graeme, result!

I had this on my ND5 with firmware 3.14 to 3.16 i think. So much so i had to buy a PSU to compensate. Maybe it was a ploy by Naim. Anyhow im fed up with app and firmware updates breaking more than they fix. this recent lot has been going on probably 6mths or so now and its still not right.

not saying others arnt as bad, I don't know so will give them a try.