Which should be better with the Aries, wireless or wired with good Ethernet cables?
Auralic recommends wireless if your network is up to the task as you eliminate the noise from wired Ethernet. I have used three different Auralic streamers over the last six years all wireless with no issues that weren’t house router related. So I would start there.
I’ve mentioned it before but as I’m listening to my Bridge II expecting my Aries G2.1 next week I’m experiencing some very good sound. Noticing that a few people recommend the XLR output of the Aries G2.1 and finding a good deal on a Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 XLR cable I went ahead with it and I will try it first with the Aries when I get it. I think I will just remove the Bridge II before installing the Aries as a few people have mentioned the improvement by removing it. The only thing I won’t do is the Matrix as I don’t physically have the space or the funds to invest in Matrix setup hence the fancy XLR. When I found a mint used one half price on US Audio Mart I grabbed it. I am using a Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI between my PWT and DS and love it so I should be happy with the XLR version of the Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8.
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Wireless.
I should have my Aries Friday or Monday. I’m excited for it!
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Here’s hoping it’s Friday!
People are telling me that the streamer works best wireless. Have you tried yours wireless?
Not yet, but I’m going to give it a whirl tonight.
I have a lot of Ethernet cables I probably will no longer need if my Aries does wireless well. Is there any reason to keep the Ethernet cables if Aries does wireless well? Worst case I will sell the cables.
I use mine wireless
I also use mine with wireless and it works great. I’ve streamed up to DSD128 from my NAS with no issues. I believe it supports up to DSD512 streamed via wireless. Not sure if any of us can tell you if there is a reason to keep your Ethernet cables. I guess if you use them on some other device then keep them.
I tried mine in wireless mode last night. Worked perfectly. I also think that there was a difference in the sound. While it may very well have been my imagination, the music seemed more lively, in a good way. In comparison, with the ethernet cable on the Aries, the music seemed flatter / duller. Will spend some more time going back and forth, but unless I think it sounds better using the ethernet cable, I will opt to go wireless.
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What Ethernet cables do you use? EtherRegan?
I get my Aries and Wireworld Platinum 8 XLR cable tomorrow morning. I’m very excited. I’ve been listening to the Bridge II this morning and it sounds good.
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For ethernet cables, I’m using ones that I got from Watchdog, who buys from the US manufacturer and terminates them. They are CAT8 Ethernet 10%Silver, Solid Core OFHCC Copper 22Gauge cables with Telegartner connectors.
I get my Aries and Wireworld Platinum XLR digital cable today before noon! I’m wide awake at 3:30 AM. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. My salesman at the cable company said they would take back the Ethernet cables if I don’t want them. He said it is up to me but that he thought I just may want to keep them. I am using Wireworld Starlight 8 from modem to Gigafoil and Wireworld Platinum 8 from Gigafoil to Bridge II. I will try it both ways but I hope that the cables work out.
Is it complicated to setup the Aries?
Depends on your skill level and level of comfort with computer media. Do you have an iPad or iPhone? If so, download the Auralic Lightning DS (aka “LDS”) app. There is no Android version unfortunately. Once you have the Aries connected to your system, launch LDS and follow the prompts for setting up a new device.
As for getting the Aries connected to your home network, see this link for guidance:
If you don’t have an iOS device you can simply point your browser to the G2 and you can configure it. You won’t be able to utilize the LDS library but you can use it to configure the box.
It’s pretty simple. You can set it up from the front panel, but using the LDS app is more convenient.
If you are going to use the LDS app to create a library of your music and you have your music files on a NAS and there is no password on your NAS, when you get to the stage in the setup where you have to log-in to your NAS, select “Guest”. If you don’t, then the LDS will not read your music files. Took me quite a while before I figured that one out.