Just picked up a Auralic Aries S1 from Upscale Audio(nice guys to work with btw), a couple weeks ago so I think I have enough time logged with the unit. This streamer plugs into my Chord Qutest. It’s digital like I’ve never heard before! Sitting in my fully tubes system, Shindo & QuickSilvers driving KEF Reference 1 Meta spks on dedicated stands. I believe the Aries S1 / Qutest combo at $3600 is amazing for what it does at its price point. I don’t think one can do better unless you go over $5k, my subjective opinion. No power supplies, no tweeks needed to apply, like before.