Munich High End this year saw the announcement of a new update to Auralic’s suite of streaming products, which includes the ARIES streamer and the VEGA Streaming DAC. These updates are called G2.2 and G3, the full details are highlighted in this link.

ARIES G2.2 has a new ‘Purer-Power’ low-noise linear power supply

Update is an understatement if we are to be clear on this, the ARIES G2.2 has just 10% of the previous G2.1 version carried over – this is a whole new platform on which to stream music.

What’s New

The new ARIES G2.2 is, as we have indicated, a significant shift in terms of performance. In summary, the new G2.2 features are;

1. a new ‘Purer-Power’ low-noise linear power supply,
2. an upgraded Tesla G3 streaming platform that uses a 64-bit architecture, it is 8 times faster than the G2.1,
3. increased memory capacity from a previously massive 1GB to 4GB,
4. new Direct Memory Access Technology (DMA), ahead of the old XMOS version, connects the audio in and out to the processor. This helps to reduce ‘latency and jitter’ by a further 90%,
   supports USB 3.0 for external music storage and,
5. there is still optional internal music storage based on NVMe SSD technology. A factory-fitted 4TB SSD inserted into the G2.2 will set you back just £600.

ARIES G2.2 pure copper sub-enclosure

The ARIES G2.2 retains the G series Unity Chassis II that incorporates the pure copper sub-enclosure to manage radio and electromagnetic interference. It also retains the ‘multi-point tuned sprung base’ assembly in the feet.

The ARIES G2.2 connects via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and it has the HDMI Lightning Link for other Auralic products, as well as the LEO Master Clock input if you have it. There is the USB 3.0 HDD External Music Storage option as well as Roon, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth and Apple Airplay 2.

Digital output from the ARIES G2.2 is via TOSLink, Coaxial cable and AES/EBU. There is also a galvanically isolated USB output to the DAC.

Quality

Beautifully finished, this is still the premium product with a milled Auralic logo on the top, in the superior high-grade, high mass, milled aluminium casing.

Retail price for the ARIES G2.2 is £5299 and £5899 with the 4TB SSD NVME storage.

Performance

Review Equipment

I’m using the ARIES G2.2 with an iFi Pro iDSD DAC connected with a screened Atlas USB cable (one might prefer the Auralic VEGA DAC, but the iFi, does it for me) sending fixed output to the Moor Amps preamplifier which is connected via XLR to the Moor Amps Angel 6 power amplifier. I have Atlas Mavros interconnects with Atlas’ coherent Grun earthing system between the DAC and preamplifier. The Angel 6 is driving Kudos Titan 505 loudspeakers with the latest Atlas Mavros cable, again with Grun (review to follow). In all, it is a very nice system, in a very nicely treated room.

The ARIES G2.2 on review has the optional internal 4TB SSD installed, crammed full of terrific recordings.

Physically

ARIES G2.2 rear USB out

I have the ARIES G2.2 on a granite block for improved isolation, not that it needs it.

I have to say I do miss the Vega/Altair selection knob on the front for menu management, but I do like the black buttons over the silver ones adding that touch of stealth to the front of the Aries. They are quite hard to decipher though in my lower-lit room, it is not a big deal, the App is so good for the menu selection.

I have the digital filter set to ‘smooth’ of the four available (they’re still quite marginal for me) and I have DSD to PCM off, preferring to leave it to the iFi to sort out.

Streaming Transport

What do we want from a streaming transport? As we suggested in our video, it is three things. Firstly, it is useability; and ease of access to on-demand streamed or library files in an enjoyable environment. The ability to access multiple streamed sources and build playlists is very important to me. Secondly, we want the best sound quality with the third thing, which is of course price.

The key benefit to me of having a streaming transport such as this premium option is that you can be sure that as DACs improve you can benefit by just updating the DAC rather than having to replace the transport as well. In the long run, particularly with such a high-end choice and the pace of change, this seems to be one of the main benefits of optimising transport, notwithstanding that streaming technology is also accelerating (There’s a G3 coming)!

Useability – Lightning DS

ARIES G2.2 menu selection, just use the App!

The Lightning DS App is second to none, its limiting factor is that it is only available on Apple iOS devices which means, as an Android user, I’m slightly marginalised, but I do have an iPad for this purpose, so that’s fine.

