I have been listening to/through:
Auralic Aries (w/Femto clocks) with directly connected externally powered 8TB WD USB HD library > Phasure LUSH USB cable .7m > Uptone ISO Regen & LPS-1 > DIY USB stubbie > Lampizator Gen 5 Level 4 DAC. HD and LPS-1 powered by HDPlex 100w LPSU. All digital equipment plugged into Blue Circle FX2 X0e CxT power conditioner which is fed by a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
Have used the Aries and Lampizator for nearly 3 years now.
Auralic has continually improved the Aries with periodic firmware upgrades and it functions and sounds better than ever. My Lampi has been tweaked to my system with a very synergistic tubes set (a lot of work and some $$ but well worth it).
It has dual a mono DSD engine installed that is particularly sweet and I upgraded the output caps to Jupiter Copper bypassed with Mundorf Silver/Oil. This setup really does "make music" and I’d do well to turn my attention to other parts of my system or just sit back and listen.
I’ve been tempted to try an Aurender, but only if I could manage to get one of their higher level models. The Auralic can still act a bit buggy at times, but most of that may be due to home network problems.
It will take something very special for me to give up my Lampizator DAC. I honestly have my doubts that a bare bones Atlantic would do that - but hearing is believing. Maybe one day I'll have that opportunity.
Auralic Aries (w/Femto clocks) with directly connected externally powered 8TB WD USB HD library > Phasure LUSH USB cable .7m > Uptone ISO Regen & LPS-1 > DIY USB stubbie > Lampizator Gen 5 Level 4 DAC. HD and LPS-1 powered by HDPlex 100w LPSU. All digital equipment plugged into Blue Circle FX2 X0e CxT power conditioner which is fed by a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
Have used the Aries and Lampizator for nearly 3 years now.
Auralic has continually improved the Aries with periodic firmware upgrades and it functions and sounds better than ever. My Lampi has been tweaked to my system with a very synergistic tubes set (a lot of work and some $$ but well worth it).
It has dual a mono DSD engine installed that is particularly sweet and I upgraded the output caps to Jupiter Copper bypassed with Mundorf Silver/Oil. This setup really does "make music" and I’d do well to turn my attention to other parts of my system or just sit back and listen.
I’ve been tempted to try an Aurender, but only if I could manage to get one of their higher level models. The Auralic can still act a bit buggy at times, but most of that may be due to home network problems.
It will take something very special for me to give up my Lampizator DAC. I honestly have my doubts that a bare bones Atlantic would do that - but hearing is believing. Maybe one day I'll have that opportunity.