AURALiC Aries S1 Streaming Processor
AURALiC’s S1 series products are crafted to deliver unparalleled sound quality within their price range. Drawing inspiration from the esteemed G2.2 reference products, these machines inherit premium audio technologies that set new standards in the industry.
S1 is the latest entry-level audio streamer that AURALiC offers. Powered by AURALiC’s cutting-edge Tesla G3 streaming platform, the S1 inherits premium audio technologies from the acclaimed G2.2 reference products, including Direct Memory Access (DMA), Direct Data Recording (DDR), Galvanic Isolation, and more. The role of the Aries S1 has undergone a significant evolution, transitioning from a mere streaming transport or bridge to a robust streaming processor.
Streaming Processor: The role of the Aries S1 has undergone a significant evolution, transitioning from a mere streaming transport or bridge to a robust streaming processor. With its advanced onboard processing capabilities, the Aries S1 now offers a plethora of processing features aimed at optimizing the audio signal: high-quality resampler, parametric equalizer, speaker placement compensation and loudness levelling. For the first time in the Aries lineup, this product can process incoming signals from digital or USB inputs. Leveraging its onboard Tesla G3 platform, the Aries S1 processes the signal, effectively removing jitter and artifacts before applying user-selected processing features to enhance the audio quality. The processed signal is then output via digital or USB connection, ensuring an enriched listening experience that remains faithful to the original source.
Pure Essence of Sound: Crafted to redefine sound quality, AURALiC's S1 series inherits premium audio technology from the revered G2.2 reference products. Powered by the advanced Tesla G3 streaming platform, these machines incorporate innovative Direct Memory Access (DMA) and Direct Data Recording (DDR) technologies for unparalleled performance. With Dual 60fs Femto Clocks and Galvanic Isolation, the S1 series achieves exceptional noise reduction, minimizing clock jitter and signal distortion to deliver a smooth, natural sound. Seamlessly streaming via Ethernet with Lightning DS software, Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect, and more, the S1 offers an immersive listening experience, integrating popular streaming services and supporting various digital input channels. Additionally, it plays music from NAS drives, USB drives, and CDs, with Roon Ready certification coming soon.
Flexibility to Explore: Aries S1 offers multiple input choices, enabling you to use your preferred music playback software effortlessly. It is 100% compatible with OpenHome based control software like BubbleUPnP and Linn Kazoo, as well as being a certified Roon Ready endpoint for optimized performance within your Roon ecosystem. Enjoy the convenience of TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect support, and experience seamless compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2 protocol. Elevate your music experience with the Aries S1 - where choice meets premium audio performance.
Lightning DS: Lightning DS is the ultimate control app designed exclusively for AURALiC streaming devices. Experience the power of seamless music management with the user-friendly interface, putting you in complete control. Browse and play your favourite tunes from various sources, including local files, streaming services, and internet radio, all with ease. The app's intuitive layout and efficient navigation make it a must-have for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.
Dual Galvanic Isolation: To avoid the interference associated with traditional open circuit designs, Galvanic Isolation in the Aries S1 separates electrical circuits while allowing data to flow between them. AURALiC created two special high-speed galvanic isolators and configured them between the Aries S1’s primary clocking, processing, and transmitting circuits. It’s a new level of protection against EMI that helps eliminate jitter, contributing to an unparalleled level of clarity.
A New Era for Streaming: Built on a quad-core 64-bit architecture, AURALiC’s Tesla G3 streaming platform delivers eight times the processing capability of its predecessor. Equipped with 2GB of DDR4 system memory, the Tesla G3 can easily handle even the most demanding processing tasks, making it a future-proof solution which will accommodate the rapidly evolving digital audio landscape.
The Tesla G3 platform also employs Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology for its audio input and output channels, enabling all audio-related hardware and software to access the system memory directly. This significantly reduces latency and jitter by 90% compared to Tesla G2, giving more flexibility to fine-tune the performance and sound quality of AURALiC products.
CD Playback & Ripping: Still have some love for your old CDs? Not to worry; you can plug a generic USB CD drive into your Aries S1 then choose to play a CD, rip a CD while playing, or just rip.
As with AURALiC’s Lightning file streaming, the unique CD playback feature uses the same advanced, jitter-reducing Memory Playback technology. CD data is first read, and compared several times for accuracy into the system cache before playing. The result is elimination of potentially induced jitter from the transport, cancelling any negative effects from the quality of your chosen CD drive, potentially improving performance beyond what’s offered from competitors’ CD players.
