Auralic Vega G2 vs Aries G2

I’m hoping to refresh this thread.  Like Daeone, I have the Aries G2 and think it’s very good.  I’ve compared it directly to my Aurender N100 using same file, same cable into the same system and it’s significantly better.  But, that’s also going into the NAD M32 DAC Preamp which I also think is pretty good.  But, I’m considering the Vega G2 as a DAC as it also as a preamp function (analog volume).  

Daeone- can you comment further on your experience since you are also using the Aries and auditioned the Vega?  I’d appreciate hearing more of your perspective if you have it.

Best (and stay safe out there)
mgrif

Hi All,
A newbie here. My question pertains to using one of these DACs for headphones: Focal Utopia, Audeze LCD-2, MrSpeakers Aeon CB, and the Sony ZR-1.
I am looking at the Auralic Vega 2 and the Lumin T2, as an option for a streamer ( Tidal Hi Fi), DAC and headphone amplifier.
Your suggestions and thoughts would be very helpful.

Calgarian,

I currently own the Vega G2 and the Lumin T2. I listen to everything from jazz to rock to blues, etc. I have owned many different DACs from Mytek, Meridian, ProJect, Lumin, Auralic, etc etc.  G2 via XLR is very good. It would be up there in my opinion with any in its price range. I am less impressed via RCA output though. I’ve never noticed that big of a difference between the two in any unit. I understand the technology behind the benefits of XLR just never heard that much difference as with the G2. The Lumin T2 at $4,500 is a steal. It totally blows away any and every DAC/Streamer in its price range. It has much more power/bass- not sure how to explain it. The soundstage is great and the detail is good. The Lumin T2 is rock solid and I’m now considering upgrading to the Lumin X1 because if the T2 at that price can be so much better than every other DAC, then the X1 must be dynamic. You can not go wrong with either. I think these two are the best DACs under $10,000 and in my opinion it’s not even close. My personal preference between the two is the Lumin. I have played them side by side many times, playing the exact same songs one after another with the exact same cabling and system. The T2 our preforms the Auralic but again, it’s a personal preference. 

Daeone, I'd be interested in hearing your comments regarding the performance of the Vega G2 on it's own, without the Leo GX....and how that compares to your current Aries G2 (with the current DAC you're using)......I'm sure your Vega G2 with the Leo GX would be amazing!  

While I can't comment (yet) on the Vega G2 specifically I can on the Aries G2.  I have had one in my system for two months and my experience parallels nickaspappas's: streaming with the Aries is nothing short of spectacular.  I stream hi-res Tidal and Qobuz.  The last time I spun a disc was almost two months ago.  I also was a Roon subscriber.  Lightning DS is excellent in my estimation, with better sq and rock solid to boot.  I let my Roon subscription lapse.  I will have a Vega G2 and Leo GX next week. I have been streaming wirelessly but will try different combinations/connections then.

nickolaspappas, having owned the Vega G2 for a few months, have you had any issues with the app or any connection issues?  You still happy with your purchase?  I’m considering the same unit, but was a bit concerned that there is really a strong emphasis on the dac that the unit’s streaming capabilities were just so so.  I wasn’t really looking to upgrade again after this but the auralic lineup seems to encourage the additional Aries G2 as well as their Leo masterclock. I’m also considering The Lumin t2. 

Nicolas, (6-16-2018 comment): Beautifully spoken. And, at that level of performance (upper high-end SQ), represent excellent value (re: Auralic 'Vega G2' DAC).

pj

I just placed my order for a Vega G2 considering getting the Leo which will make a larger diffrence in sound over the Aries G2 , the Aries G2 would be nice if one don’t currently has a NAS

It’s not marketing nonsense because the manufacturer is on record on several forums stating that if you just want to stream Tidal the Vega G2 will suffice. Aries might add a slight bit more to streaming in addition to being a server.
As a Vega G2 owner for the last few months I can tell you that the sound quality of Tidal streaming directly from router is nothing short of spectacular. Beats any dac/transporter/renderer/server combo I have ever heard at home. Don’t need expensive cables, outboard power supplies, or USB filter/fixer. Volume control is great too. My system now consists off: router-> Vega G2-> amp->speakers

I asked a similar question on Auralic's forum.  Auralic said this...
"

Background info first:

The analog circuit inside DAC is the most important and sensitive analog circuit in the entire audio playback signal chain. It is the first stage of your analog signal amplification with extremely low distortion and extremely low noise level. Here we are talking about SNR over 120dB, DNR over 130dB, any sub microvolt level of noise can easily affect sound quality.

The digital circuit inside any DAC creates digital noise, this kind of noise can couple into analog circuit, via signal connection and EM radiation. In our G2 design, we use UnityChassis to block EM radiation from environment go into VEGA G2 and use Galvanic Isolation to prevent digital noise from processing circuit go into analog circuit via signal connection, however there is no way to block EM radiation from inside processing circuit efficiently as it is so close to the analog circuit.

How it worked and why:

When you use VEGA G2 with ARIES G2 via Lightning Link connection, the two device will talk to each other, some DSP calculation task inside VEGA G2 will be shifted to ARIES G2 as the later one has faster processor. This will offload VEGA G2’s processing circuit with reduced EM radiation. Since the EM radiation is reduced, the analog circuit’s performance get improvement and you will hear a better sound."

Still wondering if this is something I would be able to hear or if this is more of a theoretical reason to buy both.  Maybe I can hear both setups at a local dealer.