DirectStream DAC General Discussion (was First Impressions)

Audio Components DACs
289
frode, this screenshot is taken from:

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2014/01/auralic-announce-lightning-aries-usb-audio-streamer/



Thank you!
I like the clean layout =D>
Looking out for the Aries in Munich.

PS:
I have yet to see a picture of the Aries despite a lot of buzz.
I can't help thinking that this currently is vaporware.
290
@Ted: how does the clock built in the DirecStream compare to the Femto clock:
http://www.idt.com/products/clocks-timing/clock-generators-and-synthesizers/femtoclock-low-phase-noise-frequency-clock-synthesizers

Tho I haven't heard the IDT clock synthesizers, I have A/B'ed the SiLabs versions of them with a (very) expensive analog VCXO. I wouldn't be embarrassed to use the SiLabs jitter attenuating clock synthesizers in a product, they are pretty darn good. The analog VCXO has clearly superior phase noise plots and, to my ears at least, an undeniable edge in sound quality.

Thx.
Is there a reason (outside larger footprint and cost) for not using OCXO?
No significant gain in performance?


291

An OCXO is addressing a problem that doesn’t matter in audio. Audio only cares about short term accuracy (low phase noise) not long term accuracy. Now an OCXO might be built to a better spec overall and therefor sound better, but the reason wouldn’t be it’s extra temperature stability.

292

@Frode… Auralic showed and demoed the ARIES at CES this year. It was in a VEGA case… So definitely not vaporware. Auralic have been spending their time finishing up the Lightning control app…The finished unit will be on display at Munich in May…



PS:

I have yet to see a picture of the Aries despite a lot of buzz.

I can’t help thinking that this currently is vaporware.

293
@Frode.. Auralic showed and demoed the ARIES at CES this year. It was in a VEGA case.. So definitely not vaporware. Auralic have been spending their time finishing up the Lightning control app..The finished unit will be on display at Munich in May...

PS:
I have yet to see a picture of the Aries despite a lot of buzz.
I can't help thinking that this currently is vaporware.


Yes I know this because I am following this one closely.
I hope we will se a standalone version in Munich.
The MSRP of $999 seems reasonable.

294

Hi guys, sorry to get this so off topic with this discussion about the ARIES. At the same time, it gives us something to talk about while we wait for DS to be released to buyers in april (april, gee that’s like days away…). In the meantime, Gordon has given his blessings for us to discuss other topics among ourselves(I know, he’s verklempt).



A functional ARIES prototype was displayed recently at CES so we know that it is definitely NOT vaporware. As frode correctly points out, Auralic is working feverishly towards presenting in Munich in may. Lastly, Sonarecoeli, an audio specialty shop in Wisconsin, is taking names for pre-order(I know because I’m #7 on the list). The ARIES is said to be coming in 2 different versions but there is no information as of yet as to what that means and what price point the upgraded version will be set at. The rumor is that the femto clock and power supply will be upgraded with the pricier version but that has not been verified.



I’m particularly excited about the formal announcement that in Q3 2014 there should be software to allow one to plug a HDD (with music files loaded on) directly into the ARIES, thus eliminating the need for a wifi link to an NAS drive.



Esau

295
Gordon said: But I do believe that you just may find that the DS brings an additional and long awaited element of realness to the timbre and pace of the music that sounds just right.
Isn't it funny how some people may interpret that or not.

Not much to interpret; better timbre and timing are classic, traditional improvements wrought as playback equipment becomes more refined.

The hobby obsesses over such refinements. I assume all of us will be delighted if the DS makes significant strides in this regard.

Of course, YMMV.
296

@Esau;

I don’t consider the Lightning/Aries elaborations herein being OT at all.

If the app supports uPnP, than it is interesting as a control point if not proprietary Auralic.

Also, this unit may connect to a computer and then feed the DS, however the latter remains to be seen.

Most likely this will be BridgeII feeding it from the GB copper side on an 802.11ac Ethernet bridge that communicates with the Aries.

297
frode said: I don't consider the Lightning/Aries elaborations herein being OT at all.

Agreed. These discussions are always helpful.
298

Gordon a question or 2 or 3, if I might…



When listening to music thru the DS is there a sense of being enveloped IN the music, as in the instruments are right there in the room with you, being played?



Put another way, is it a near tactile (as in a reach out and touch it) experience, with each ‘voice’ having a unique 3d space, with the other ‘voices’ perceived as occupying their own separate location in relationship to each other?



And that the bass seems to ‘originate’ or come forth from the floor?



JJ

299
frode said: I don't consider the Lightning/Aries elaborations herein being OT at all.

Agreed. These discussions are always helpful.


Agreed - the auralic could make a nice companion piece. As I sit here struggling with a NAS that has gone a bit sideways on me, I find the discussion highly relevant. The best DAC isn't worth being a doorstop without a reliable way to feed it high quality data.
300
frode said: I don't consider the Lightning/Aries elaborations herein being OT at all.

