Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- The QX-8 delivers a sound signature that is dynamic, non-fatiguing, and smooth, while providing ample resolution and a large soundstage
- It delivers the 'Ayre Acoustics Sound'—extremely neutral, dynamic with very well-controlled bass, and an overall lack of hardness
- Refined tonality and is tonally accurate in its overall presentation
- The QX-8 is Roon Ready, simplifying installation and performance for users with a Roon server
- Features a modular design, allowing users to select and pay only for the input options they need (USB, Ethernet), and upgrade later if desired
Product Considerations
- If warmth or midbass fullness is desired, one might be disappointed by the QX-8
- A substantial burn-in period (100-500 hours) is required to reach its best sound quality
- The single transformer in the QX-8 may limit dynamics compared to DACs with more robust power supplies or external power supply options
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Ayre Codex: The QX-8 sounds similar, but better—more dynamic and expansive, while retaining the Codex's tonality
- Vs Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and Uptone JS-2 PSU: The QX-8 had a bigger and deeper soundstage, and individual instruments were easier to distinguish
- Vs Schiit Yggdrasil: The QX-8 had better texture and resolution on percussion, more coherent soundstage, smoother tone, and matched the Yggdrasil's dynamics
- Vs Ayre QX-5 Twenty: The QX-5 Twenty provides better dynamics, bass, resolution, and refinement
Takeaway: The QX-8 is a high-end DAC that offers a refined and neutral sound with impressive resolution and soundstage, making it a serious contender in the high-end DAC market. It is a great choice for those seeking exceptional tonal neutrality and an engaging musical experience.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
QX-8 Digital Hub
reviews
[{"title":"Ayre Acoustics QX-8 Digital Hub review","link":"https://darko.audio/2019/04/ayre-acoustics-qx-8-digital-hub-review","source":"Darko Audio","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"My Quest for a new DAC, Part 2 - Ayre QX-8","link":"https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/my-quest-for-a-new-dac-part-2-ayre-qx-8-r737","source":"Audiophile Style","datePublished":"2018"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Digital Audio Inputs: Optical/SPDIF/AESEBU (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz PCM 16, 20, 24 bits DSD64)
- Line Output: 4.5 Vrms balanced, 2.25 Vrms single-ended
- Headphone Output: 9.0 Vrms balanced, 4.5 Vrms single-ended
- Power Consumption: 60 watts in operating mode
- Dimensions: 17.25″ W x 13.00″ D x 4.5″ H (44cm x 33cm x 11.5cm)
- Weight: 12.5 pounds (5.7 kg)
- XLR Input Polarity: Pin 1 = Ground, Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive), Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)
Description
The QX-8 Digital Hub provides a total solution for state-of-the-art digital music reproduction. An Ethernet cable, USB source, or most any digital component connected to the QX-8 will allow you to enjoy a vast digital music library. You can also simply plug-in your favorite set of headphones and enjoy a musical experience that invigorates your soul.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Ayre products are fully balanced and employ zero-feedback designs, prioritizing signal purity and a non-colored sound signature over textbook measurements.
- The company customizes rather than relies wholly on industry-standard DAC chips, opting instead to bypass much of their built-in functionality and create proprietary filters, clocking, and oversampling within a Xilinx FPGA for optimized performance.
- The brand emphasizes the importance of power supply design, employing custom EI-core transformers and linear power supplies, with particular attention paid to RF filtering and isolating various circuit sections.
- Machined casework from solid aluminum billets provides structural rigidity and isolates internal components, which together with stainless steel hardware, avoid magnetic materials known to negatively impact sound.
Select products
Select product comparisons
EX-8
- Positioning: A versatile all-in-one solution for modern audio systems.
- Description: Features a modular design and extensive connectivity options, including Ethernet, USB, and multiple digital inputs, making it ideal for users seeking a flexible and future-proof system. Unlike the VX-8, which focuses on pure amplification, integrates a DAC and streaming capabilities. Its 100 watts per channel power output is suitable for small to medium-sized rooms.
