Auralic Aries Mini

[jtwrace]

The Aries Mini will process these songs far more easily and with a faster WiFi you're good to go!

 

Yes, I'm able to stream DSD256 without any issues with my ARIES MINI.

[jtwrace]

Btw, Jason, can you share the full Mini user guide with us?

 

Not much to show at the moment.

[jtwrace]

Not much to show at the moment.

 

If you go the manual for the ARIES within LDS you can scroll through and see the other ARIES' and the MINI is included. Well, at least in 2.3. :-)

[jtwrace]

Can the Aries mini upsample PCM in internal/external HDD to DSD?

 

Not yet but don't know if that will be available. Doubtful IMO.

[jtwrace]

I cant' wait to grab one of these. I am wishing to use a LPS but I was wondering if I could use something like this.

Talema Transformer External Linear Power Supply PSU for DAC with Digital Display | eBay

 

I would need to have it on the 15v setting and use a 2.1 to 2.5 adapter on the end but for $80 it seems like it would work?

 

Am I correct about this or off in lala land.

 

Yes, minimum voltage requirement is a regulated 14Vdc for the ARIES MINI.

[jtwrace]

Is the LPS voltage switchable by the user? I'm in a country that runs on 240V. If I purchased a used Auralic LPS from a country running on 110V, can I switch it to 240V by myself or is much complex work needed?

 

Thanks

 

Jumper inside but you're on your own on how to do it...

[jtwrace]

JT I notice you have a Synology NAS. I have a DS214. Are there any tricky bits when installing minimServer?

 

Nope. Very straightforward.

[jtwrace]

Jason my vote would go to Lightning server instead, but Minimserver,, as you say, is straight forward.

 

OK. It all depends on what's important to someone. I don't b/c "The" listing info isn't like Minimserver.

[jtwrace]

I think rather than just beat the subject to death every user should just try them both and decide which they want to use. Once installed you can swap between them and decide for yourself. If you want what's probably the easiest then use the AURALiC server. It's already there so you just enter a few credentials and that's it. Minimserver isn't hard to install at all but it does take a few extra steps. Either way, they both work and sound the same so it's really up to you.

[jtwrace]

Expected mine to arrive this week... and it did not. Disappointed. It's a black one so it might take a little later to arrive in the UK.

 

What about some reviews?!

 

See above. Mine is black.

[jtwrace]

Hi jtwrace

 

 

I have read your comments and I think I understand.

 

I am planning to use the Mini with an internal HDD and fed directly into my Nait 2 (no external DAC). Am I correct in thinking that the Auralic LPS makes a hell of a difference in this set up and is worth the investment? I will of course audition but it would be good to hear others views.

 

Many thanks

 

Neil

 

Yes, I do think it makes a big enough difference to get the LPS.

[jtwrace]

Just for clarity, based on your previous posts, I assume you are talking about when using the internal DAC. I understand you think it is marginal when using an external DAC. Nonetheless I'm making the amb Sigma 11 LPS ( thanks for mentioning Leuwarden, I was unaware of it) even though I will be using an external DAC, so I'll be able to report my personal conclusions. I'll enjoy building the LPS, so I don't mind if it doesn't have much impact.

 

Yes, you're correct. Internal dac.

[jtwrace]

sometimes i'm 'lightning' fast

 

lol

[jtwrace]

- how about his one...... in the car with a DC PSU as the front end of your car stereo system.

 

Yeah, I'm waaaay ahead of you on this one...

[jtwrace]

Tell us more SVP.

Are you already set up to install it?

 

No, it will not work without a mod from AURALiC...

[jtwrace]

Not sure about the USA but in the UK cars use 12v batteries. Will a Mini run on 12v? Just thinking you could use the cigarette lighter / power socket.

 

No it will not. That's not the issue though...I've got that figured out.

[jtwrace]

Would there be any reason to go with a mac mini now?