Agreed. These discussions are always helpful.


Agreed - the auralic could make a nice companion piece. As I sit here struggling with a NAS that has gone a bit sideways on me, I find the discussion highly relevant. The best DAC isn't worth being a doorstop without a reliable way to feed it high quality data.


Very true, at least pre-DS. The DS may level the playing field in this regard.

301

@johnjen



When I first fired up the DS I sat in a nicely centered chair about 18 feet from the speakers.



My first listening session was short since the DAC was new [10 hours at PSA] and I did NOT want to form any opinion till it burned in a bit.

I did however listen enough for a taste of the signature.

I will try to address your questions .



johnjen said: When listening to music thru the DS is there a sense of being enveloped IN the music, as in the instruments are right there in the room with you, being played?




The first thing that struck me was more bass than usual and it was a bit tubby. It seemed to come from the stage but was not easy to localize. This tubbyness quickly [first 24 hours] tightened up but I still feel there is more bass being presented than the PWD.

Not really more 3D than with the PWD. At least, not with my system. I have heard many systems that seem to produce almost holographic images [jadis for example]. For me the DS did create more “air” between the players that affected the timbre in a positive way. I cannot attest that it impressed me with their positions other than what we already have with the PWD.

This can also be my set up and the choice of recordings I used. I did over time get the impression that I may have to revisit my set up to get the most from the DS.

It was at that point [while exploring the timbre] that I recognized a big change. Yes the timbre was more inviting and I felt I could explore more deeply into a voice or instrument. I have already achieved a lot of that with my system. It was how Natural and Pure the tones were that caught my attention.

This is where the off-axis listening came in.

Obviously when not directly in front of the speakers, we are prone to more reflections that will diminish any possible stage and affect tone and separation.

Not in this case. No matter where I sat or walked in or out of the room… The music sounded like REAL musicians. I am not saying “They are here” and wish to erase that from my realness definition. Really, how can they be here if they are not here.

BUT, their music sure can!

Imagine you are walking into a club where Arturo Sandoval and his group are playing. You cannot yet see the stage. Can you tell if the music is live rather than a recording while still in the entrance hall way?

That’s the real I mean.


302

@Esau;

Can you check two things for me (if info has been disclosed);

1) Since a NAS can presumably be directly connected to the Aries, does it have an USB port?

From the info. I have it seems to have USB.

If it has I reckon that 3rd party drivers cannot be installed, because the OS is proprietary Auralic I guess (or is it Linux like the Summit chip addresses?).

2) Is the Aries using the WISA standard for wireless? This would be a good thing I think and then most challenges are limited to implementation tasks. They have plans of incorporating DSD.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zfH0zW2dIjM



NAS with minimserver, connected to Aries streamer (with Lightning app), connected to the DS…

Please take my money!

304

frode, the ARIES will have a USB port to connect to a usb DAC so I don’t see where a Bridge II will be needed. The ARIES will connect via wireless to an 802.11ac router, and later(Q3 2014) via direct usb to a HDD.



BTW, while discussing the ARIES is appropriate to our discussion of the DS, it has little to do with Gordon’s (or anyone else’s) first impressions of the DS. It would be great to see a new thread started with owner’s impressions once the DS ships,



Esau

305
frode, the ARIES will have a USB port to connect to a usb DAC so I don't see where a Bridge II will be needed. The ARIES will connect via wireless to an 802.11ac router, and later(Q3 2014) via direct usb to a HDD.

So, if I get this correctly, the audio transport from Aries to renderer will be via USB and the link between the lightning app on the control point and the server will be via wifi. Since it uses the ac standard I presume that there is also uPnP built into the unit. If no audio is carried over wifi and NAS is connected either via copper to the router or Aries, I can't see the point in using high capacity ac. The iDevice needs no such capacity to control it. Also, few NAS uses wifi.

306

Aries will have USB, AES, Coax outputs. Only USB passes DSD, but the outputs are front panel switchable. Aries will have both wired and wireless Ethernet, wireless is 802.11ac in order to reliably stream hires. Files can be streamed from a nas, or PC on the network, and it maybe possible to hook up a USB drive directly to the Aries for direct local streaming, but of course it still would need a internet connection to do radio, or pandora etc.

307

The Aries is the renderer, or in PS Audio terms a Bridge. Lightning is their terminology for their OS.

308

And Aries can send audio over wifi that’s why it has / needs 802.11ac to reliably send DSD or Hires PCM over Wifi.

309
Speaking of HDtracks - check the spectrum ;) It looks like most hirez files are actually upsampled redbooks.


Massive massive overstatement. By and large most are actual hires. They carry most of the same files as any other site offering downloads. If you are complaining about one site you may as we'll complain about others. For instance superhirez.com doesn't give any info about anything unless they've done the transfers themselves (which is only the ap stuff).