This tangibility is partly achieved because backgrounds are so dark, which provides very strong contrast for the instruments and voices. This effect was no less palpable when I switched to Bowers & Wilkins 702 floorstanders; these have more ‘meaty’ bass than the PMCs and home in on the visceral qualities of the material really well as a result. They too reveal the sense that sound pops into the room and creates a strong image with lots of detail. I love the depth and scale it finds in ‘Keep On’, a recording that revels in this degree of transparency thanks no doubt to its analogue roots.
We’ve already covered the AURALiC ARIES G2 at length, but it’s great to have a second opinion confirm the first. Adding the LEO GX, however, puts ARIES G2 in another league, in particular when it comes to imaging. It creates a sense of presence that is very rare with reproduced audio of any kind which, coming as it does from a self-confessed, fully paid up member of the analogue nut club, is high praise indeed.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEGA G2
Type: Solid-state network streamer, DAC, digital preamplifier
Analogue Inputs: One (via RCA jacks)
Digital Inputs: One coaxial S/PDIF (via RCA jack), one TOSLink, one AES/EBU, one USB B, Lighning Link, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
DAC Resolution/ PCM from 44.1kHz to 384kHz in 32Bit, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
Supported Digital Formats: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DFF, DSF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WV and WMA
Music services/Wi-Fi inputs: Tidal, Qobuz
Analogue Outputs: One stereo balanced (via XLR connectors), one stereo unbalanced (via RCA jacks)
Digital Outputs: None
Frequency Response: Not specified
Distortion (THD + Noise): < 0.00015%, balanced < 0.00012%
User Interface: 5inch display (on main unit), Lightning DS application software for iOS
Dimensions (H×W×D): 84 ×338 ×300mm
Weight: 7.8kg
Price: £5,499
LEO GX
Type: Temperature-controlled Rubidium atomic clock
Supported sample rates:
PCM: 44.1KHz to 384KHz in 32Bit
DSD:DSD64(2.8224MHz), DSD128(5.6448MHz), DSD256(11.2896MHz)
Frequency: 90.3168MHz (44.1KHz) |98.3040MHz (48KHz)
Output Level: 3.3V CMOS (Direct-to-DAC Design)
Oscillator: Temperature-controlled SC cut crystal
Dimensions (H×W×D): 84 ×338 ×300mm
Weight: 8.1kg
Price: £7,499
Manufacturer: AURALiC LIMITED
Tel: +1-(302)-314-5555
URL: auralic.com
Distributor: AURALiC Europe
Tel: +44(0) 7590 106105
URL: auralic.com