Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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

  • Black background, which makes the music stand out more
  • Holographic staging, which is one of the best highlights
  • Spectacular mids
  • Different sound than any other DAC, presenting music in a way that had not been heard before
  • Natural, sweet, open, and organic sound

Product Considerations

  • Sound changed quite a bit during the burn-in period
  • Initially sounded incoherent and bloated out of the box
  • Requires other gear with a similar price tag to appreciate the differences that it brings to a setup

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vinshine R2R Reference 1 has a bit of an edge in bass quantity, but the LampizatOr Atlantic TRP DAC has better bass quality
  • After the burn in, the bass of the LampizatOr Atlantic TRP DAC hits harder than the Vinshine
  • LampizatOr Golden Atlantic TRP DAC cannot convey the wild—almost out of control—emotion of a voice or performance that was heard from the BorderPatrol DAC

Takeaway: The LampizatOr Atlantic TRP DAC brings a very different and spectacular sound to any system, making music stand out with a holographic stage and sweet, natural sound. It will make one want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the performance.

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

Atlantic TRP

reviews

[{"title":"The LampizatOr Altlantic TRP DAC: No Rolling Necessary!","link":"https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/lampizator-altlantic-trp-dac","source":"Positive Feedback","datePublished":""},{"title":"Review: LampizatOr Golden Atlantic TRP DAC with the Innuos Statement","link":"https://theaudiobeatnik.com/review-lampizator-golden-atlantic-trp-dac-with-the-innuos-statement","source":"The Audio Beatnik","datePublished":""},{"title":"Lampizator Atlantic TRP. An $8000 Beast of a DAC!","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_At1cvOlVzU","source":"HeadKarma (Monsterzero)","datePublished":"2020"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Size: 43 x 13 (plus tubes 10 cm) x 33 (plus 10 cm for cables at the back) cm
  • Weight: 11 kg net, 14 kg shipping gross
  • PCM conversion: up to 26 bit, up to 192 kHz via SPDIF, up to 384 kHz via USB
  • DSD conversion: up to 512x DSD via USB
  • Output voltage: 3V pp
  • Tube types: EL34, 6CA7, 6L6, 6v6, KT66, KT77, KT88, KT120, KT150
  • Warranty: 3 years excluding tubes
Atlantic DAC was made 3 years ago, to the memory of Lukasz Fikus' sailing trip across the Atlantic ocean. It was meant to put in one attractive package as many features of the most desirable audiophile wish list - as possible. From early 2019 we redesigned the Atlantic, mainly to enable the last missing feature from that wish list - ability to roll (change) tubes.
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:

  • LampizatOr products, particularly DACs, are designed with a high degree of tube rolling flexibility, allowing users to significantly alter the sound signature by experimenting with a wide variety of tube types and brands.
  • LampizatOr products are often described as possessing a uniquely organic and natural sound, often producing a three-dimensional soundstage that avoids digital harshness.
  • The brand distinguishes itself by using directly heated triodes (DHTs) in its designs, which are notoriously difficult to implement, but, according to LampizatOr, provide superior sonic performance.
  • They offer a generous trade-in program, allowing owners of older "Golden" series products to upgrade to newer models at 100% of their original list price.

Amber 5 DAC

  • Positioning: The entry-level digital-to-analog converter, designed to offer high-quality sound at an accessible price point.
  • Description: Delivers impressive audio performance, featuring copper output capacitors and a tube rectified power supply with CLC filtering. Unlike higher-tier models like the Baltic 4, offers a true balanced option and an analog preamp of high quality, making it suitable for users seeking affordability without compromising on essential features.

Baltic 4

  • Positioning: Sits between the Amber 5 and higher-end models, providing a balance of performance and value.
  • Description: Offers a true balanced topology with four monophonic channels, one for each phase of stereo sound, enhancing audio fidelity. Compared to the Amber 5, includes a fully tubed, directly heated dual diode rectified power supply and supports PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD256.