 

Thanks in advance for any opinions

 

Yes, of course, if you are into subpar sound quality and like to complicate things a Mac Mini would do just fine for that purpose. ;-)

[jtwrace]

My problems with the Mini:

 

My music files are on my Synology NAS, JRiver runs on my MacBook Pro as SLNA server, Jremote runs on my iPad as DLNA control point. JRiver's library contains the files on my NAS. The Mini is connected either through its own WiFi function or wired to a WiFi-Bridge. My router, which provides the WLAN, is an AVM Fritzbox 7490.

 

In the "pure Aries" scenario, I run MinimServer and BubbleUPnP Server on my NAS. BubbleUPnP Server uses the MinimServer library as Media Server und the Mini as OpenHome renderer. Connection of the Mini is as above.

 

 

First problem: In both the JRiver scenario and the Aries scenario, random, sudden stops occur. Streaming to my OPPO BDP-105 as DLNA renderer never had this problem. In the JRiver forum, it was suggested that the player might have a problem with Event Subscriptions and with SetNextAVTransportURI.

 

Second problem: Using the Mini as Lightning Device in LDS, it constantly changes between "MyAries" and "No Device" at the top of the left column in LDS, as if the connection of the Mini is lost, then found, then lost again, then found again, and so on. This even makes accessing the Settings very difficult.

 

I also noticed the following:

When wired to the WiFi bridge, the yellow LED at the Ethernet port of the Mini is constantly flashing, indicating network access, although the Mini is idle and not in use. Sometimes the top LED turns solid amber, indicating a reboot. I even had the top LED flashing in two colours (white-amber-white-amber-white-amber...), which is not mentioned on Auralic's support site.

 

 

Could it be that my Mini is defect and needs to be exchanged??

 

Sounds like you have network issues.

[jtwrace]

Sorry.

the ARIES has only DIGITAL outputs.

 

Not true. This is the ARIES MINI thread which has RCA analog outputs only along with the its digital outputs.

[jtwrace]

I just ordered mine from night and day audio in NC. They have stock. Shipped out today

 

He's a great guy!

[jtwrace]

For those with using the internal storage, I have successfully been able to transfer my library (part of) to an HD hooked up to my Synology NAS for the transfer and then install into the MINI and have it scan. I did this as I wanted to put 1.8T of music on my MINI.

 

The steps are:

Install HD into MINI

Initialize HD (formats HD to ext3)

Remove HD and then hookup to Synology NAS.

Copy folder(s) to the HD Folder that the MINI created.

Rescan drive. Might have to do this twice.

 

DO NOT FORMAT DRIVE WHEN YOU CONNECT TO SYNOLOGY. The ARIES MINI has done this when it did the initialize step.

[jtwrace]

Thanks for this 5-step manual! It saves a lot of 'copy-over-the-network' time. It could be fast with a wired connection, but wireless is usually a lot slower.

 

Like I said before: spending € 200 - € 300 on an internal HDD for the Aries, saves you a lot of trouble in case streaming over your network doesn't work. I have the files on an internal HDD, but test with Minimserver on my Synology NAS as well. I have never run into a problem with scanning my library, but had a few hick-ups during playing. That didn't surprise me: my family is on the same wireless network (with Youtube HD streaming etc.).

 

The database of pvanosta is really big. Still, it should function well - of course it should. But chances are bigger that at some point you run into a memory, network congestion or invalid file format (including metadata) problem.

 

Thus, I repeat my advice: if size-wise possible put a HDD into the Aries Mini (or any other streaming solution you may own) for the best guarantee of a troublefree experience!

 

You're welcome. I should have said that I'm using a $99 2TB spinning HD not an SSD.

[jtwrace]

This just info from one person on another forum. I do not take this info for granted. Just promising info. I have a pendant answer from Auralic regarding if 12v drop will harm anything if powering Aries Mini with a 14,8v battery supply that cuts off the voltage at 12v. Normally it would'nt surprice me if 12v would be possible since 14-18v is the recommended voltage. If Aurelic does'nt answer I guess I just might take a look inside the Mini to see what is written on the regulator.

 

Ok then. Good luck!