Auralic Aries Mini

[jtwrace]

ARIES Mini wont be available in U.S before the RMAF (which is the official launch).

Looking forward to it!

[jtwrace]

There are other apps for iPhone if it's that big of a deal

[jtwrace]

I will try to answer the questions of the MINI as I can. I've been testing this device for a couple of weeks so far. To say it's incredible is an understatement.

[jtwrace]

Does anyone know what voltage / amps the Mini needs?

 

I can confirm that it works great with the ARIES 16Vdc supply ($299). The recommended minimum is 14Vdc.

[jtwrace]

I can confirm that it works great with the ARIES 16Vdc supply ($299). The recommended minimum is 14Vdc.

 

+1

 

I would like to know if it could handle 19v... or 12v from my HDPlex.

 

I think 16Vdc is the max. I think.

[jtwrace]

thanks JT. Can you confirm the size and polarity of the DC connector. How do you come to have a MIni already? Please tell us more about why you think it is so good and what you are comparing it with. Thanks

 

Same as ARIES. Center pin positive. 2.5mm x 5.5mm I have one since I've been doing beta testing on LDS since I was the first paying customer and was very disappointed and wrote them an email and volunteered to help test as that's the only way it can be done. It has just continued.

[jtwrace]

HD Info

 

[jtwrace]

ARIES MINI Filter Mode

 

[jtwrace]

When using an external DAC, did you find the Aries PS made a significant difference compared to the stock PS?

 

Subjectively I *think* I did.

[jtwrace]

Must be a small difference then. Surprises me a bit...

 

OK. The other way is massive..

[jtwrace]

When using an external DAC, did you find the Aries PS made a significant difference compared to the stock PS?

 

Speaking another language I think I don't understand?

 

Is the ES9018 still inside the Mini? (I am on the list to buy one and use it with a separate DAC. But my DAC died a couple of weeks ago (new one on the way) so a back up DAC is a nice thought.

 

The above was the question asked. So, if using the MINI as a streamer/dac the difference is massive.

[jtwrace]

ARIES MINI Filter Mode

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21569[/ATTACH]

 

These are the same filters as the Vega (1 - 4) which are explained here.

[jtwrace]

Hi

 

@jtwrace

 

It would be great if you could give some impressions on using the Aries Mini as a standalone usb DAC in a stereo setup?

Compared to say similar priced Mirco iDSD and maybe the Concero HD (same 9018-2m chip as the Mini).

 

I am looking for a DAC around the same price tag. If the Aries Mini is as good as a DAC then having the additional Streamer options

will make it the best choice for me.

 

So it will be great if you give some impressions on the DAC part. Thanks

 

Comparing the Micro iDSD and MINI is interesting. Sonically I'll say they're similar but the MINI with it's functionality if only being used in house is hands down the way to go IMO. I only use my Micro for travel though. The MINI is a real high end product that serves a purpose if the streaming part is what you're after. For less money and a year of TIDAL included I don't see how anyone could want more. Also, if one was to save some money and add a LPS to it the performance only gets better. As noted above this is when using the MINI as a streamer/dac. Not only streamer as I don't think there was a difference there. If there was it was small IMO. Of course this is all subjective.

[jtwrace]

And also when using it with an external DAC please . . .

 

I mentioned that above. It works great into my Vega and other dacs. No complaints whatsoever. Compared to my ARIES with the UpTone Audio JS-2 and using the stock AURALiC LPS on the MINI is quite scary to be honest. Given the cost difference it makes me sad.

[jtwrace]

Jason,

I hope you can spend a few minutes comparing the Mini (standalone DAC sq) to the Vega. Why? Because in this hobby it does not surprise me that the final 5-10% cost an order of magnitude to get there. Nevermind the functionality or flexibility.

 

Michael Lavorgna heard it in prototype mode at Munich and said the dropoff in sq wasn't much (but indeed a dropoff); these comments are at a show environment of course. I passed on his comments on an Audio Circle thread. A user, jarcher, lambasted those comments and basically chastised us for perpetuating them!

