Auralic Aries Mini

Hard to say without knowing what your 'proper outboard DAC' is? If an NDX is too expensive, an ND5XS would be a balanced addition to your system; an external PSU for it isn't essential. You could potentially then sell your existing DAC, and even your CD player too if you want to streamline your system a bit. I've no experience of the Aries, but if your DAC is good enough, it would seem to be a realistic alternative.

Having listened to both, in IMO, a bare ND5-XS is substantially better than the CD5si (much more information retrieval and refinement while keeping the 'enthusiastic presentation').  It also balances well with the Nait XS-2

Hal, there's a thread on the Pink Fish site about the Mini, and all doesn't seem as glowing as might be.  Worth a quick look.

There does seem to be some issues with it, especially if you have a large collection. Over 2TB it seems from what I've read about it. 

And there are not any issues with Naim streamers/software? I have been using a Mini since early October and I have been nothing but impressed with both the hardware and software. Yes, the software could be a little flakey in the beginning but through various software and firmware updates (over the air - are you listening Naim?) the system is fairly rock solid in my set up. I have a 1 Tb HDD fitted that has 700 Gb of ALAC files. I do not use an external DAC but do use the AURALiC LPS to improve the SQ of the very good internal DAC (I'm at a stage where I want to keep my system simple and the box count low - system in profile). I used to have a SBT with LPS and Arcam irDAC. I prefer my current set up.  

I have no desire to get a Naim streamer to match boxes. AURALiC are a small company doing a very good job. Not a huge outlay. Give it a go and I think you will be impressed.

Neil

@badlyread

so sound wise you rate mini better than SBT into irDAC?

or is convenience the reason for your preference?

SJB

Difficult to say Sloop as I was unable to do an A/B. There were no published reviews when I purchased the Mini (early adopter) so all I had to go on was a memory of a sound and my ears. I liked what a heard and still do. There are a couple of reviews around now (there have been production delays) that are very positive but you need to listen for yourself of course. I think £375 (+£200 for the Linear Power Supply) is a lot of bang for your buck. If you don't like the internal Sabre DAC then get your particular sound from another DAC.

 The convenience of a single small box that does everything is fantastic. 

KR

Neil

Does an android app for the auralic exist?

Another device that could be interesting is node2 from bluesound.

I believe so but it is an early version before AURALiC abandoned further development of Android due to too many different versions. There is a PC/Mac interface in the pipeline. Google for review.

Thanks to all those who have taken the time to reply.

I had read of a web interface that should work in all common browsers (PCs or mobiles) that is meant to replace the android app. I will check for more information in case I will look for another streamer at some time. Would be interesting if it is working good.

SO what are you going to do HAL?

Have you made a decision?

Might be of interest:

http://www.audiostream.com/con...#AYk0C4fwULhSffLX.97

Neil, thanks for sharing your views on Mini, appreciated.  

I have two humble DACs, namely irDAC and MF M1.

Idea of selling CD5si and the rest to start fund raising for ND5 or NDX could be an option. But I am not there yet. When I listen to music casually at the living room from UQ2 I mostly rely on internet radio and paid services. 90 % of time NAS is sleeping.  I still prefer CD playback for “serious” listening. Maybe it’s something to do with exuberance of my CDP or below par SQ I get from ripped CDs.

Having had a second thought I guess I do not need a Naim streamer at the moment. CD5si will remain as the main source for some time but I will surely add Auralic Mini as a secondary convenience that will nicely do.

Hi Hal

If you are going to use one of your DACs with the Mini there will be no need to invest in a separate Linear Power Supply. However, I would checkout getting an internal HDD (a LPS would be beneficial if you are going to do this) and trying the Mini as a source for your ripped CDs. You might be surprised and then there would be no need for a NAS (the Mini would become your NAS!) and you could reduce box count.

How do you rip?

Neil

Well I am not sure if I do not need a LPS for Mini. Not for augmenting its performance but for keeping it under leash. I discovered this evening Ruark's wifi connected tabletop radio in the kitchen has been actually dumping nasties into the juice. I am talking about its wall wart ps. My CD5si and HcDR were buzzing like hornets in a shoe box! Unplugging the the wart sorted out the issue. Wow.

