ARIES vs mini... Confused

[Jimmypowder]

I do too. Throw in the fact that I don't have to wrestle with computers and auxiliary programs and I'm done with the AREIS. However, it's just audio and the good thing is nobody here other than Miguelito has to listen to his system. While I'm surprised he doesn't like it more, I still enjoy reading his findings as that's what this craziness online is really about.

 

Aries sounds better then Mac mini using Audirvana in my setup and that setup sounds damn good .

 

Thus , I prefer the Aries .

 

I have an old Logitech Transporter and squeezebox Touch and the Aries blows those two away .

 

So here's my rank :

1) Aries

2) Mac mini with Audirvana

3) distant third too - Logitech products

[jtwrace]

Aries sounds better then Mac mini using Audirvana in my setup and that setup sounds damn good .

 

Thus , I prefer the Aries .

 

I have an old Logitech Transporter and squeezebox Touch and the Aries blows those two away .

 

So here's my rank :

1) Aries

2) Mac mini with Audirvana

3) distant third too - Logitech products

 

I agree but there is no need to get personal. That's all I'm saying. The ARIES for me has been absolutely amazing and one of the best things I've purchased for playback. It's everything and more than I hoped it to be.

[wdw]

I do too. Throw in the fact that I don't have to wrestle with computers and auxiliary programs and I'm done with the AREIS. However, it's just audio and the good thing is nobody here other than Miguelito has to listen to his system. While I'm surprised he doesn't like it more, I still enjoy reading his findings as that's what this craziness online is really about.

 

Someone's put a pea under his mattress and he hasn't a good night sleep since then. ;-)

 

Also second, that I enjoy your search for better sound...but maybe there truly is something defective with your Aries

[jtwrace]

Someone's put a pea under his mattress and he hasn't a good night sleep since then. ;-)

 

Also second, that I enjoy your search for better sound...but maybe there truly is something defective with your Aries

 

My ARIES is just fine!

[tranz]

J

I have a very differing opinion on the Aries compared to miguelito. I replaced a 2010 with SSD and all the goodies ( no LPS) for the reasons you outline...a pain to play any music.

The Aries is a significant improvemnt in sound quality and when you toss in the ease of use of Lightning DS there is no question, to me, which is the one to chose. I am very interested in any improvements wrought by the Uptone

Wdw

 

Hi wdw,

 

One of the biggest differences is the LPSU. No wonder the Aries beat your Mini in your setup.

 

My finding has been similar to Miguelito in that the Aries comes close in sound but not quite. Then again, I only use the Mini's stripped mobo with LPSU for mobo and harddrives and a bunch of other tweaks.

 

Functionality wise and ease of use, plug and play, with the latest firmware and DSL, the Aries is certainly far easier to use.

 

Cheers

[wdw]

My ARIES is just fine!

 

Oops...meant miggy

[wdw]

Hi wdw,

 

One of the biggest differences is the LPSU. No wonder the Aries beat your Mini in your setup.

 

My finding has been similar to Miguelito in that the Aries comes close in sound but not quite. Then again, I only use the Mini's stripped mobo with LPSU for mobo and harddrives and a bunch of other tweaks.

 

Functionality wise and ease of use, plug and play, with the latest firmware and DSL, the Aries is certainly far easier to use.

 

Cheers

 

Really does beg the question...what level of influence/improvement is offered by swapping in the Uptone. Suspect it is an improvement.

But I still question how a purpose built Linux box would be a lessor player than a hacked personal computer with all of its redundent processes.

Best to all

WDW

[FIndingit]

Some of us with somewhat brighter equipment, like me, think the latest FW now has too much sibilance on vocals...

[miguelito]

Some of us with somewhat brighter equipment, like me, think the latest FW now has too much sibilance on vocals...

Ha! Well, my system cannot be called "bright" but I would regard it as very neutral.

[miguelito]

Someone's put a pea under his mattress and he hasn't a good night sleep since then. ;-)

 

Also second, that I enjoy your search for better sound...but maybe there truly is something defective with your Aries

I don't think that there's anything wrong with my Aries. If I got distortion or dropouts or something like that I might think differently, but I do not.

 

Couple of things:

1- Aries as an appliance-type solution is probably as good as it gets. I very much doubt that any of the other server/renderers are better.

2- We are talking about very subtle differences - I could live with the Aries just fine

3- When you pull all the stops and start doing oversampling and whatnot with a machine with 16gb of RAM and 8 cores, well, I'm not surprised the Aries can be beat

 

Having said all of the above, I still have my Aries! I could happily live with it as-is. Alas, I am tempted to try other things.

 

Off to South Beach to party tomorrow. So long suckers!