Auralic Aries Mini

 

I'd like to hear from you, a veteran Auralic user, with both products in the safe and familiar confines of your home system, what you think the dropoff is. Thx

 

OK, Ted. I'm not as good as you are but lets take a ride. Comparing the MINI as a dac/streamer to the MINI and Vega combo is quite interesting. Using the AURALiC LPS on the MINI is a must IMO for you want the "best" sound it can produce. However, when all said and done the difference is maybe 20%. I had a very long listening session yesterday and actually forgot what I was listening to and it was enjoyable beyond belief. The one option that I LOVE with the MINI is the filter setting from within LDS. I was listening to something and it was a bit harsh, I opened the app and clicked on "smooth" and all was better. I'm pretty sure the stock AURALiC LPS is $299 and it's quite good actually.

[jtwrace]

Hi,

 

One major fail with it will be the lack of an Android app to control it, iPad/iPod only I'm afraid. Which is ok if you already have an iPad/iPod, however .......

 

Mike.

 

I'll disagree.

[jtwrace]

Hi Jason,

Thanks a lot for all your efforts to keep us updated!

Besides support for the Mini, have you noticed any other new features and inprovements with LDS 2.3?

 

No, 2.3 is for MINI support as far as I know. Even the firmware update was too and there are two new features there but I haven't had a chance to test them as it just came and they're for the ARIES.

[jtwrace]

Hi jtwrace, I remember you from Audio Asylum and Audiogon.

 

I am considering an Aries or Aries Mini as a Squeezebox Touch replacement. If you were a newbie like me, would you go for the Mini?

 

I currently use the Squeezebox Touch as a player into an external DAC, with a Macbook running Logitech Media Server, with my music stored on about 5 WD My Book 2 TB drives attached to the Macbook, all in another room from where my 2 channel setup is.

 

Will the Aries or Aries Mini work for me in the same way but with less buffering and dropouts and less noise on Hi Res material?

 

Thanks

 

There are no dropouts with the ARIES or ARIES MINI if you have a stable network. That is very important and most people's issues are directly related to their network. If you have 10TB of music I'd recommend some sort of storage solution such as a NAS. This way you can wirelessly stream the music to the ARIES/MINI and rid yourself of using the computer. If you external dac is really good you could probably just go with the MINI. It all depends on budget though. Money no object, go for the ARIES. Save a few bucks go with the MINI and upgrade the to the LPS later on if you feel the need.

[jtwrace]

LPS is Linear Power Supply, what is LDS?

Sorry if these questions have been answered already.

 

Answers to these are only the last few pages.

 

LDS = Lightning DS is the control point software from AURALiC.

[jtwrace]

Actually, I went through all pages and there isn't a comparison with the Squeezebox Touch. One would be helpful if possible.

 

Right. There isn't and can't be as only two people have them now.

[jtwrace]

Those two people will probably be Xuanqian Wang and Jason

 

And now Chris C.

[jtwrace]

Thanks Johan.

 

So to sum up, you think I may not have the rebuffering issue with the Mini because of the improvements you mentioned? Have you or anyone else experienced rebuffering with the larger Aries?

 

The noise may still be a problem?

 

Thanks

 

I don't have those issues with my ARIES or ARIES MINI.

[jtwrace]

BTW Jtwrace, do you still have your Cary SLP 05?

 

Not for 8 years maybe.

[jtwrace]

I suggest you bone up on the wifi speed support differences of the Touch and the Aries. Anything will buffer if your network speed sucks

 

This is 100% true and why I mentioned in my above post that one's network has to be very good for these devices to work well. Nothing special but people think that if they can surf the net then the ARIES will work fine. That might be the case most of the time but it doesn't take much so careful setup to the network speed and coverage will solve most issues of that kind.

[jtwrace]

What specs should I look out for for both devices?

 

It's not really about specs - it's more about coverage of the area and making sure the transfer speed is there once setup. Most routers will work today and there are many that people use successfully. Of course the latest technology is great but as long as it has 'ac" capability and the placement of it isn't too far and not too many walls between it and the ARIES you should be fine.