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Auralic Aries users

Interested in replacing my EAR Acute CDP and Squeezebox Touch with a one box solution. I've been researching this a long time, but really want a wireless solution that improves upon the sound quality I'm getting out of my SB Touch for listening to Pandora and possibly Spotify, while matching the sound of my EAR cdp when streaming downloads (assuming I get a respectable DAC).  The Auralic Aries looks to be a potentially good fit, as the price is right and it's wireless.

I use AT&T U-Verse for cable & internet service. Wireless via AT&T provided router located in the same room as my listening system in 18' x 26' room... so wireless connectivity should not be an issue.

Questions:
1. I have my CD's ripped to I tunes in AIFF via I-Mac i, but I did not use any special ripping software. I only have 160 CD's... so if it would be better from a SQ standpoint, I can re-ripp using something like DBpoweramp to my MacPro laptop. Do you think this is recommended... or will the Aries view the AIFF files on my I-tunes the same as if I re-rip using DBPoweramp?

2. I'm not interested in paying $20 monthly subscription for TIDAL, but listen to Pandora a lot and want to try Spotify Premium ($10 monthly), but understand I'd have to use Airplay (?) to stream these services thru the Aries, correct.  Having not used Airplay before, can I assume it's relatively seamless interacting with the Aries?

3. Can I assume the sound quality of Pandora thru the Aries with a decent DAC will trump what I'm currently hearing thru my SB Touch?

4. Any benefit getting the latest version of I Pad vs. older, less expensive versions with regards to sound quality and/or compatibility with the Aries?




128x128pdreher
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
If you haven’t tried yet, go on line at...
http://www.auralic.com/en/

There will be some FAQs for your model (there is for their Mini). Otherwise, use the site to get in touch with their tech support. They (Chris) have been very responsive and helpful to me. Most times next day by email but sometimes faster than that. Good luck. I do seem to remember catching the point where the Mini was a hot spot (amber LED) to link to my iPhone took a couple of tries.

There’s no remote for the Mini...just the DS Lightning app on the iPhone (or iPad if you have one).


fazee
57 posts
 

HI ghosthouse,


Thanks for the link. Managed to do the set up even though my wifi didn't show Auralic Lightning at all. Managed to get my Tidal in as well as my DSD files from my Portable Hard Disk.

Do I need to leave the Hard Disk connected every time I play my DSD files?

Do you leave your Aries on standby mode all the time or turn off the power from the LPS whenever not in use?


ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Hi fazee - nice to think I might have been able to help. On the other hand, maybe you just got lucky :-)

Based on the fact I did not install memory in my Aries Mini, playing locally stored files DOES require the hard drive be connected. I say that for the ALAC files from ripped CDs that I have stored on a 2TB Seagate hard drive. Don’t know about DSD files specifically, but can’t see any reason they should be different UNLESS your particular model comes with internal storage and you load the DSD files to it.

I have the Aries Mini AND connected hard drive powered up all the time. Would prefer not to (at least for the hard drive) but there isn’t any real power switch apart from pulling the plug. Powered up, it’s ready to go all the time. Occasionally I will disconnect the hard drive to add another ripped CD. It seemed like in the beginning it took a few minutes to rescan the library. Lately (there have been some software updates) it takes hardly any time at all for it to read the updated library.

Good luck with yours. Hope you enjoy music with it. It is almost the only thing I listen to these days.  Realizing for me that can mean, ripped CDs, Tidal, Spotify, or Internet Radio.  Lots of variety. Check out Paradise Radio if you have not. Good stuff. Reubent had posted about that one.

Ciao
fazee
57 posts
 

Hi ghosthouse, now that you mentioned it, I don't think my Aries has any internal storage at all. I have just switched to Tidal from Spotify and loving all the high res content so far.

What kind of music do they play on Paradise Radio?


ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Hey there...I'd call it "adult contemporary" but it is extremely varied.  Reminds me a lot of the content I used to hear out of WXPN from U. of Penn in Phila.  The guy does the programming (it's a husband and wife operation best I can tell) goes DEEP.  Displays an amazing knowledge of music.  Stuff you never heard of or haven't heard in years but it is not Classic Rock, way more varied than that.  The flow of his "playlists" is very very good too. Best way to find out is to check it out.    
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