AURALiC ARK MX+ DAC Review

The AURALiC ARK MX+ digital to analog converter is a well engineered, uniquely constructed, and very good sounding DAC. Right out of the box it's visually and physically evident the ARK MX+ was built to a very high standard. This 12 lbs. DAC made of iron, nickel, and silicon looks and feels like it was built to military specifications. Internally the AURALiC ARK MX+ houses some unique design elements including the main attraction AURALiC Sanctuary Audio Processor. This multi-core ARM9 processor and the ARK MX+ unique ActiveUSB™ asynchronous USB interface is a combination not found in any other converter. The aforementioned building blocks play a major role in solidifying this DAC's foundation and most importantly contribute to the final result that is very good sound quality.

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<b>ARK MX+ DAC - Well Engineered, Uniquely Constructed</b>

The $1,999 AURALiC ARK MX+ is not simply another version of the same industry standard parts assembled under a unique name. This Digital to Analog Converter DAC was designed by AURALiC, in combination with Switzerland based ArchwaveAG, using a distinctly different approach from any DAC I've yet reviewed. AURALiC and ArchwaveAG designed the unique <b>AURALiC Sanctuary Audio Processor</b> that comprises the core of the ARK MX+. The Sanctuary Audio Processor is built on an ARM9 multi-core processor. This processor is capable of handling 32 bit / 192 kHz multi-channel audio without breaking of sweat. However, the rest of the DAC is not as capable as this powerhouse processor. The ARK MX+ handles two audio channels up through 24 bit / 192 kHz. Nonetheless it's nice to know the hardware is capable of much more than anyone could ever ask of it. On a side note, many CA readers probably recognize the name ARM. ARM processors are in close to 90% of the world's mobile devices such as phones, tablets. and portable music players. Another unique design element of the ARK MX+ is its USB implementation. According to the USB Prober application available for Mac OS X the ARK MX+ is an Isochronous asynchronous data endpoint. That in itself is not incredibly unique. Wavelength and <i>dCS</i> have had Isochronous asynchronous USB DACs for years. What is unique to the ARK MX+ is what AURALiC calls <b>ActiveUSB</b>^™. ActiveUSB^™ uses a large data buffer, up to two seconds of audio, and a multi-stage high resolution PLL circuit to severely limit the digital disaster known as jitter. Astute and purist Computer Audiophile readers likely noticed that the ARK MX+ is asynchronous but also uses a PLL. The purist asynchronous USB group of people have held strongly to the view that no PLL can be used in a truly asynchronous USB implementation. Instead of a PLL to generate a synthesized clock signal purists use two crystal oscillators. One for frequency multiples of 44.1 kHz (88.2, 176.4) and the other for multiples of 48 kHz (96, 192). This is where things get interesting. The AURALiC ARK MX+ also contains two crystal oscillators, one for each same rate family. In one way the DAC is like other asynchronous USB DACs and in another way it's like adaptive USB DACs that use PLLs. I haven't been able to clearly understand how this specific data path works as it's not like anything I've ever used. When consulting with an industry veteran and colleague who has designed high end components for decades I was told AURALiC is using asynchronous sample rate conversion (ASRC) within frequency families (44.1 kHz or 48 kHz) so the PLL is run in slave mode but with a new master clock for the output. This DAC run in asynchronous USB transfer mode and uses asynchronous sample rate conversion (ASRC). Most DACs use one or the other for of async. In addition to the clocking scheme with fixed oscillators and a PLL, the ARK MX+ uses a <b>self-adapted up sampling</b> circuit. AURALiC, and many other manufacturers, are believers in the sonic benefits of upsampling when its done right. This specific upsampling implementation uses more of a purist method of converting from one frequency to another. The self-adapted upsampling automatically selects the final frequency based on the original incoming frequency. Music with a base rate of 44.1 kHz is upsampled 176.4 while music based on a 48 kHz clock is upsampled to 192 kHz. According to AURALiC and many audio purists this method of upsampling avoids distortion created when converting frequencies using a non-integer algorithm such as converting 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz. There is no simple answer or best method of upsampling. Asking ten engineers for the best method would likely produce twenty different answers. Potential customers are encouraged to listen for themselves if at all possible.