Atlantic TRP

  • Positioning: A mid-tier DAC designed for tube enthusiasts who appreciate the flexibility of tube rolling.
  • Description: Allows users to experiment with various power tetrodes and pentodes, offering a customizable sonic experience. Unlike the Baltic 4, uses overkill power tubes instead of small signal tubes, providing greater dynamics and authority in sound reproduction.

The Golden Atlantic TRP

  • Positioning: An enhanced version of the Atlantic TRP, incorporating premium components for improved performance.
  • Description: Includes upgraded chokes, capacitors, connectors, and other boutique components, elevating its build quality and sound. Compared to the standard Atlantic TRP, offers a more refined audio experience.

The Big Seven mk3

  • Positioning: A high-end DAC featuring an output stage based on directly heated triode tubes, offering a unique audio experience.
  • Description: Uses directly heated triode tubes like 45, 2A3, or 300B, directly coupled to the DAC chip without any series components, ensuring purity in sound reproduction. Unlike the Golden Atlantic TRP, provides an output stage with no series components between the DAC chip and the output.

The Golden Gate 3

  • Positioning: A premium DAC that expands upon the Golden Gate series with significant upgrades for enhanced audio performance.
  • Description: Features a redesigned PCM engine, supports DSD512, and includes an auto-switching capability between formats. Compared to the Big Seven mk3, offers a revised power supply scheme and improved volume control implementation.

The Pacific DAC

  • Positioning: The former flagship model, representing the pinnacle of their DAC technology prior to the Horizon series.
  • Description: Incorporates a unique tube conversion output with single-ended triode, directly heated triode, and active dynamic tube anode loading. Unlike the Golden Gate 3, includes a new USB and LAN computer interface with a preinstalled ROON bridge.

Poseidon DAC

  • Positioning: Bridges the gap between the Pacific and Horizon series, offering high-end performance at a more accessible price point.
  • Description: Sharing substantial DNA with the Horizon, offers customizable aesthetics and a vast array of tube options. Features innovations like a new remote control, OLED display, and record-breaking impedance levels.

Horizon 360 DAC

  • Positioning: The current flagship model, showcasing their latest advancements in digital-to-analog conversion technology.
  • Description: Introduces a new conversion chip with a completely redesigned PCB, enhancing sound quality over the Pacific DAC. Supports i2S via HDMI without needing a master clock and can be configured for DSD1024, though it is currently limited to DSD512.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
1
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
356
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
13
Founding Year
2010

Our take on the brand

Lampizator is a Polish hifi brand that handcrafts custom-built DACs, known for their unique tube-based designs that include pentodes for power regulation and Nixie tube displays. Their DACs are distinguished by extensive tube-rolling options and multiple power supplies, creating a rich, analog-like sound that handles even lower-quality recordings exceptionally well.

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?

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From our interview with
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Used

Lampizator

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What if you spend more?

Product image
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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
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.
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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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
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.
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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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
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.
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Expand Details

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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Lampizator
The Golden Atlantic TRP
9375
/
Released
The Golden Atlantic represents our statement execution of the Atlantic TRP product line. This marvelous unit is built with the same level of compromise free execution as our Golden Gate, including upgraded chokes, capacitors, connectors, boutique components and other luxury features.
Check Amazon
Lampizator is a Polish hifi brand that handcrafts custom-built DACs, known for their unique tube-based designs that include pentodes for power regulation and Nixie tube displays. Their DACs are distinguished by extensive tube-rolling options and multiple power supplies, creating a rich, analog-like sound that handles even lower-quality recordings exceptionally well.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Exceptional build quality
  • Incredible bass
  • Good soundstage
  • Great connectivity options

Product Considerations

  • It's a very pricey DAC, even at the "entry-level"

Takeaway: Upgrades to the Lampizator Golden Atlantic TRP DAC have been made. The soundstage and build quality of the Lampizator are excellent.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Lampizator is a Polish hifi brand that handcrafts custom-built DACs, known for their unique tube-based designs that include pentodes for power regulation and Nixie tube displays. Their DACs are distinguished by extensive tube-rolling options and multiple power supplies, creating a rich, analog-like sound that handles even lower-quality recordings exceptionally well.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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.
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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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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.
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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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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.
Check Amazon
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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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.
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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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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