Hi Folks!
I could use some advice from Auralic G2 users.
I’m currently using an Oppo 105 to stream Tidal and pull flac files off of a WD solid state 1 TB USB drive. These days I use the Oppo only as a file server and send the digital coax output to my DAC. The Oppo allows me to browse the directory structure on my drive and play directly from the drive. I spent a lot of time organizing the directory structure, and I prefer to browse and not use playlists.
I listen primarily to classical, and this is where the gapless problems start. Many classical pieces (and some non-classical) are continuous performances with separate tracks on a CD. I have ripped my CDs to flac files, and each CD track becomes a separate flac file. The trick is to play these tracks truly gapless. No breaks, no pauses, no clicks or pops.
The Oppo does play gapless (with some timing problems that can cause premature termination of play), but it requires additional controller clicks to get it to do that. The firmware is kind of a kludge. And, it will NOT stream gapless from Tidal.
So I’m thinking of getting an Aries G2 that I can control from my iPad. I want to use the G2 to play flac files with gapless playback and send the digital data to my DAC. I have some questions about how this puppy will work for me:
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Will the Aries G2 allow me to browse my music directories on my external drive and play gapless directly from the drive? I was told by Auralic support that this is “not recommended”! Really?
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Will the G2 stream gapless from streaming services like Tidal? And I mean gapless without any interruptions. As in continuous music. The response I got from Auralic was not at all helpful on this question.
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Does the G2 require a lot of special setup to gapless play a directory full of files? (I have entire classical pieces as separate files in one directory.)
So, has anybody out there had experience with the G1 or G2 with these gapless and browsing questions?
Finally, has anybody had experience with the difference in sound quality between the Oppo 105 digital output and the G2?
Thanks for the help!
Charlie