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Network Streamer Award Winner 2025 - Hifi+ Magazine
Editors Choice Award 2024 - hifipig.com
"Great Sound Quality and High Value"
The VEGA S1 represents the pinnacle of AURALiC's state-of-the-art DAC technology, showcasing excellence in both its hardware and software.
At its core lies AURALiC's proprietary Fusion DAC, a groundbreaking innovation that seamlessly integrates the finest elements of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs. In addition to this advanced DAC technology, the VEGA S1 incorporates an analog volume control and analog preamplifier features derived from the acclaimed VEGA G2.2, ensuring a listening experience characterized by unmatched detail and precision.
An Easy Upgrade Path
The performance is outstanding. And the VEGA 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.
Award-Winning Performance
The VEGA S1 was honored by Hifi+ with the magazine's Network Streamer Award Winner 2025.
"Jason Kennedy’s initial findings were that the S1 on its own 'delivered a supremely engaging result, maybe not the richest in detail or tonal terms, but superbly timed with excellent definition.' As he further explored the VEGA S1’s performance, he became ever more impressed with the way it played music he knew well; 'I usually listen to this excellent music on the record player; I had no idea a streamer could deliver it so effectively, let alone one at such a reasonable price.'"
Editor's Choice Winner
"Why am I giving the award I have? On its own I consider the AURALiC S1 to be an outstanding product that offers a fabulous sonic performance for two grand and on its own it is an Editor's Choice award winner, for sure," reports Stuart Smith in his August 1, 2024 review for hifipig.com.
"It is an accomplished streamer and DAC that balances its presentation beautifully between detail retrieval and a smooth and relaxed sound presentation. The noise floor is astonishingly low!"
In his HiFi Huff channel on YouTube, Steve Huff praises the AURALiC S1 to the hilt "There are DAC's in these price ranges that stand out a little bit from the rest in what they do. The AURALiC S1 VEGA without the PSU, first I'll say, was sounding really, really, really, good. I told you transparency, gentle details.... When I added the dedicated power supply that comes in at an extra grand, things really got more refined. Smoother. The sound stage expanded – and more beautiful sound..."
"A Benchmark at Its Price Point"
"Auralic is to be congratulated on the Vega S1; in terms of features, build and sound quality, notes HiFi+, June 6, 2024.
"It deserves to bring AURALIC to a broader audience, especially those who appreciate that a music streamer is all about making music files sound great rather than the contents of a flashy box. I, for one, rather like the box as well."
"In a Different League"
"It has been a long time since I heard a VEGA G1 but can say with some confidence that this new VEGA is in a different league. Not only does it have virtually all the features found in the VEGA G2.2 but when combined with the S1 Purer-Power it approaches its sound quality too," reports Jason Kennedy in his review for the-ear.net, April 22, 2024.
"I am confident that the VEGA S1 will be a thorn in the side of shinier boxes from bigger brands because it proves that when you get the fundamentals right great sound quality and high value follow," Kennedy concludes.
"An Excellent Streamer and DAC"
"The Auralic Vega S1 is an excellent streamer and DAC that impresses in both categories," reports Philipp Schneckenburger, Germany's lite-magazin.de, June 2, 2024. " It ensures a seamless connection between local streaming and online services, offers good options for customization, and can be perfectly controlled... If you want to get real HiRes sound from your files, the Vega S1 is the right choice." </p
"Even though this is the new entry-level line from specialist AURALiC Ltd., the AURALiC S1 Series should still be able to clearly set itself apart from the rest of the market in the streaming sector, as it is based on technology that was developed for the company’s reference line, the AURALiC G2.2 Series," says Germany's Das HiFi Magazin, April 23, 2024.
PureDAC Mode and Tone Mode Adjustment
Breaking new ground, AURALiC introduces two pioneering technologies in the VEGA S1: PureDAC mode and Tone Mode adjustment.