The App manages everything you need concerning building and managing playlists in Qobuz and Tidal. Internal and external Library management is a breeze, even my dodgy Naim UnitiServe indexes in the App and works perfectly and it sounds at least as good as the internal 4TB drive. In my experience this time round, the App has no lag at all, it is extremely fast and responsive indeed, I imagine as a function of the crazy processing power enclosed.

Sound Quality

…a deep love for music at this moment.

I have a nice setup with the Moor Amps power amplifier in total control of the Titan 505 loudspeakers. I feel a deep love for music at this moment. Just a quick check in on my snares before I begin which is Ryan Adams’ Oh My Sweet Carolina (Naim UnitiServe WAV rip, 16 bit, 44.1kHz) at 1’40”, crispy, delicate, perfect. The vocal is immaculate and dead centre, so I’m away. Now I need pianos with Ray LaMontagne’s Jolene (Naim UnitiServe WAV 16 bit, 44.1kHz), then it is time for Nils Frahm’s fizzing Solo project and I select Some (Download 24 bit, 96kHz). It is perfect, energetic and deafeningly quiet when required.

Inevitably I get completely lost in wide-ranging sessions that lead me to the languid pace and rhythm in Kasabian’s L.S.F. (Qobuz 24 bit, 44.1kHz) and the resounding bass in Moby’s We Are All Made of Stars (Qobuz 24 bit, 44.1kHz). When I’m having loud fun, I usually end up on my feet, as opposed to reclining in my ‘Maxel Break the Sound Barrier’ leather chair. I then generally rock out to KLF’s Last Train to Transcentral (Naim UnitiServe WAV 16bit, 44kHz).

One Train Later

I am currently enthralled by Andy Summer’s Memoir One Train Later which means I am listening to his formative musical education whilst I’m reading (The Shadows, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gilespie, Monk, etc.). This ARIES G2.2 presents the enthralling Wrapped Around Your Finger (Qobuz 24 bit, 44.1kHz) with its complexity and precision as if to emphasize this musical journey (yes, I know it was written by Sting, but he’s part of the process).

…the 4TB on board the G2.2 is just a no-brainer to me…

It was now time to compare the Naim UnitiServe to the internal 4TB drive and I chose a comparable album Air’s Pocket Symphony. I hear little difference truth be told, though I prefer the Naim presentation (which is a WAV rip over the streamed FLAC incidentally), it is slight, but it means something to me. Given my UnitiServe is undoubtedly about to pack up, the 4TB on board the G2.2 is just a no-brainer to me. Of course, the price point of the extra 4TB cannot be ignored given the excellent presentation anyway. I have a Melco library incoming so I’ve made copious notes on this section.

Overall, I’m feeling a deafeningly quiet noise floor, blacks are blacker today and I put this down to the streaming transport performance from the ARIES G2.2, given all other elements of my system are the same. There is nothing to find fault with here, this ARIES G2.2 source is so clean. Indeed, with the addition of the ADOT optical fibre kit, the G2.2 excels further. A review of the ADOT will follow, this is certainly the setup to explore these marginal fibre gains.

Musical Interlude

Here’s the Musical Interlude Playlist.

Bluetooth and Tidal Connect

Bluetooth is fine, with the G2.2, it is what it is. It is handy if you’re finishing off a podcast, and it is faultless here. Tidal Connect is fine too, though with the Lightning DS App, I had forgotten about it for the most part. Nonetheless, as an Android user, if your iPad is unavailable, Tidal Connect is excellent on Android with the G2.2.

Thoughts

…you really will need a decent system to benefit from this magnificent streaming technology and crazy processing speeds

This ARIES G2.2 is the streaming business; you really will need a decent system to benefit from this magnificent streaming technology and crazy processing speeds. If you argue the system investment, in order, should be speakers, amplifier, (DAC if needed), and source this is as clean a foundation as you’ll find anywhere at this price, but your system will need to justify the investment. At this point, this becomes a bit of a bargain.

Overall

…with the Lightning DS this is the perfect low noise choice to stream music if you have the system to match

This is your premium streaming option choice. Coupled with the Lightning DS this is the perfect low noise choice to stream music if you have the system to match. The G3 is on its way, there’s no way it can be better than this, surely?

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.

A few more nice pictures from Auralic…

ARIES G2.2 Rear

ARIES G2.2 front on

ARIES G2.2 from above