Dual 60fs Femto Clock: With a dedicated, low-noise 0.8uV power supply to minimize phase noise and keep it as quiet as it is accurate, the 60 Femto Master Clock is amazingly precise for less jitter, and immaculate sound. Its 60 femtosecond cycles — that’s 60 quadrillionths of a second — set a new standard for signal timing. Temperature-regulated for consistent performance, this clock is always there to keep things rock-steady.
Smart-IR Control: Smart-IR Remote Control lets your AURALiC device map its functionality onto any remote you’d like. Just let the device know which remote you prefer, and all of its operations (play/pause, volume control, track select, etc.) can be assigned to buttons just the way you like them.
2nd Gen Galvanic USB: Galvanic USB bypasses the noisy USB power supply to improve sound quality. Precise re-clocking reduces jitter, and brand-new galvanic isolation provides even more protection against EMI noise. The 2nd Gen Galvanic USB enhances compatibility with a wide range of DACs and ensures a more refined audio experience
About AURALiC
AURALiC was conceived in 2008 amidst the strains of beautiful music. That’s when founders Xuanqian Wang and Yuan Wang met at the Waldbühne Berlin Festival. Their shared appreciation of music and their perfectly complementary skillsets were the foundation for an inevitable collaboration, and in 2009 AURALiC was born.
Built around the idea that true hi-fi should be accessible to everyone, AURALiC today enjoys a worldwide reputation for innovative music streaming components that sound as great as they look. AURALiC build devices that help you explore digital streaming, discover new music, and share experiences with friends. They connect your home by delivering high-resolution music to every room and make novel use of your mobile devices to take control of it all.
Combining progressive technologies that deliver on the promise of modern digital formats with revitalized analogue circuitry and hardware rooted in classic designs, AURALiC is always creating new ways to bring you closer to the music than ever.
Our Take on the AURALiC Aries S1
The AURALiC Aries S1 Streaming Processor redefines entry-level audio streaming with its advanced onboard processing capabilities, inspired by the premium G2.2 reference products. Powered by the Tesla G3 streaming platform, the Aries S1 incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as Direct Memory Access (DMA), Direct Data Recording (DDR), and Galvanic Isolation. This evolution from a mere streaming transport to a robust streaming processor allows the Aries S1 to handle high-quality resampling, parametric equalization, speaker placement compensation, and loudness levelling. It can process incoming signals from digital or USB inputs, removing jitter and artifacts before applying user-selected enhancements. With seamless compatibility with popular streaming services and protocols like TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay 2, along with support for various digital inputs and Roon Ready certification, the Aries S1 offers a versatile and enriched listening experience that remains true to the original audio source.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Network Music Streaming Processor
- Streaming File Formats
- Lossless: AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, OGG, WAV and WV
- Lossy: AAC, MP3, MQA and WMA
- Sampling Rates
- PCM: 44.1KHz to 384KHz in 32Bit
- DSD: DSD64 (2.8224MHz), DSD128 (5.6448MHz), DSD256 (11.2896MHz), DSD512 (22.57892MHz)
- Control Software
- AURALiC Lightning DS for iOS
- AURALiC Lightning DS for web browser (device settings only)
- OpenHome compatible control software (BubbleUPnP, Kazoo)
- Roon (Roon Core required separately)
- Audio Inputs
- Digital Input: Coaxial, Toslink (2), USB Audio
- Streaming Inputs: Network shared folder, USB Storage, USB CD Drive, UPnP/DLNA Media Server, Amazon Music Unlimited, HighResAudio, KKBOX, Qobuz Sublime+, Netease Music, TIDAL/TIDAL Connect, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TuneIn, Internet Radio, Roon Ready
- Audio Outputs
- Digital Outputs: AES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink
- USB Output: USB Host to compatible DAC
- Network: Wired Gigabit Ethernet
- Power Consumption
- Standby: <0.5W
- Sleep: <10W
- Playback: 25W at max.
- Optional External Power Supply: AURALiC S1 Power Supply
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Included Accessories: Power Cable, Quick Start Guide
- Finish: Anodized Aluminium Case in Matte Black
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 207 x 85 x 290mm
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: 1 Year
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.
