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Applause Award 2024 - stereonet.com
"Excellent" Rating – hifi.blog
"Operationally Smooth, Beautifully Built, and Very Well Engineered"
The ARIES S1 is the latest outstanding audio streamer from AURALiC. Since its last version, The ARIES has undergone a significant evolution, transforming it from a streaming transport to a robust streaming processor.
Powered by AURALiC's cutting-edge Tesla G3 streaming platform, the S1 inherits premium audio technologies from the acclaimed G2.2 reference products, including Direct Memory Access (DMA), Direct Data Recording (DDR), Galvanic Isolation, and more.
With its advanced onboard processing capabilities, the ARIES S1 offers a plethora of processing features aimed at optimizing the audio signal. These features include a high-quality resampler, a parametric equalizer, speaker placement compensation, and loudness leveling.
An Easy Upgrade Path
The performance is outstanding. And the ARIES S1 includes an easy upgrade path. To coax every last bit of hi-end sound out of your music files and other sources, you can take the quality up another significant notch by adding the AURALiC S1 External Purer-Power Supply (optional purchase, sold separately). Read on for more information.
"One of Auralic's Best-Ever Products"
"The new Aries S1 is one of Auralic's best-ever products – and that's really saying something," reports David Price in his April 22, 2024 review for stereonet.com, which honored the Aries S1 with an Applause Award.
"It unlocks a world of seriously high-quality streaming at a relatively affordable price and does so with the élan you would expect from this brand. For those already with a DAC that they know and love, it's a no-brainer. Operationally smooth, beautifully built, and very well engineered, if you're looking for a serious streamer, then it's hard to think of a reason not to audition one."
Onboard Processing Features
For the first time in the ARIES lineup, the ARIES S1 can process incoming signals from digital or USB inputs. Leveraging its onboard Tesla G3 platform, the ARIES S1 processes the signal, effectively removing jitter and artifacts before applying user-selected processing features to enhance the audio quality. The processed signal is then output via digital or USB connection, ensuring an enriched listening experience that remains faithful to the original source.
The ARIES S1 features USB and digital outputs. It supports seamless streaming via Ethernet through AURALiC's Lightning DS, AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Internet Radio, and a range of digital inputs.
Direct Memory Access
The Tesla G3 platform employs Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology for its audio input and output channels, enabling all audio-related hardware and software to access the system memory directly. This significantly reduces latency and jitter by 90% compared to Tesla G2 for finely tuned performance and sound quality.
Whisper-Quiet Operation: Dual Galvanic Isolation
To avoid the interference associated with traditional open circuit designs, Galvanic Isolation in the ARIES S1 separates electrical circuits while allowing data to flow between them. AURALiC created two special high-speed galvanic isolators and configured them between the ARIES S1's primary clocking, processing, and transmitting circuits. It’s a new level of protection against EMI that helps eliminate jitter, contributing to an unparalleled level of clarity.
The Pure Essence of Sound
AURALiC S1 series products are crafted to deliver unparalleled sound quality within their price range. Drawing inspiration from the esteemed G2.2 reference products, these components inherit premium audio technologies that set new standards in the industry.
Powered by the cutting-edge Tesla G3 streaming platform, the S1 series leverages AURALiC's innovative Direct Memory Access (DMA) and Direct Data Recording (DDR) technologies - seamlessly recording incoming audio data into the Tesla G3's system memory and transmitting it directly to the low-level audio hardware. With the inclusion of Dual 60fs Femto Clocks and Galvanic Isolation, the S1 series achieves an unprecedented level of noise reduction.
The meticulous attention to detail in the S1 series ensures that clock jitter and signal distortion are minimized to an extraordinary degree. The result is a remarkably smooth and natural sound character that faithfully reproduces the nuances of the original audio, providing an immersive listening experience that captivates the senses.
Optional Power Supply Upgrade
For enthusiasts who are dedicated to elevating audio performance to the next level, AURALiC presents the optional S1 Purer-Power External Power Supply Unit (sold separately). This unit is designed to further enhance sound quality, offering an unparalleled audio experience for those who demand the utmost in performance and fidelity.
Michael Holzinger in his hifi.blog review for November 22, 2024, gave the ARIES S1 with the Purer-Power Supply an "Excellent" rating.
"It is almost a shameless understatement when AURALiC Ltd. talks about the AURALiC S1 Series as an entry-level solution, at least that’s what we have to accuse the company of in view of our detailed test of the AURALiC ARIES S1 Streaming Processor in conjunction with the optional AURALiC S1 External Purer-power Supply Unit."
"What you get here is nothing less than a flexible solution for streaming at a remarkable level of quality, in which AURALiC Ltd. already brings a lot to the table that makes its products so unique. Here you get it at an outstanding price-performance ratio."
A Seamless Streaming Experience
The AURALiC S1 series offers a seamless streaming experience via Ethernet using its proprietary Lightning DS software, Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Internet Radio, and a variety of digital inputs, including USB audio, coaxial, and Toslink.
Lightning DS seamlessly integrates popular streaming services like Amazon Music Unlimited, TIDAL, Qobuz, TuneIn, KKbox and more. Additionally, the S1 can play music stored on NAS drive, USB drive and CD drive. The S1 will be Roon Ready upon completion of Roon certification.
Lightning OS V10 - Ever Powerful Streaming
AURALiC's celebrated Lightning Streaming platform commemorates its 10th anniversary with the much-anticipated release of version 10.0 firmware. This milestone update brings new features like PureDAC mode and Tone Mode to enhance sound quality.
Lightning OS V10 will be available through Over-The-Air updates for compatible products by the end of April, marking a significant leap forward in audio performance and functionality for AURALiC users worldwide.
Note: This product provides full streaming functionality but does not have a DAC. External DAC required, or connection to integrated amp, receiver, or other compatible component with built-in DAC.
