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AURALiC ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge

AURALiC ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge

After scanning the title of this review article my bet is that your first question might be: ‘What exactly is a wireless streaming bridge?’ The question is perfectly understandable given that the lines of distinction between audio streamers, servers, renderers, and DACs are already blurred and becoming more so over time. So, in order to understand the many and diverse functions of the AURALiC ARIES wireless streaming bridge it helps first to take a ‘big picture’ view of how digital audio playback is evolving these days.

Let’s start by acknowledging that DACs are essential components whereby digital audio files of various formats and types are converted from bits and bytes to become high-quality analogue audio signals that can be amplified and used to drive our favourite loudspeaker or headphone-based systems. In short, in any digital audio system, you’ve got to have a DAC in order to make the music happen. Things get complicated, though, when one has to decide where digital audio files will be stored and how they will be delivered to the DAC. Another essential question involves deciding how the whole digital audio playback process will be controlled.

, AURALiC ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge

AURALiC’s ARIES serves as a flexible, multipurpose ‘bridge’ that can deliver high-resolution digital audio files from just about anywhere to the DAC of your choice, while wirelessly controlling the process via AURALiC’s Lightning DS application running on an iPad.

Would you like to listen to Internet radio or to stream content from Tidal, WiMP, Qobuz, Songcast, or Airplay? The ARIES supports all those options. How about streaming content from network-attached resources such as NAS drives or from OpenHome, DLNA, or UPNP-compatible PCs or Macs? The ARIES supports all of those options, too. One upshot of these capabilities is that, for listeners already accustomed to using music software packages such as jRiver Media Center, it is possible to continue using their chosen software as the control point application of choice while still using the ARIES as the bridge that delivers digital audio files to the system DAC.

Or, what about those who wish for a simpler, more server-like solution? Once again the ARIES fits the bill because—by attaching a USB music library drive to the ARIES—one can effectively turn the AURALiC into a simple, fully featured, and high-effective music server in its own right. Similarly, for more casual file-sharing applications, visiting friends can bring music-laden USB memory sticks to your home and then plug them in to the ARIES’ USB drive port. The ARIES, in turn, will read and catalogue the files on the memory stick in a matter of minutes (or less) and then allow users to pick and choose files for playback.

 

And what of those seeking a high-performance whole home audio solution? Once again, the ARIES system has answers ready at hand. AURALiC offers two versions of the ARIES product: a high-end ‘master’ version, which is the version under review here, and simplified and thus cost-reduced ARIES LE versions (with slightly less elaborate power supplies and clocking systems than the full-on ARIES provides), which can be deployed throughout the house and used, in essence, as ‘satellites’ operating in conjunction with the master ARIES. In short, ARIES offers an ambitious and very flexible digital platform.

If the foregoing description makes it sound as though the ARIES system has all the digital connectivity bases covered, then that’s about right. Better still, the ARIES excels at delivering high data rate, very high-resolution digital audio file formats that other competing server/streamer products are not necessarily able to handle. Specifically, the ARIES can stream PCM/DXD data at rates up to 32-bit/384kHz as well as DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 files, meaning it offers a degree of flexibility and future proofing that few competitors presently can match.

On a hardware level, AURALiC’s ARIES is offered as a two-chassis solution. One chassis houses the stylish (but not ostentatious) ARIES unit proper, while the other is a dedicated and outboard low-noise linear power supply module that leverages the ‘Purer Power’ technologies AURALiC developed for use in its familiar, standalone, high-end audio components. The ARIES provides high-speed, dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, plus a high-speed USB 2.0 port that is reserved for purposes of attaching a USB music library drive, if desired. As for outputs, the ARIES provides a second high-speed USB 2.0 port intended for connections to a USB DAC, as well as AES/EBU, coaxial S/PDIF, and TOSLINK outputs (these latter three support PCM files at rates between 44.1kHz and 192kHz, and DSD64).