VX-8 Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A stereo power amplifier designed for high-quality sound reproduction in a traditional setup.
- Description: Features zero-feedback, fully-balanced circuitry, providing a warm and musical experience. Offers more power than the EX-8, with 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms. While it lacks the integrated DAC and streaming features of the EX-8, it excels in pure amplification.
AX-5 Twenty
- Positioning: An integrated amplifier that combines Ayre's advanced technologies in a single chassis for high-performance audio systems.
- Description: Features Double Diamond output stage and EquiLock circuitry, providing exceptional clarity and control. Offers more power than the EX-8, with 125 watts per channel. Unlike the VX-8, includes a preamplifier section, offering a more compact solution for those who want high-end performance without separate components.
VX-R Twenty
- Positioning: A high-end stereo amplifier that incorporates technologies from Ayre's flagship monoblocks into a single chassis.
- Description: Offers superior power and control with its 200 watts per channel output. Shares the zero-feedback, fully-balanced design with the MX-R Twenty but in a stereo configuration, providing a more affordable option for those who want flagship performance. Its advanced power supply and EquiLock technology ensure excellent clarity and resolution, setting it apart from the AX-5 Twenty and VX-8.
MX-R Twenty
- Positioning: Ayre's flagship monoblock amplifier, representing the pinnacle of their amplification technology.
- Description: Delivers exceptional power and precision with 300 watts per channel. Features Ayre's exclusive EquiLock and Double Diamond technologies, offering the highest level of clarity and control. Compared to the VX-R Twenty, provides even greater power and separation, designed for the most demanding audio setups.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
25
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
140
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
14
Founding Year
1993
Our take on the brand
Ayre Acoustics is distinguished by its zero-feedback circuit design and Double Diamond output stage, which eliminate feedback loops and use multiple diamond buffers to reduce distortion. The brand's products deliver a smooth, refined sound that's often compared to tube amplifiers, achieved through their Equilock gain stage technology and fully balanced, discrete circuitry.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
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Brand Page
What if you spend more?
dCS
Lina Network DAC
15740
15740
/
14
Reviews
dCS Audio is distinguished by its proprietary Ring DAC technology, which uses a custom mapping algorithm to reduce distortion, and its dCS Expanse headphone processing platform that enhances spatial sound. The brand's products, particularly the Bartók Streaming DAC, are favored by professional recordists and mastering engineers, while their Vivaldi and Rossini APEX systems have earned recognition for setting new standards in digital playback.
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Product Strengths
- Startling clarity
- An extraordinarily clear view of the 'reality' of the recording
- Subtlety is exposed, which made listening a fuller, more complex experience
- Sound quality is unmatched in terms of technology, design, build and finish
- A very fluid, massive and somewhat dynamic soundstage
Product Considerations
- The dCS Mosaic app is starting to feel clunky
- Basic display
- Some holes when it comes to features
- Audiophile sound is mostly faint clouds hovering between boxes
- It is wished the streamer had Wi-Fi compatibility, but dCS sees this as compromising on sound quality
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Denafrips Terminator Plus—it replaced the Denafrips Terminator Plus
- Vs Chord Dave DAC—the Chord Dave gets very close in sound to the Lina, but the Dave leans a bit leaner and sharper where the dCS Lina is fuller, thicker, smoother with more density
- Vs Weiss 501—the dCS is a smooth sounding DAC indeed, but it is not one of those that sound overly smooth, the Weiss 501 sounds closest to an in-studio experience, where we get the master tape kind of sound
- Vs HiFi ROSE 150b—the ROSE feels and looks to be built to a similar level (at least the outside), and is gorgeous as well, it's not nearly as refined or together in the DAC department when comparing it to upper echelon products
- Vs dCS Bartok Apex—compared to the Bartók Apex, the Lina's sound (without the Master Clock) had a slightly different textural quality, not coarser or finer grained but as though performers were viewed under a different quality of light, the Lina's light felt slightly more brilliant than remembered with the Apex and maybe 3o cooler
Takeaway: The Lina DAC is a small but very technologically advanced DAC and delivers music with a bonafide life-force behind it. This DAC brings a larger soundstage and bigger sound to the room and is well worth the cost if you have a system that can stand toe to toe with it.