PureDAC mode empowers the VEGA S1 to disable all streaming and network-related functions, dedicating all resources to digital signal processing and conversion tasks. In this mode, the VEGA S1 utilizes Direct Data Recording technology to store music signals from any digital or USB input in the past hour to Tesla G3's system memory, allowing users to replay music from any point at any time.
The Tone Mode adjustment refines the output sound character of the DAC by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology. This innovative feature enhances the listening experience, elevating the VEGA S1 to new heights of audio excellence and musical enjoyment.
Premium Audio Technologies
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), Fusion DAC, Galvanic Isolation, and more.
The VEGA S1 offers XLR and RCA analog 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 input channels. Additionally, the S1 will be Roon Ready upon completion of Roon certification.
"Resolution Is Extraordinarily High"
"The energy level is lively and resolution is extraordinarily high for a $2000 DAC," observes Michael Garner, tweakgeek.com, November 8, 2024.
"All of this may have you thinking the Vega S1 might be bright or hyped up in the upper midrange/treble regions. That would be incorrect. To me it presents the virtues of a Sigma Delta DAC in optimal light. Precision, accuracy, speed, and yet musical instead of analytical. A nice cup of coffee, espresso, or black tea for the ears."
"An Outstanding Product"
"There’s a huge amount to like here. The Lightning DS is an ace in the pack with one of the best front ends out there. The unit itself looks beautiful and understated but effortless in combination with the power amplifier," reports Simon Wilce, hifiandmusicsource.com, May 31, 2024.
"The clean, crisp, resolving sonic signature sets this VEGA S1 apart at this price level simply because it uses technology from a price level nearly 3-4 times more than this one. And there is a clear upgrade path here that caters for simple needs (like CD players and headphones) or more complex ones like power supplies and streaming transports. At this price, this is an outstanding product."
Lightning Streaming
The VEGA S1 has streaming based on the Lightning Streaming framework. That means favorite AURALiC features like On-Device Playlists, Memory Caching, Gapless Playback, and Bit-Perfect Multi-Room are all at your fingertips. With support for every audiophile format and resolution up to 32bit 384khz PCM and DSD512, the stellar VEGA S1 is the embodiment of what high-resolution digital-to-analog conversion should be.
AURALiC developed Lightning OS to be the highest-quality streaming environment you've ever heard. A meticulously-crafted software architecture designed specifically to work hand-in-hand with the powerful Tesla hardware platform found in AURALiC streaming products, Lightning OS is full of cutting-edge innovations that bring your music to life like never before. Connect to all your of high-resolution sources, take control with user apps like Lightning DS or Roon, and meet true audiophile streaming.
Fully Passive Analog Volume Control
Precise control, distortion free, noise free. The only way to get all three is to painstakingly construct a R-2R resistor ladder network - and that's exactly what AURALiC did for the VEGA S1.
Eight coil-latch relays remain entirely passive when not in use, drawing no power and producing exactly zero EMI noise. Once set, the VEGA S1's volume control system remains electronically invisible. This is one more detail that helps the VEGA S1 push the boundaries of sonic performance.
Whisper-Quiet Operation: Dual Galvanic Isolation
To avoid the interference associated with traditional open circuit designs, Galvanic Isolation in the VEGA S1 separates electrical circuits while allowing data to flow between them. AURALiC created two special high-speed galvanic isolators and configured them between the VEGA 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.
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.
In his review for the-ear.net, Jason Kennedy observes, "Adding the S1 Purer-Power supply and removing the power lead from the Vega S1 proved to be pretty dramatic, it was not unlike going from regular video to 4k with a good source, the amount of perceived information seemed to double."
"Now every note had depth and shape, this did spectacular things for imaging which expanded in every dimension and filled the room in a way that made the self-powered streamer seem inhibited. It also felt like the level had increased and the quality of recording. Likewise, if you like the colours and shapes of stereo sound then this power supply is less of an option and more of a necessity. Detail that had previously been hinted at became solid and real and the presentation relaxed in the process."
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.