Perhaps equally important from a performance perspective, the ARIES provides two individual FemtoClocks, both similar in concept to the that used in the superb AURALiC VEGA Digital Audio Processor (reviewed in Issue 106). One FemtoClock serves USB audio hosts, while the other serve all other digital outputs. Between these FemtoClocks and the unit’s outboard ‘PurerPower’ power supply module, the idea is to deliver low-noise, very low-jitter, digital audio files to your DAC of choice on a consistent basis.

, AURALiC ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge

It’s been said that products of this type are only as good as their user interface software allows them to be and it is in this area that the ARIES excels. AURALiC’s command and control app for the ARIES is known as Lightning DS, which is available as a free download from the Apple app store for use with iPads and soon iPhones. Almost all of my experience of ARIES has been through using the iPad app, which has now been extensively tested in the field and has gone through a number of significant updates, revisions, and improvements. My review sample of the ARIES is running firmware version 2.9.2 while my sample of the Lightning DS app is version 2.3. Prospective owners should be aware that AURALIC continually develops and releases ARIES firmware and Lightning DS software updates over time, meaning that the ARIES system you buy today will likely offer even better performance a year from now (or at least that has been my experience).

Lightning DS and the architecture of the ARIES itself go a long way toward making the system relatively easy for first-timers to set up and configure. One astute AURALiC design choice was to configure the ARIES so that, when powered up for the first time, it initially serves as its own Wi-Fi network. In this way, AURALiC establishes a clear-cut starting point from which one’s controller tablet and the Lightning DS application can establish communication with the ARIES, thus simplifying the setup tasks to follow. Lightning DS provides simple, step-by-step setup instructions for the ARIES to guide the listener at each point along the way.

Setup steps include connecting the ARIES to the desired music library (or to a local USB music library drive directly attached to the ARIES, if so desired), building a database of the library contents, connecting the ARIES to one’s home network, selecting preferred digital outputs (USB, AES/EBU, TOSLINK, or coaxial S/PDIF), and then finally connecting the ARIES to the desired playback DAC or device. In truth, there will inevitably be a certain amount of technical complexity involved whenever preparing any audio server or streamer for use, but the Lightning DS’ instructions are good enough to allow those of us not blessed with degrees in computer science to get the ARIES up and running with a minimum of hand-holding.

 

Happily, the ARIES/Lightning DS system is so straightforward that many listeners need only a few minutes of familiarisation (and a bit of trial and error experimentation) to be able to use the app effectively. The app provides specific control screens for each of the ARIES’s primary use modes, which include: Library mode (selecting and playing music from your library resources), Internet Radio mode (without being tied to a service like vTuner), Streaming mode (selecting and streaming content from Tidal, WiMP, or Qobuz subscription streaming services), AirPlay mode (streaming content from AirPlay-enabled sources), and Songcast mode (streaming Songcast content via the ARIES). There is also a very flexible Search mode that allows users to seek out specific content from the ARIES library, streaming services (if any), and from Internet Radio sources.

, AURALiC ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge

During my listening tests, I used the ARIES with a variety of DACs (such as the latest-generation AURALiC VEGA, the Exogal Comet, the Moon by Simaudio 430HAD, and the PS Audio DirectStream DAC) and with many different high performance loudspeakers (e.g., GamuT RS3s, GoldenEar Triton 1s, Magnepan 3.7i’s, and YG Acoustics Carmel 2s). For my application, I chose to use the ARIES with a fast 2TB Western Digital USB music library drive, though you might find you could achieve even better result by configuring the ARIES for use with NAS drivers or other network accessible server. In every case, the ARIES system rose to the occasion whenever I made improvements in ancillary system components.

My listening tests revealed that the ARIES is a superb high-resolution digital audio delivery system that is, despite its relatively modest price, entirely suitable for use with very high performance DACs. When listening to files delivered through the ARIES, listeners can expect very quiet backgrounds, exemplary amounts of low-level sonic information, and the sort of timing stability that gives sonic images and soundstages an extra measure of solidity and three-dimensionality (both are qualities I associate with very low-jitter sources). What is more, the performance of the ARIES seems to track with the quality of the components with which it is used. When, for example, I upgraded my PS Audio DirectStream DAC by installing its new Yale OS software, the ARIES system immediately took full advantage of the performance advantages the new OS package provided.