I rip with itunes. I know I could do better but it is easy to do so using my iMac and macbook pro. I have around 1200 silver discs. Almost half of them was filed. Most of them in ALAC and those in thumb drives are in FLAC. I have Minim on NAS. 

I am still in the camp believing streaming is for convenience. I have not been persuaded so far that a ripped CD sounds better than  or even equals to playback from a dedicated Naim CDP. They gain hifi properties but lose drive and musicality IMHO. 

Sounds like you need a better PS for your Ruark, to address the problem at source, as it were. I wonder if an iFi iPower would be a good low cost option there?

As regards streaming being just a secondary, convenience source, I'd wager that you'd change your view on that if you invested in a decent streamer, with or without external PS. 

Recently got an aries mini and sbooster ps, fitted it with a WD Red 1TB drive and copied over all my rips from the UServe..

Currently connected to a Qute and N-Sats....soon to be paired with a freshly serviced Nait 1...

not as good as my previous NDX, however, for the money is excellent, and if you can't reconcile/justify the cost of the Naim streamers as I couldn't, it could make sense...especially in a secondary system, or as a stop gap...

i also have an upgraded Sonos into NDac in the main system which is pretty damn good and as a bonus, wife user friendly..

Have a good weekend

Comparing a £3600 streamer (NDX) to a £600 streamer (Mini inc PS) seems a little rich Ameden but I do agree that it is excellent for the money asked. Mine is not a stop gap, it is my main digital system, and I don't think it needs to be a stop gap. If you have an external DAC then it really can be all you need but I am more than happy with what the internal DAC offers.

Enjoy the Nait 1.

Neil

I have been streaming one way or another since the late 90s and the one thing that has remained consistent throughout.. No matter what DAC I use, is the quality of the streamer transport... (Renderer). A very crucial element in quality audio replay. The NDX is a sweet spot for me for optimum transport quality (when running in transport mode and not internal DAC mode). The Sonos has been fun, but SQ wise, when used as a transport has always disappointed .. Right now it's mostly unused, but used occasionally for SoundCloud, Amazon and Napster streaming... for when making playlists for the car streaming services.

Simon

The problem with the squeezebox is that it injects some PSU related noise into the naim amp.

I know this because on my 282, when AV bypass is selected, and squeezebox analog outputs are connected and the 282 is NOT signal grounded, then some buzz can be heard on AV bypass.

when I ground the 282 (by adding a Naim source which does it), then the buzz goes away.

In any case, I had lots of concerns about my 282/250 DR performance (sounds good somedays, but then not all the time), but when I removed the squeezebox touch analog out from 282, performance goes back to normal again.

Although I use a Chord Hugo, I kept the SBT connected for comparison purposes, but it seems to affect performance of the amp, and not in a good way at all.

So the SBT is no longer used as a DAC anymore. I only use it through optical out into my chord Hugo.

anyway if you cannot afford a Naim source then make sure you do not connect the squeezebox to your Naim, and only use it as a renderer through optical (and not coax and not USB unless your DAC is galvanically isolated) out into the IRDAC. You might want to buy a Linear PSU for the iRDAC.

That should do nicely for now until funds allow for a ND5XS.....

I haven't head the Aries mini, but if you like that Naim sound, then best to stay in the Naim family of products  Even though I like my Hugo a lot, somehow my DAC V1 plays music in a way only a Naim source can, it is different and in some ways, somehow, music has plenty of emotion on the Naim source.

Just bought an AAM to use with my Dynaudio XEO 3 in a second system. Looking forward to it. 

Received my AAM today. Quick setup,10 min, but I haven't scanned my music files yet. I just have it setup to play Tidal right now. Had to get back to work. 

Does it sound better than a Mac Mini + Audirvana+ ?

Finally setting up Lighting Server and holy sh!t it is taking forever on the initial scan. I have over 140,000 files to scan and am going on 24hrs of scan time. That said I do have my files on an external HD connected to my Mac mini and not a NAS. I did read this way is not recommended by Auralic because of slow scan time. Think I'll get an external HD to connect to the AAM and use it that way or just stick with minimserver over Lighting Server.