Another happy Auralic Aries Mini user coming from a MacBook Air using USB out to MF VLink 192 to Schiit Gungnir. ALAC files on external hard drive played by BitPerfect. Haven't upgraded the power supply on the Aries yet. It did let me get rid of the long USB cable from the MacBook and I don't have to keep the MBA running. The Lightning DS app on my iPhone is pretty neat. Most useful that phone has ever been to me.
SQ is at least as good as it was from the MBA when playing the same ALAC files on ext. hard drive (USB out from the Aries Mini into V-Link and then coax into the Gungnir). BUT I also think I might finally be hearing what people have been saying about Tidal streamed from the Aries (1 yr subscription included in the current Mini's US purchase price). Before the Aries, Tidal HiFi did not sound significantly better to me than Spotify Premium. Now, it sounds better than it did before....at least I think it does.
SQ is at least as good as it was from the MBA when playing the same ALAC files on ext. hard drive (USB out from the Aries Mini into V-Link and then coax into the Gungnir). BUT I also think I might finally be hearing what people have been saying about Tidal streamed from the Aries (1 yr subscription included in the current Mini's US purchase price). Before the Aries, Tidal HiFi did not sound significantly better to me than Spotify Premium. Now, it sounds better than it did before....at least I think it does.