Auralic Aries

[PhilP]

1. Why will you use AES/EBU for the streamer to Devialet connection when you're using ethernet for all the others? Is it because you have an especially nice AES/EBU cable? It would be great if you could try ethernet for that connection as well as that's what us lesser mortals are most likely to use

2. It's difficult to perform any sort of comparison without expectation bias and no doubt some people will complain if you don't do the comparison blind. Any thoughts on this?

3. Have you noticed any difference between vanilla AIR on the Macbook versus AIR with A+? I'm still not sure how A+ can improve the sound when AIR + itunes is bit perfect?

Sorry for the delay replying was up in Norfolk for the weekend... to answer your questions:

1. As far as I know most UPnP streamers output to AES/EBU, S/PDIF, USB and Toslink. I chose the AES/EBU route because Thierry at Devialet told me it was the best port to connect to. Also the MiND 180 is optimised for AES/EBU (according to Simaudio, the manufacturers). The Transparent XL was the best AES/EBU I could find but as I've said before there are LOADS of other options. Even the Mogami Gold could be an excellent choice.

2. Absolutely and very good point! I don't expect my comparison to be rigorously scientific and totally acknowledge and accept expectation bias as a powerful effect when testing. Having said that I do generally like to have other people help me with my comparisons (usually Rufus, as he has an excellent ear!). What I've generally found with making choices is that it's important to live with the gear for a few days at least, sometimes what seems really good initially can seem tiring in the longer run. Yes I've made loads of mistakes like this in the past! So blind A/B testing might not really help here... Interestingly enough once when Rufus and I were testing AQ ethernet cables we didn't like the sound of one at all (which we had expected to sound great)... it turned out that it was plugged in the wrong way round (which was interesting since before then I didn't really believe the directionality thing with LAN cables). In addition with my testing of Entreq ground cables I have sometimes found the cheaper cables to be more effective. Anyway I know none of this really proves anything... the purpose of the whole exercise is for me to choose a streamer.

3. I haven't tried vanilla iTunes... I don't use iTunes on my Macbook at all plus all my tracks are encoded as FLACS. It's much easier for me to drag and drop FLAC files into the AV+ playlist window. Also I already had A+ on my Macbook since I've used it in the past to stream via Bluetooth from my Mac to a Bose SoundLink Mini speaker (shock horror! ) whilst on on holiday. Actually for its size it's bloody good!

Guillaume

1. Yes, I was being thick - obviously the output needs to be via one of the connections that you list.

2. I tend to agree with what you send. I could quite distinctly remember the sound of the top end Naim/Focal system that I heard a couple of weeks ago when I went back to listening to my Devialet/WB. I wouldn't pretend that I could remember every detail but the overall impression and differences between the two systems were very clear. A few days with a system to decide whether you really like is IMHO much better than blind AB testing. I somehow guessed that Rufus would be involved.

3. I really don't want to have to drag and drop files so I guess A+ isn't for me...
We were in Suffolk a couple of weeks ago (when it was still sunny in England) and played with a Sonos system - pretty good from a usability point of view but the sound was disappointing.

Philip