Auralic Lightning DS App (Software) - Impressions and Information

[jtwrace]

. Yes sorry (didn't have my glasses on!) I tried to go via App Store to update, didn't work so I deleted and reloaded the app. Rather strangely it is not now offering the update but I had initially exactly same prob as Vitor i.e. only my music library. After a bit of messing around restarting and going to wired rather than wireless etc I got it all back. Err don't think I'll touch another update until I know it's stable...

You do not update the FW via the app store. It is done within the DS App. Do it manually and it will work.

[jtwrace]

I'm only posting this for those that use a MacBook (like me) who often sit in front of their stereo while working. I really like DS Lightning as it becomes even better. However, going between devices while I'm working in front of my MB Air can be too much while my furry friends seem to take more room than me. :-)

 

So, here are some screen shots using Lumin Kinsky. I tried Kazoo but it doesn't seem to work using Yosemite.

 

Since this would be another application I'd totally pay $30 for a Mac DS App. I'm sure there wouldn't be enough people though to cover the cost of development.

 

 

Download from here.

[jtwrace]

I think people need to try to understand how this all works. The ARIES and therefore the DS Lightning App is very dependent on your network speed. Most issues anyone have are almost always network related. Take some time to understand it and make sure everything is correct on that end first before blaming AURALiC. They will help as much as they can IME.

[jtwrace]

An update, my Aries arrived yesterday (Friday), was pretty straight forward to get up and running, and it works great. Though I do have a lot of comments that could make the 'instructions' much easier - right now they require a pretty good computer/networking/'electronics gear' experience base as there's a quit a bit of "I should probably try..." required. My guess is the broad public will likely have some level of issue getting one to work, but I think improved instructions could help that a great deal. I always like o use my wife as the benchmark - she's smart, creative, reasonably handy, and has a solid "normal person" level of computer knowledge; no way could she have gotten an Aries up and running given the instructions (with good ones, she might be able to).

 

Brad

 

Feel free to write them and submit them to AURALiC. ;-)

[jtwrace]

Thought I'd post this here for those that use Synology. I updated to DSM 5.1 and Minimserver/Minimwatch both work fine as you can see in the screenshot.

 

[jtwrace]

Some more good news. TIDAL Streaming is working on DS Lightning! Also has Chinese and German language support.

 

[jtwrace]

That's great news! No computer involved correct?

 

Heck NO (Just an ARIES..)!!!

[jtwrace]

I don't have Tidal available only WIMP - I'm in the UK?

 

That's correct, nobody will until the end of this month when it's (1.6) released.

[jtwrace]

I realize Aries is a move from computer execution, but will/is Lightning software moving toward file integration ? I understand this is all beta, but page after page of data "fixes", is a turn-off. So my question to Mr Wang and Co. would be, will Lightning deliver proprietary scripting to integrate libraries stored elsewhere ?

 

There is no piece of software out there that doesn't have constant updating. If it doesn't, don't buy it. It's as simple as that IMO. There were some large growing pains but this product is very stable and works very well in the short amount of time.

 

As for your question, meaning to take a library from some other location and bring it in? I'm confused by your question. Can you clarify?

[jtwrace]

Version 1.6 with Tidal is released

 

Yes it is! Works great too!

[jtwrace]

Hi jtwrace,

 

Did you ever try Synology's Media Server on DSM 5.1 to see whether it works with Aries?

 

Cheers

DSM 5.1 has been installed since the beta was released. DSM 5.1 works with Minimserver and not the ARIES. So as long as it works with Minimserver it will work with the ARIES. Make sense?

[jtwrace]

Are we to expect a continual improvement in sound with these newer updates?

 

Mr. Wang has said that there could be more. The sound now is so good that if nothing else came in that dept I'd be OK.

[jtwrace]

I've had Aries since July. I'm using Minimserver on Synology DS413. Everything was running perfectly till about one week ago. Since I updated the Lightning app to 1.6 (and the most recent iOS update around the same time) all my album artwork got messed up. Random covers show up on random albums (e.g. Bob Marley on Queen or Eric Johnson on Miles Davis, etc). When I click on the album and it opens up, I still see the wrong art. But when I click on the album's header to play it, it shows up in the top left corner of the LDS with the right art. And when I tap on the album in the top left corner while it's being played, it opens up with the right art. I've tried everything - cleared cache, re-scanned my library, removed and re-installed the LDS multiple times, removed and re-installed Minimserver, re-started the Synology but the problem still persists. When I do re-install, for the first time the art is correct, but once I close the LDS and re-open it after some time (be it 5 min or 5 hours) the album art gets messed up again.