Put on a track that is rich in subtle transient, ambient, and spatial information, such as “Aquellos duros antiquos (Tanguillos)” from Pepe Romero’s legendary Flamenco [Philips K2HD, 44.1/16], and the ARIES will—pardon the pun—serve up soundstages that are eerily realistic, lavishly detailed in all the right subtle ways, and intensely three-dimensional. Or, play a relatively demanding percussion-orientated piece such as the title track from Marilyn Mazur, Josefine Cronholm, and Krister Jonsson’s Flamingo Sky [Stunt Records, 44.1/16] and note how incredibly incisive, explosive, rich, and focused the music sounds as delivered to your DAC via the ARIES. Want to try very high-res DSD256 or DXD (352.8/32-bit) files? No problem; if your DAC is up to the task, the ARIES will deliver the goods without a glitch or a hitch.

 

Are there ways to surpass the performance of the ARIES? Perhaps there are, but even so the ARIES operates at such a high level that competitors tend to provide only very small, incremental improvements (if any improvement at all), and invariably wind up costing substantially more than the ARIES does. For example, I have occasionally compared the ARIES playing files ripped from discs to the sound of those same discs played through the PS Audio PerfectWave Memory Transport, and in a few instances I felt the transport perhaps offered a smidgeon more sonic nuance or low-level detail. But contrast this against the fact that the PS Transport costs more than twice that of the Aries, cannot play DSD or DXD material at all, and of course cannot provide streaming services of any kind.

, AURALiC ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge

When you consider the many things the ARIES can do and the very high level of performance that it offers, I would argue it is one of the best values in all of digital audio today. Having the ARIES in my system has transformed my review listening experiences for the better; the ARIES gives me instant access to my music library (including all of my high-res PCM and DSD files), plus the ability to explore streaming content whenever I choose. But above all, ARIES is a convenient, reliable, and easy-to-use system that imposes virtually no compromises in performance. If that’s not having your sonic cake and eating it, then I don’t know what would be.

Technical Specifications

  • Type: Wireless streaming bridge
  • Streaming services supported: Local uPnP/DLNA library content; online streaming from TIDAL, Qobuz, and WiMP; Internet Radio, AirPlay, Songcast, and USB hard drive files.
  • Supported file types: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WV, and WMA
  • Supported sampling rates: PCM: 44.1kKz – 384 kHz at 16 – 32 bits. DSD, DSD128, DSD256
  • Control software (and devices): AURALiC Lightning DSD software application, AURALiC RC-1 remote control (included), OpenHome-compatible software, uPnP AV software
  • Media Server Compatibility: Minimserver, Twonky, Asset uPnP, JRiver, DLNA/uPnP-compatible server software
  • Display: 3-inch 256 x 64-pixel OLED display
  • Digital Inputs: Gigabit Ethernet (via RJ45 jack), Dual‑Band Wi-Fi connection, USB 2.0 High-Speed for use with external USB music library drives.
  • Digital Outputs: USB 2.0 High-Speed for connections with compatible DACs (compatible DACs are those that do not require a driver for use with Mac OS X); AES/EBU, coaxial S/PDIF, and TOSLINK (the latter three outputs are sample-rate limited to 44.1 – 192kHz for PCM files and to DSD64).
  • Dimensions (H × W × D): 7cm × 25cm × 20cm
  • Weight: 0.8kg
  • Price: £1,310, or $1,599

Manufacturer Information: AURALiC LIMITED

URL: www.auralic.com

UK Distributor Information: Audio Emotion Limited

URL: www.audioemotion.co.uk

Tel: +44(0)1333 425999

US Distributor: AURALiC North America

URL: www.auralic.com

Tel: (562) 912-3280

Tags: FEATURED

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