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Additional somewhat geeky information about the AURALiC ARK MX+ includes the use of AURALiC's Pure-Power^™ AC filter that isolated common-mode and differential-mode interference, a customized Plitron low noise transformer, an AKM AK4399 32-bit DAC chip and a TI SRC4392 sample rate conversion chip that's limited to 24 bits. The ARK MX+ does not contain a digital or analog volume control. The DAC requires one to use a preamp for best sonic results. Analog outputs are both single-ended (RCA 2Vrms) and balanced (XLR 4Vrms). I used the balanced outputs exclusively for this review. Digital inputs on the ARK MX+ are limited to USB and Coaxial S/PDIF (electrical RCA). In lieu of an additional digital input AURALiC opted for an AES/EBU digital output capable of the same sample rates as the inputs up through 24/192. This digital output allows one to use the ARK MX+ as a USB to AES converter if desired.

External design elements of the AURALiC ARK MX+ include material to block electromagnetic interference and dampen resonances. AURALiC's AFN402 material is an alloy consisting of iron, nickel, silicon and other rare metals. Lifting the ARK MX+ or wrapping on the external housing with one's knuckles is a good way to experience what AFN402 is all about. AURALiC is also using its Alire^™ resonance damper material on the ARK MX+. Alire^™, according to AURALiC, <i>"[is] made by arranging and pressing multiple raw materials of diverse resonance frequency from layer to layer. ticking Alire^™ to the inner side of cabinet so as to make the 'sandwich' structure, resonance could be effectively restrained and its resonance frequency could be changed.</i>" The ARK MX+ is a very solid unit to say the least. My one minor complaint about the unit has to do with its feet. The ARK MX+ has three feet on the bottom made of plastic cylinders with rubber in the center. The <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2012/0202/plastic-cylinder.JPG" class="thickbox" rel="AURALiC-ARK-MX+">rubber pads</a> of the feet don't extend beyond the plastic cylinder/housing. Thus, the DAC's hard plastic cylinders touch the component, rack, or desk underneath the unit. A fairly heavy DAC such as the ARK MX+ can easily scratch most surfaces it rests upon if the rubber feet don't protrude beyond the plastic cylinders.

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<b>Using The AURALiC ARK MX+ DAC</b>

<img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2012/0202/USBtoAurender-250.png" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 5pt 5pt;" align="left">I used the AURALiC ARK MX+ for a few months in a few different configurations. One configuration didn't work, one worked well, and one worked wonderfully. The AURALiC's asynchronous USB implementation requires either a Class 2.0 USB compliant operating system such as Linux and OS X 10.7 or installation of the included software for proper operation under Windows. I attempted to use the ARK MX+ with the Aurender S10 music server from Widealab. The ARK MX+ was recognized as an async 192 kHz DAC by the Aurender but that's where the fun stopped. For the most part the ARK MX+ does not work with the version of Linux used in the Aurender. Redbook 16/44.1 content played fairly well but suffered from pops and ticks every thirty seconds. Music above 44.1 suffered from more pops and ticks as the sample rates increased. As a control for my testing I used the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB converter with the Aurender and it functioned perfectly at all sample rates via USB. Thus, I know the Aurender can operate just fine with high resolution USB devices just not the ARK MX+. The second configuration I used was a MacBook Pro running OS X 10.7.x, Pure Music as recommended in the ARK MX+ manual, and iTunes 10.5.x. The ARK MX+ worked well without any software installation. Sample rates switched on the fly even up to 24/192 without a hitch. The third configuration I used was a <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server-CAPS-v20">C.A.P.S. v2.0</a><a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server-CAPS-v20"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a> server, with SOtM tX-USB card, running Windows 7 and JRiver Media Center 17. It was this configuration I used 95% of the time during the review period as it worked wonderfully.