 

Please help!

 

Facing the same album artwork problem reported by junk. I think it is related to latest iOS update.

 

The only thing I know to recommend is to kill all apps on iPad (double tap home button and swipe up on all open apps) delete the cache in DS, rescan your library in Minimserver and then refresh DS and see if anything fixes itself.

[jtwrace]

It does fix but only for the first use. Once u close the ipad cover and re-open it later the messed up artwork shows back again

 

Strange. I would send an email to AURALiC Support from within the DS App and include a screen shot. You will get a quick reply.

[jtwrace]

I was having this problem and followed the above. Now my music library is empty? When it scans I can see it scanning all of the albums but the end result is nothing!

 

Disregard - I didn't have minimserver checked after the clearance of the cache. DOH!

 

Actually I do have one problem. After being away for a week, I can't play any of my playlists any more? I had this problem before I cleared the cache, so that isn't the reason.

Are you sure you're in regular stream mode for Network playback and say not TIDAL mode? That's all I can think of. I leave my ARIES and Vega on 24/7 and it doesn't have an issue.

 

On second thought. Power off the ARIES and power it back on. It might have lost wireless signal and got it goofed up. Try it and let us know.

[jtwrace]

Every time I add music I have this issue.... Refresh the cache: Settings > Music Library > (your music lib server) > Refresh Cache.

 

Very strange. I've never had this issue. Please report to AURALiC with an email. Also, this almost sounds like a Minimserver issue. Have you posted on the Minimserver forum? Simon the developer is very very responsive and helpful.

[jtwrace]

A glance of Android cell phone version of Lightning DS

 

[jtwrace]

Service sidebar activated

 

[jtwrace]

Kinsky 4.3.17 is working well from my MB Air. I often am using my computer while listening to it's nice to not have to have another device to change tracks or add something.

[jtwrace]

Many posts ago on this thread, below wish list was posted. I've recently started using an Auralic Aries and definitely recognise some of these as myself.

 

1) Sorting order needs to be from # to Z and Z to #

 

2) App is slow to update artwork when scrolling

 

3) In album playing now view, the playing track needs to be highlighted

 

4) Auto sleep for the ARIES screen like the Vega

 

5) View on iPad in portrait view

 

6) Text font "bold" option. Some with weak eyes might struggle a little bit.

 

Especially #'s 1,2 and 5 I would add on my wish list and would add the following:

 

- the way 'various artists' albums are dealt with (I've seen the early posts by Eloise),

- I would like an option to choose which default view to use and not just 'by album'

- like others have posted, I would prefer the words like The, A etc not to be considered in sorting orders

- I'm coming from using MPad with Auraliti and the 'consume' function I would surely like to have on the Lightning App as well. (basically a track disappearing from view in the queue once played)

 

From a sound quality perspective, a great step forward vs the PK90 I was using until recently, from a user friendliness point of view though there is some work to be done in my opinion.

 

I've not scrolled through all 20 something pages to find potential answers to these wishes and apologies if some had already been offered.

 

cheers, M

 

One more for the LDS;

It is irritating that the progress bar cannot be advanced when a pop-up window is active.

You either have to close the pop-up or move tracks to playlist to use this feature.

 

I have submitted most of these when I first got my ARIES. However, send AURALiC feedback too!

[jtwrace]

I am very interested to buy an Auralic Aries streamer, but dont know if the Lightning DS is available for my Macbook Pro 2014 because I dont own an iPad. Could I command the Aries also with Macbook or is an iPad a must, sorry for dumb question, but I am new to the streaming world. Many thanks Eric.

 

You need an iPad for setup. After that you could use Kinsky on your Mac Laptop. Android version is coming soon too if that helps.

[jtwrace]

Simply cannot do without an iPad. Kinsky will let you control it from a mac (not 100% sure to what extent you can control playback)

 

As I said, iPad for setup but Kinsky can control all playback functions. I use it quite frequently when I'm working on my MB Air. It's just an easy three swipe to toggle between screens.

[jtwrace]

Just an update that there is a new Minimserver & Minimwatch update. 0.8.3 has been installed on my unit successfully You can download from here and see the release notes here. Don't forget that Simon is extremely helpful on his forum should you have any issues.

 

Oh, and don't forget to donate to this project. ;-)

[jtwrace]

Do you guys leave your ARIES powered on 24/7? I do as it draws very little power and this way it's connected to the network all the time too. Haven't tried if it makes a real difference but I wonder if you guys are putting them into standby. Just a thought.

[jtwrace]

Very cool.

 

http://www.google.com/cast/audio/