Posts: 362
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
8
09-Dec-2015, 00:02
(This post was last modified: 09-Dec-2015, 00:03 by Wdw.)
Hello All,
Taking delivery of a D400 pair in the coming few weeks, replacing a Berkeley Alpha DAC and Levinson Power Amp. I am currently serving the DAC via XLR/AES from an Aries. Would anyone care to share their experience with comparing USB and XLR/AES digital out from the Aries into a Devialet, preferring one over the other? Have a USB mounted hard drive on the Aries hence balanced out.
Thanks, in advance.
Warren
Posts: 964
Threads: 10
Joined: Jul 2015
Reputation:
15
It's been a while since I did this comparison, at least a few months, so memory fading.
Is this an Auralic Aries or the new Aries Mini?
Assuming it is the former, the XLR/AES digital was very, very good. I don't recall USB being any better.
Roon ROCK on Intel NUC6i5SYH/Ethernet | VPI Avenger | Devialet 440 Pro CI | Vivid Audio Giya G3 | Auralic Aires Mini | Synology 1812+ NAS
SXSW, US
Posts: 234
Threads: 15
Joined: Jun 2014
Reputation:
3
how does the aries mini compare with the aries and AIR? I am using AIR on my 6-yr old computer, which I am afraid it will die on me soon.... so considering the aries mini to do the streaming and replace AIR. is the mini up for the job?
Posts: 1,251
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2014
Reputation:
15
I use the AES/EBU input on my D400 with my Aries right now and I feel that it is better than the USB but not by much. I have a diy xlr cable nothing fancy and on USB I have a Cabledyne silver cable and the xlr is better so I am thinking on geting a Cabledyne silver xlr digital cable and sell the USB cable.
Speakers:TAD CE-1. Amplifier: TAD M2500mk2. Digital: TAD DA1000-TX, Innuos Statement Next-gen, Innuos PhoenixNET.
Miscellaneous: Qobuz Studio, Ansuz Mainz 8 D2, Ansuz Darkz DTC, Tubulus Argentus ethernet cable, Tubulus Concentus USB cable, Tubulus Argentus V2 XLR cable, Tubulus Argentus V3 + V3 bass, iFi Nova powercables.
Second system
Qobuz Studio -> Devialet Silver Phantom, Devialet Tree
Posts: 362
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
8
09-Dec-2015, 20:49
(This post was last modified: 09-Dec-2015, 20:52 by Wdw.)
Thanks for your replies....happy to hear the XLR/AES is the one to use. Is the bigger unit not the mini. With the hard drive on the Aries port I'd need to consider a NAS but that seems like way to much work.