Video review
Our take on the brand
dCS Audio is distinguished by its proprietary Ring DAC technology, which uses a custom mapping algorithm to reduce distortion, and its dCS Expanse headphone processing platform that enhances spatial sound. The brand's products, particularly the Bartók Streaming DAC, are favored by professional recordists and mastering engineers, while their Vivaldi and Rossini APEX systems have earned recognition for setting new standards in digital playback.
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Grimm Audio
MU2
18891
18891
/
12
Reviews
Grimm Audio is a hifi brand that designs streaming DACs with their own custom-built digital-to-analog converter hardware, including a unique 1.5-bit architecture with an 11th-order noise shaper. Their flagship MU2 is a Roon-centric machine that serves as a complete audio system hub, featuring their own DMA controller for FPGA-to-CPU communication and proprietary Pure Nyquist filters for digital signal processing.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- The MU2 is an all-in-one device combining a Roon core/endpoint, DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier
- Major DAC provides exceptional digital music reproduction, described as 'the best... by an obvious and distinct margin' and more 'lifelike'
- Offers a very quiet background and deep, wide, layered soundstage with stunning holographic reality
- The analog preamplifier section is high quality, described as Class A throughout, with ultra-low harmonic distortion
- Excels in revealing copious amounts of detail throughout the frequency range and making a deep emotional connection
Product Considerations
- Roon is required to operate the MU2 (although Grimm is reportedly working on another option)
- There is no wireless connectivity, requiring an Ethernet connection
- Some reviewers found the MU2 to be 'polite' or 'calm', which may not suit all preferences
- Parts are allegedly not worth the price
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- vs AURALiC ARIES G1.1 + Totaldac d1-triunity/Mola Mola Tambaqui—MU2 provides more fully fleshed out sound
- vs Grimm MU1—the MU2's integral implementation and direct internal connection give it an advantage, sounding more expansive and expressive
- vs Aqua Formula xHD DAC—the MU2 is calmer and more composed, while the Aqua is upfront and explicit
Takeaway: The Grimm MU2 is a versatile, all-in-one music player that delivers exceptional sound quality for digital music, and it simplifies your system by combining a streamer, DAC, and preamp. It is designed to bring you closer to your music with its impressive detail and engaging sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Grimm Audio is a hifi brand that designs streaming DACs with their own custom-built digital-to-analog converter hardware, including a unique 1.5-bit architecture with an 11th-order noise shaper. Their flagship MU2 is a Roon-centric machine that serves as a complete audio system hub, featuring their own DMA controller for FPGA-to-CPU communication and proprietary Pure Nyquist filters for digital signal processing.
Product Page
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Naim
NSS 333
10999
10999
/
6
Reviews
Naim Audio is renowned for its distinctive "Naim sound," which focuses on timing accuracy and a unique harmonic distortion profile that creates a musical flow. The brand's meticulous approach involves extensive R&D and proprietary components like custom transistors and power supplies, as seen in their Uniti range which combines streaming capabilities with their signature sound characteristics.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Delivers an engaging and emotionally charged performance with rhythmic drive and articulate rendering of dynamic shifts
- Excellent build quality
- Streaming platform is stable and capable of dealing with all file types with ease
- Offers state-of-the-art sound quality with everything from online streaming services and Internet radio all the way through to hi-res music stored on your home network
- The output stage is Naim's preferred balanced impedance type, but they prefer the DIN route for normal cable lengths
Product Considerations
- No USB (Type B) input
- The manuals are a little scant on detail
- The signal level out of the balanced XLR sockets (2.1V) is the same as the single-ended connections, rather than double, as it usually is
- Some found the new white logo lighting (instead of the traditional green) to be a negative
- There is not enough space under the sharp cooling fins for fingers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs NSC 222: The NSS 333 justifies its price premium with even better sound quality
- Vs Naim ND 555/555 PS DR: The Naim NSS 333 delivers a significant chunk of the ND555/555 PS DR's performance at a fraction of the price
- Vs Moon 681: The NSS 333 delivers admirable precision and stability in the way it places instruments and sounds, though the Moon 681 produces more in terms of soundstage width
- Vs Naim NDX: The NSS 333 offers significantly more air and space in the recording, a greater sense of detail, and a notably natural and unforced delivery
- Vs NDX2: The new player sounds better and closes the gap with the flagship ND555 player, at least when the high-end machine is used in its basic single power supply configuration
Takeaway: The Naim NSS 333 is a musically satisfying music streamer with excellent build quality and the ability to convey emotion. It combines detailed, richer sound with a slick and user-friendly experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Naim Audio is renowned for its distinctive "Naim sound," which focuses on timing accuracy and a unique harmonic distortion profile that creates a musical flow. The brand's meticulous approach involves extensive R&D and proprietary components like custom transistors and power supplies, as seen in their Uniti range which combines streaming capabilities with their signature sound characteristics.
