Auralic Aries vs Audirvana(MacMini)

Posted by: angelodipa on 12 September 2018

Hello to all

My current system is:

MacMini (Audirvana)> Dac V1 (via USB Asynchronous)> 202 (with HC DR + NAPSC)> 200> Ariva

Speaking on an other post, was suggested to me to dismiss the MacMini in favor of Aries Mini ... and it intrigued me.

At this point I would like to deepen the question because I wanted to understand, if compared to my current system, it could be an improvement.

So the possibilities are:

Option A: Auralic Aries Mini connected to the Dac-V1 via USB (MacMini with Audirvana discontinued in favor of Aries Mini)


Option B: Auralic Aries FEMTO connected to the Dac-V1 via USB (MacMini with Audirvana discontinued in favor of Aries FEMTO and I continue to use the V1)

Option C: Auralic Aries FEMTO connected directly to the NAC (MacMini with Audirvana and the Naim DAC discontinued in favor of Aries FEMTO)

Does anyone have direct experience?

Thx to all...

Posted on: 12 September 2018 by Innocent Bystander

Sorry, I’ve no experience of the Aries. Fully optimised MM/Audirvana to me sounded pretty close to a Melco N1A (used into Dave DAC, with Bryston 4B power amp and PMC Fact 12 speakers in a dealer’s partially treated room) - indistinguishable ina short comparison.  I would replace A+ with anything sounding as good but with better library handling in a flas, at low enough cost!

But if I was replacing the MM as well, I’d be looking at something at least as good as that Melco - though rather than a higher Melco model, maybe the Innuos Zenith... However if the Aries can sound as good at lower cost that would be of definite potential interest, so I look forward to hearing how you get on (other option C).