Using the ARK MX+ with Windows required installation of the AURALiC software. This software installs an ASIO driver and an AURALiC USB control panel. This control panel is unavailable when using the ARK MX+ with another operating system. The two main features I used in the control panel were Sample Rate Selection Mode and the Isochronous Streaming settings. The Sample Rate Selection Mode can be set to Automatic or Manual. Readers guessing that Automatic Mode will adjust the sample rate automatically are incorrect. The required setting that allows applications such as JRiver Media Center to switch the sample rate on the fly is Manual Mode. This is a bit counterintuitive but once it's set a user should never have to return to the setting. The Isochronous Streaming settings page offers users the chance to tweak playback more so than on Mac OS X or Linux. On this page users can adjust stream buffer, ASIO buffer, and WDM buffer depth. According to the ARK MX+ manual, <i>"Buffer depth settings will affect jitter performance of ARK MX+ which results in different sound quality. It is always recommended to set the value as low as possible. A modern PC with a ‘clean’ Windows system should be able to replay music without interrupt at all three buffer depths set to lowest."</i> In my experience changing buffers to an extremely low number of samples or low ms value has only increased instability, not sound quality. Many CA readers report opposite results thus it's recommended user fiddle with these settings until their heart's content. Taking the advice of the manual I set the ms value to 1, the lowest setting. Playback was a bit choppy with drop outs, pops, and ticks. I doubled the value to 2ms and had success for the rest of the review period. (I also set the JRiver ASIO buffer settings to 0.02s). In fact, after setting all buffers to 2ms I tried to make something bad happen such as a drop out or halted playback etc. I changed sample rates excessively and even let JRiver run for a couple days to see if I could at least cause the ASIO Statistics display to show a dropout. I was unsuccessful. 2ms was the lowest setting I could use and it was rock solid from start to finish.

I attempted to use the AR MX+ with other audio output modes such as WASAPI, WASAPI - Event Style, and Kernel Streaming but wasn't able to output stable sound. This was more of a test than anything else as the DAC ships with a special ASIO driver.

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<b>Listening To Music Through The AURALiC ARK MX+ DAC</b>

Listening to music through the ARK MX+ was a pleasurable experience. The sound quality coming from my system with the AURALiC DAC in place was very good. Like all audio components the ARK MX+ has its own sonic signature that some listeners will love while others prefer something different. I don't think many audiophiles could listen to the ARK MX+ and completely dislike the sound. Again, it's very good. My overall impression of the sonic character was that similar to the equalizer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_face_curve">smiley face curve</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_face_curve"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a> with bass and treble up and midrange at the bottom of the smile. There is a reason this EQ curve is so popular. People really like it. The sound was a bit thicker or heavier than I prefer at the bottom end and a touch congested in the midrange at the bottom of the smile. This thickness is not to be confused with slowness as the ARK MX+ was not slow at all (for the most part) even to the lowest bass notes. I used the qualifier "for the most part" in the previous sentence because I experienced a strange slowness over the whole frequency spectrum while playing a couple 24/88.2 kHz tracks. I couldn't quite grasp what was going on because this slowness was absent throughout all my other listening sessions. Who knows, maybe this had more to do with me than the DAC. Perhaps the best thing I heard while using this DAC was blasting a few Pearl Jam albums at 90+ dB! The AURALiC ARK MX+ is a terrific rock and roll DAC.

Comparing the AURALiC ARK MX+ to my Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Series 2 with Alpha USB converter I concluded a major difference between these two DACs was air and space around the instruments throughout the soundstage. The Alpha DAC ($5,000) reproduces music with an incredible air surrounding the musicians and an openness at the top that is, pardon the pun, hard to top. Listening to Antonio Forcione & Sabina Sciubba's <a href="http://www.naimlabel.com/recording-meet-me-in-london-192.aspx">Meet Me In London</a><a href="http://www.naimlabel.com/recording-meet-me-in-london-192.aspx"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a> (192kHz Super Hi Def Edition) on the Naim Label was really good through the ARK MX+ and great through the Alpha combination, at over triple the price. Partly because the Ark MX+ is a really good sounding DAC and partly because this recording is stellar, the whole listening experience can take one's mind out of the real world for 45 minutes. Track number two Take Five is a great take on the Dave Brubeck classic. Highly recommended and downloadable at 24/192 directly from the Naim Label. Listening to Gary Karr's Bass Virtuouso (<a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/45079/Gary_Karr-Plays_Double_Bass-HDAD_2496_24192">Classic Records HDAD 2013</a><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/45079/Gary_Karr-Plays_Double_Bass-HDAD_2496_24192"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a>) at 24/192 gave me a different perspective of the ARK MX+. If sound could be captured in a photograph the finish would be matte as opposed to glossy. There's no right or wrong, better or worse, just personal preference that may change based on the type of music or subject of a photograph. Maybe the ARK MX+ would be great in combination with a system that's a touch too bright or glossy. Lastly I listened to the new album <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chimes-Freedom-Songs-Bob-Dylan/dp/B006H3MIV8">Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chimes-Freedom-Songs-Bob-Dylan/dp/B006H3MIV8"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a>. Disc three track 19 is a cover of Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by pop star and Auto-Tune queen Ke$ha. Surprisingly this track has none of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-Tune#In_popular_music">effects that made her famous</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-Tune#In_popular_music"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a>. Maybe that's why I like it quite a bit. It's simply Ke$ha's voice with a tiny instrumental in the background toward the end of the track. Listening through the AURALiC ARK MX+ the track sounded really good and a bit on the dark side. Listening to the same track through my Berkeley Audio Design setup I heard more openness at the top and got a better feel for the recording space. As I said a couple times earlier the AURALiC ARK MX+ produced very good sound with a character that many CA will enjoy. Especially at less than $2,000.