Product Page
Product Page
SW1X
DAC III (Balanced)
15950
15950
/
4
Reviews
SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Known for analog-like qualities in dealing with transcoding zeros and ones
- Conveys low-level musical complexity and subtle spatial nuances that other DACs have difficulty with
- Produces voices that expand in three dimensions with a refreshing sense of presence, reminiscent of vinyl reproduction
- Returns energy to the music, instead of taking it away
- Reproduces details and anchor points with refreshing vividness, presenting the actuality with the least fragmentation of the sound image
Product Considerations
- A single-ended into a balanced pre configuration caused occasional static, making image difficult to discern during those moments
- Clarity could be improved on very complex choirs and instruments, and more separation would also be beneficial
- The attack on drums is slightly slow—perhaps medium paced—compared to some DACs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to CH Precision C1.2 DAC, the DAC III is more emotionally involving, while the CH Precision sounds markedly cooler, flatter, and more emotionally restrained
- Compared to aqua acoustic quality Formula xHD, the Formula xHD retrieves detail, bass precision, articulation, and transparency better, while the DAC III is airier, more fluid, and more refined
- Compared to Holo Audio May, the attack on drums is slightly slow—perhaps medium paced—and behind the Holo Audio May as well
Takeaway: The SW1X Audio Design DAC III Balanced has a musicality that makes it worth considering. It expresses music in a way that is closer to analog, with a natural transparency and higher degree of contrast.
Video review
Our take on the brand
SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Ayre
QA-9 Pro
6800
/
Released
The QA-9 Pro Analog-to-Digital converter is Ayre Acoustics best kept secret, and our gift to the world of recording. Designed around a fully discrete, fully balanced, zero-feedback analog circuit, with our signature variable gain staging, the QA-9 Pro will unlock the soundstage, fidelity and tonal balance in your recordings that you have heard in your head for years.
Ayre Acoustics is distinguished by its zero-feedback circuit design and Double Diamond output stage, which eliminate feedback loops and use multiple diamond buffers to reduce distortion. The brand's products deliver a smooth, refined sound that's often compared to tube amplifiers, achieved through their Equilock gain stage technology and fully balanced, discrete circuitry.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Perfect transient response in Listen mode due to the moving-average filter, with no pre-ringing or post-ringing, when operating at quad and double sampling rates
- Fully discrete, fully balanced, zero-feedback analog circuitry
- Moving-average filter allows for improved transient response
- Can operate at sample rates up to 192kHz, outputting 24-bit data via USB 2.0 or AES/EBU
Product Considerations
- The anti-aliasing filter in Listen mode is down about 20dB at the aliasing point of 96kHz, which may be a concern for recordings with meaningful musical energy above 90-100kHz
- The first 20 units had firmware and assembly issues, requiring a recall
- When using the single sample rate, the Ayre QA-9 uses a more conventional FIR low-pass filter
Takeaway: The Ayre Acoustics QA-9 offers audiophiles a way to create high-quality rips of their LPs with innovative design choices like its moving-average filter for perfect transient response in Listen mode. It provides high-performance analog-to-digital conversion to benefit the sound quality for millions of listeners.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Ayre Acoustics is distinguished by its zero-feedback circuit design and Double Diamond output stage, which eliminate feedback loops and use multiple diamond buffers to reduce distortion. The brand's products deliver a smooth, refined sound that's often compared to tube amplifiers, achieved through their Equilock gain stage technology and fully balanced, discrete circuitry.
