I have just acquired an Auralic Aries G2.1 and I have some questions.
System: Audio Note AN-E SPx AlNiCo, Audio Note P4 Balanced, Audio Note M3 Line Balanced, Bricasti M3 with LAN.
The Aries G2.1 is connected to my network via ethernet cable. Roon Core is installed on a dedicated MacMini configured only for music, which is located in a different room near the WiFi router and connected to the network via WiFi (no hardwire connection to the network, streamer or DAC). MacMini WiFi download speed is ~150 Mbps.
DAC is a Bricasti M3 with Network card. So, I have the capability to compare sound from either the Bricasti M3 connected to LAN, or the Auralic Aries G2.1 connected to the Bricasti M3 via USB or AES (I have listened to both). AES cable is Harmonic Technology Magic Link MDS III Single Crystal (OCC) Silver cable. USB is Wireworld Silver Starlight 7.
Source material have been Qobuz files played via Lightning DS and Roon, and local files also played via Lightning DS and Roon.
My initial observation of the Aries G2.1 using Lightning DS (and to a lesser extent Roon) is that cymbals sound splashy and artificial. The presentation overall is a bit etched, and lacking organic texture and wholeness. The same material played on the Bricasti via LAN sounds natural without cymbal splashiness or artificiality.
Both digital cables have been used with other streamers (Rockna WaveDream NET, Innuos Pulse) and the sound has always been absolute, undistorted and pure, so I don't believe what I'm hearing is caused by the wire.
What I'm hearing seems to be at odds with multiple reviews and many owner comments, so I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what's up.
What could be causing this difference?
System: Audio Note AN-E SPx AlNiCo, Audio Note P4 Balanced, Audio Note M3 Line Balanced, Bricasti M3 with LAN.
The Aries G2.1 is connected to my network via ethernet cable. Roon Core is installed on a dedicated MacMini configured only for music, which is located in a different room near the WiFi router and connected to the network via WiFi (no hardwire connection to the network, streamer or DAC). MacMini WiFi download speed is ~150 Mbps.
DAC is a Bricasti M3 with Network card. So, I have the capability to compare sound from either the Bricasti M3 connected to LAN, or the Auralic Aries G2.1 connected to the Bricasti M3 via USB or AES (I have listened to both). AES cable is Harmonic Technology Magic Link MDS III Single Crystal (OCC) Silver cable. USB is Wireworld Silver Starlight 7.
Source material have been Qobuz files played via Lightning DS and Roon, and local files also played via Lightning DS and Roon.
My initial observation of the Aries G2.1 using Lightning DS (and to a lesser extent Roon) is that cymbals sound splashy and artificial. The presentation overall is a bit etched, and lacking organic texture and wholeness. The same material played on the Bricasti via LAN sounds natural without cymbal splashiness or artificiality.
Both digital cables have been used with other streamers (Rockna WaveDream NET, Innuos Pulse) and the sound has always been absolute, undistorted and pure, so I don't believe what I'm hearing is caused by the wire.
What I'm hearing seems to be at odds with multiple reviews and many owner comments, so I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what's up.
What could be causing this difference?
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