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Auralic Aries w NOS DAC

Hi folks,

I'm intrigued by the new Auralic Aries server/streamer device. I love the idea of streaming lossless digital content from Tidal, etc direct to my Red Wine Audio DAC, and I love its ability to pull music from a hard drive over wifi as well. But here's the thing: I have the NOS version of the Red Wine DAC and zero need/interest in upgrading to the high-res version, and the Auralic Aries seems very focused on enabling 192k DSD content. I get that, I admire it, but it's not relevant for me. Would the Aries be total overkill with the Red Wine NOS DAC? If so, does anyone know of a cheaper option with similar functionality and great sound quality? I know that Sonos basically offers this functionality, but I'm looking for true audiophile sound quality.

Thanks as always.
lousyreeds1
lousyreeds1 OP
281 posts
 
Hi Margot,

Have you actually compared the W4S and Empirical Audio? If so I'd be interested in your notes. Without any of the upgrades, the W4S and Empirical Audio appear to be exactly the same thing with a $200 price difference...
mcanaday
148 posts
 
I haven't heard Empirical Audio. (My guess is without the upgrades they are very close...some people reported that EA pulls out ahead with the upgraded power supply.) I do have the W4S Remedy connected to a CD player in one of my systems, and yes, it made a big difference and I think is a great deal. You can also buy a Sonos box with the Remedy upgrade basically inside--much tidier. I will be interested to see what route you take!

cheers,
Margot
wisnon
700 posts
 
Get the Aries not the LE if you plan to use USB. Apart from the LPSU, you get separate Femto clocks for the USB and the other inputs, plus some jitter reducing circuits. This has nothing to do with hi-rez or RBCD, its the quality of USB output that is being addressses.

The thing to watch for in the near future will be the ~$200 Regen USB filter that should really lift up the USB ooutput another notch or 2.
wisnon
700 posts
 
If not the Regen, you should consider Empirical's Shortblock for $200 that will also help to shield the Dac's USB input from the Aries. (common mode noise rejection, etc)

The Regen is still vaporware, but close to production. The SBlock is tangible and already marketed for a while.
lousyreeds1 OP
281 posts
 
Thanks, Wisnon. Is there any consensus yet on whether the Aries sounds different through the different outputs? I would happily just use coax if there is no difference in sound quality. If I'm just using the coax output (which I think already utilizes a femto clock?), is there any point to the $600 upgrade on the Aries? I also should be able to use the built-in battery supply in my DAC to run the Aries, which means I have no use for the upgraded wall-wart.
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