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Product Page
T+A
DAC 200
7620
/
Released
2021
The DAC 200 is the latest member of an extended family of High-End converters and pre-amplifiers. Every aspect of its design symbolises our uncompromising commitment to science and music. The ability to reproduce DSD 1024 files and its complete galvanic separation are just two highlights which underline the potential of the DAC 200 in impressive style. The DAC 200 is designed to convert a large number of digital formats into natural-sounding analogue signals, and to pass them on via the integral headphone or analogue outputs.
T+A is a hifi brand that combines transistor and valve technologies in their HV-Series amplifiers, using high voltage for linear performance, while their A 200 Power Amplifier uses PURIFI Eigentakt technology for low distortion regardless of speaker load.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional sound quality is achieved with precise and accurate reproduction, enhanced clarity and depth
- Versatile input options include S/PDIF, TOSLink, AES/EBU, BNC, USB, and optional HDMI, offering compatibility with various digital devices
- Excellent build quality is exhibited in its solid, retro-German appearance with high-quality materials
- Separate PCM and DSD processing use path separation technology with independent converters optimized for each media type
- Effective de-jittering employs T+A's De-Jitter Masterclock to minimize timing errors from connected digital components
Product Considerations
- A network audio input is absent, limiting standalone use without the MP200 music player
- Limited analog connectivity means the desired balanced analog input could enhance the preamplifier section's capabilities
- Remote control is reported to be far from intuitive, despite its solid build
- Output voltage in fixed mode may be lower than expected, requiring the use of the variable output setting
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to iFi Pro iDSD, the DAC 200 outperforms as a reference
- Compared to Linn Organik series DACs and MSB Premier DAC, the lush playback recalls more expensive options
Takeaway: The T+A DAC 200 is a versatile and high-performing DAC with many inputs that delivers great sound quality. Its robust build quality and comprehensive features make it a great choice for audiophiles seeking a top-tier digital-to-analog converter.
Video review
Our take on the brand
T+A is a hifi brand that combines transistor and valve technologies in their HV-Series amplifiers, using high voltage for linear performance, while their A 200 Power Amplifier uses PURIFI Eigentakt technology for low distortion regardless of speaker load.
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AURALiC
Vega G2.2
5529
/
Released
2023
The VEGA G2.2, built upon our impressive DAC lineage, houses our Fusion DAC design, Direct Data Recording (DDR), and Galvanic Isolation technologies. It also features a fully analog preamplifier section with a proper analog ladder resistor volume control, delivering an exceptional noise-free signal to our Class A ORFEO output modules.
AURALiC is a hifi audio brand focusing on streaming audio sources with user-friendly interfaces. The company uses its proprietary Lightning DS music playing app to provide easy integration and customization of your music library.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent sound quality with detail and an expansive soundstage
- Functions as a preamplifier with both digital and analogue inputs and analogue volume control
- Features Direct Data Recording (DDR) technology using a memory buffer to reclock audio data
- Has a dual-chassis design with copper shielding for electrical isolation
- Gains greater clarity and clout with everything from driving rock to complex classical music
Product Considerations
- The AURALiC control app (Lightning DS) is only compatible with Apple iOS devices and not Android
- Has only one analogue input, which might be limiting for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vega G2.2 preferred to a DAC that cost 5x more
Takeaway: The Vega G2.2 is a great streaming DAC and preamplifier that is easy to use. It can be slotted into a system to immediately bring more clarity, soundstage, and depth to music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
AURALiC is a hifi audio brand focusing on streaming audio sources with user-friendly interfaces. The company uses its proprietary Lightning DS music playing app to provide easy integration and customization of your music library.