[wdw]

I don't think that there's anything wrong with my Aries. If I got distortion or dropouts or something like that I might think differently, but I do not.

 

Couple of things:

1- Aries as an appliance-type solution is probably as good as it gets. I very much doubt that any of the other server/renderers are better.

2- We are talking about very subtle differences - I could live with the Aries just fine

3- When you pull all the stops and start doing oversampling and whatnot with a machine with 16gb of RAM and 8 cores, well, I'm not surprised the Aries can be beat

 

Having said all of the above, I still have my Aries! I could happily live with it as-is. Alas, I am tempted to try other things.

 

Off to South Beach to party tomorrow. So long suckers!

 

...aha...there's the rub! it isn't hardware per se...the comparison you're making is between NOS audio streaming to the Aries and massively oversampled audio with HDPlayer.

[miguelito]

...aha...there's the rub! it isn't hardware per se...the comparison you're making is between NOS audio streaming to the Aries and massively oversampled audio with HDPlayer.

Read my original... Jeez! I'm crystal clear there.

 

And btw... Comparing the two devices pulling all stops is perfectly legitimate. Can the Aries oversample? No.

[wdw]

Read my original... Jeez! I'm crystal clear there.

 

And btw... Comparing the two devices pulling all stops is perfectly legitimate. Can the Aries oversample? No.

 

now don't get testy, miggy.... ;-)

 

we are comparing peas to potatoes...the work that HDPlayer is doing, if it was happening after the Aries (in the DAC) the superior hardware and lower noise floor of the Aries would clearly show itself. You are not comparing a mini to an Aries, you are comparing a kabillion times over sampling to NOS digital audio

 

Have fun at South Beach,

WDW

[miguelito]

now don't get testy, miggy.... ;-)

 

we are comparing peas to potatoes...the work that HDPlayer is doing, if it was happening after the Aries (in the DAC) the superior hardware and lower noise floor of the Aries would clearly show itself. You are not comparing a mini to an Aries, you are comparing a kabillion times over sampling to NOS digital audio

 

Have fun at South Beach,

WDW

 

My comp included both no upsampling and upsampling. I'd suggest you read it.

 

And we are comparing final result. That is all I care about.

[Jimmypowder]

now don't get testy, miggy.... ;-)

 

we are comparing peas to potatoes...the work that HDPlayer is doing, if it was happening after the Aries (in the DAC) the superior hardware and lower noise floor of the Aries would clearly show itself. You are not comparing a mini to an Aries, you are comparing a kabillion times over sampling to NOS digital audio

 

Have fun at South Beach,

WDW

 

Yes my Miggy is comparing apples with oranges . Too many English ales in London for my Miggy !!

 

I'm off to South Beach .

[jtwrace]

Yes my Miggy is comparing apples with oranges . Too many English ales in London for my Miggy !!

 

I'm off to South Beach .

 

I don't know why but I'd love to see you and "miggy" together. I bet I'd laugh my ass off.

[Jimmypowder]

I don't know why but I'd love to see you and "miggy" together. I bet I'd laugh my ass off.

 

I'm hoping Miggy invites me to his palace in NYC ! His " golden ears" vs. my "peasant ears " .

[jtwrace]

I'm hoping Miggy invites me to his palace in NYC ! His " golden ears" vs. my "peasant ears " .

 

Maybe he'll host an audio wankerfest at his place. :-)

[Jimmypowder]

Maybe he'll host an audio wankerfest at his place. :-)

 

Well I hope I'm the first wanker invited !

[jtwrace]

Well I hope I'm the first wanker invited !

 

Guess we'll find out when he returns from the Yacht Club in SB.

[miguelito]

I'm hoping Miggy invites me to his palace in NYC ! His " golden ears" vs. my "peasant ears " .

Oh FELICIA, I have never used such terms, only you have... I just give you guys my honest opinion, in my system, to my ears... If you don't like that, you can take it with the Flying Spaghetti Monster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

[miguelito]

Guess we'll find out when he returns from the Yacht Club in SB.

Oh Jason... Really? That low?

[jtwrace]

Oh Jason... Really? That low?

 

I didn't mean it to be low. I have nothing but respect for you. Seriously. My apologies that it came across the wrong way.

[Jimmypowder]

I didn't mean it to be low. I have nothing but respect for you. Seriously. My apologies that it came across the wrong way.

 

Man , Miggy is having cocktails with Buffy and Todd from Darien ,Ct.!!!!!

[Jimmypowder]

Oh FELICIA, I have never used such terms, only you have... I just give you guys my honest opinion, in my system, to my ears... If you don't like that, you can take it with the Flying Spaghetti Monster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

 

I didn't know Miggy you were a nihilist ! We need an entire group over to your place to identify the gremlins

embedded in your system and root them out .