Auralic Altair G1

As a DAC only device, it could last a very long time. As a streamer, it is on borrowed time with no more firmware updates. Auralic’s strong point was always its DAC technology.

You can access all the hardware settings from the web interface (http://auralic.local)

If you get another streamer, like the Aurender, your setup would be very good if you do want to keep the Altair.

I considered getting a new DAC but after a lot of research, I had doubts I would better the value of my Altair G1.1. I also like the nostalgic value for keeping the Auralic, like the same feeling I have for my Snell speakers.

Finally, if you are looking for an excuse to upgrade, you have a good one!

+1 @easystreamer. The Auralic G units are well built, and I would guess that currently, the return on the market would be small. They are Roon-Ready, compatible with OpenHome controllers, and the Web interface allows configuration. I'm keeping my Aries G1 for now.

I will add, while Auralic is indeed well known for their DAC technology, they were, IIRC, the first to demonstrate reliable wifi streaming, in the original Aries. Their streamers have always been well above average in this crowded marketplace.

Yes, I remember too how Auralic claimed to have implemented Wifi better than the rest without giving any real details. Not sure what else they could have done with the Intel cards they were using. I kind of guessed most user reported Wifi issues were ID-10-T issues.

I never had a problem with wifi streaming, no matter the product. You have to setup your home wifi thoughtfully with regard to device settings and physical arrangement. But then again I don't claim to hear the difference between wifi and ethernet streaming.

Other areas where Auralic paid particular attention in all their products were the power supplies and USB implementations. I am just guessing, but maybe that was the magic in their Aries streamers. They called it "Pure Power".

Then you had their over engineered Aluminum casework for shielding, especially the G2.x stuff with the inner copper Faraday cage.

Oh those were good times, good value!

Any streamer/dac combo recommendations? A streamer with a good sounding dac.  Or perhaps a cheap steamer into my current Altair? Run the streamer through the usb input?