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AURALiC
Aries G2.2
6099
/
Released
2023
The ARIES G2.2 is the culmination of nearly 10 years of research and development. It is a complete hardware upgrade, including a significant increase in processing power, better USB DAC compatibility and cleaner power supply, all these improvements create the ability to accommodate future streaming features and keep you on the cutting edge of technology for years to come.
AURALiC is a hifi audio brand focusing on streaming audio sources with user-friendly interfaces. The company uses its proprietary Lightning DS music playing app to provide easy integration and customization of your music library.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Completely redesigned interior with 90% new electronic components and cutting-edge technologies elevate performance
- New 'Purer-Power' low-noise linear power supply, with twice the capacity of the previous version and an even lower noise design, ensures a clean and stable power supply
- Upgraded Tesla G3 streaming platform is eight times faster than its predecessor
- New Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology connects the audio input and output directly to the processor, helping to reduce latency and jitter by a claimed 90%
- Lightning DS App is considered excellent and second to none for library and playlist management, and is extremely fast and responsive
Product Considerations
- The Lightning DS app is only available on Apple iOS devices, which may be limiting for Android users
- The digital filter options within the Lightning DS app are considered marginal
- A reviewer missed the Vega/Altair selection knob from previous models for menu management
- The benefits of the ARIES G2.2 may only be fully realized with a high-quality system, making it a significant investment
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the ARIES G2.1, the G2.2 offers a significant upgrade in performance with demonstrably lower noise, more detail, and a larger—more detailed—image, almost doubling the amount of musical data revealed
- Melco was more open and with better timing, while AURALiC had a smaller image, deeper bass, and possibly stronger bass
- Adding the ARIES G2.2 to the VEGA G2.2 allows the VEGA G2.2 to relax slightly
Takeaway: The AURALiC ARIES G2.2 is a high-end streamer offering a clear upgrade over previous models with a focus on reducing noise and increasing processing power, perfect for detail and nuance. With excellent software and solid construction, it is a great foundation for a top-tier system to enjoy music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
AURALiC is a hifi audio brand focusing on streaming audio sources with user-friendly interfaces. The company uses its proprietary Lightning DS music playing app to provide easy integration and customization of your music library.
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Aavik
Aavik D-180
7200
/
Released
2021
The D-180 DAC is handling the enormous amount of information contained in the digital source to a natural, warm yet detailed soundstage.
Aavik Acoustics crafts amplifiers using natural composite materials inspired by musical instruments, with their cabinets designed to enhance audio potential. Their products feature unique noise-cancelling technologies including Tesla coils and dither circuitry, while offering distinctive features like their U-300's input-specific gain adjustment system and the U-380's signature "aged-in-wood" bass sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Praised for ultra-transparent sound, accurately converting digital signals into music with no digital signature, resulting in a natural and authentic sound
- Built with extensive noise-suppressing technology to boost clarity and performance
- Provides a very detailed sound without sounding etched or overly detailed
- Delivers a sound geared for well-developed tone, round edges, softness, moisture, hefty bass, density, and a pitch-black background
Product Considerations
- Uses a generic Apple remote, which is functional, but not custom-designed
- Sounds a little on the dark side of neutral
- The analog output only comes with RCA connection
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Has a naturally weightier, rounder disposition, while the Lampizator Pacific is quicker, more open, and energetic
Takeaway: The Aavik D-180 is a DAC that focuses on delivering a transparent and natural sound by minimizing noise and accurately converting digital signals. This DAC can hold its ground against competitors if you like the Aavik sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Aavik Acoustics crafts amplifiers using natural composite materials inspired by musical instruments, with their cabinets designed to enhance audio potential. Their products feature unique noise-cancelling technologies including Tesla coils and dither circuitry, while offering distinctive features like their U-300's input-specific gain adjustment system and the U-380's signature "aged-in-wood" bass sound.
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