<b>Conclusion</b>

The AURALiC ARK MX+ digital to analog converter is extremely competent in this very competitive segment of the DAC market. The unique design of the ARK MX+ sets it apart from much of the competition. The Sanctuary Audio Processor controlling the entire unit with an ARM9 chip is distinctly AURALiC. In addition the well engineered asynchronous USB implementation is unlike any I've reviewed to this point. Using this DAC with a Windows computer enables listeners to tweak the ASIO driver if they so chose. Throughout my entire listening experience with the ARK MX+ the ASIO driver was rock solid and stable. The also solid iron and nickel chassis is as heavy as the rock music reproduced so well by this DAC. I had a blast listening my favorite band Pearl Jam through the very good AURALiC ARK MX+.

<b>Product Information</b>:

<ul>

<li>Product - AURALiC ARK MX+</li>

<li>Price - $1,999</li>

<li>Product Page - <a href="http://www.auralic.com">Link</a><a href="http://www.auralic.com"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a></li>

<li>Where To Buy - <a href="http://www.auralic.com">Direct (For U.S. Customers)</a><a href="http://www.auralic.com"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a></li>

<li>User Manual - <a href="http://files.computeraudiophile.com/2012/0202/ARKMXPLUS_USERSGUIDE_R1.pdf">Link (PDF 2.5MB)</a><a href="http://files.computeraudiophile.com/2012/0202/ARKMXPLUS_USERSGUIDE_R1.pdf"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/ca/icons/ex.png" style="padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3pt;" alt="link"></img></a></li>

</ul>

<b>Associated Equipment</b>:

<ul>

<li>Source: <a href="http://www.aurender.com/">Aurender S10</a>, <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server-CAPS-v20">C.A.P.S. v2.0 Server</a>, <a href="http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/">MacBook Pro</a></li>

<li>Remote Control Software: <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aurender/id426081239?mt=8">Aurender iPad App</a>, <a href="http://www.jremote.net/">JRemote</a></li>

<li>Remote Control Hardware: <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone 4</a>, <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/">iPad</a></li>

<li>Playback Software Windows 7: <a href="http://www.jriver.com/">J River Media Center 17</a></li>

<li>Playback Software Mac OS X 10.7.x: <a href="http://www.channld.com/puremusic/">Pure Music</a></li>

<li>DAC: <a href="http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/">Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Series 2</a>, <a href="http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/">Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB</a></li>

<li>Preamp: <a href="http://www.audioresearch.com/LS27.html">Audio Research LS27</a>, <a href="http://www.emmlabs.com/html/audio/pre2/pre2.html">EMM Labs PRE2</a></li>

<li> Amplifier: <a href="http://www.belcantodesign.com/Belcanto_Ref1000M_Amplifier.html">Bel Canto Design ref1000m</a></li>

<li>Loudspeakers: <a href="http://tad-labs.com/en/consumer/cr1/">TAD Labs CR1 Compact Reference</a></li>

<li>Cables: <a href="http://www.audioquest.com">AudioQuest Redwood Loudspeaker Cable</a>, <a href="http://www.audioquest.com">AudioQuest Niagara Balanced XLR Analog Interconnects</a>, <a href="http://www.mogamicable.com/category/bulk/dig_interface/aes_ebu/">Mogami W3173 Heavy Duty AES 110 ?</a>, <a href="http://www.audioquest.com">AudioQuest NRG-100 Power Cables </a>, <a href="http://www.wireworldcable.com/products/107.html">Wire World Silver Starlight USB Cable</a>, <a href="http://www.audioquest.com">AudioQuest Diamond USB Cable</a>, <a href="http://www.kimber.com/products/interconnects/digital/select/ks2020/">Kimber Select KS2020 S/PSIF Coax Cable</a></li>

</ul>