Opinions about Auralic Altair (first Gen.)?

[dreipass]

Is the first generation of Auralic Altair still a good DAC/Streamer in 2025?

Could get one for a little under 1k (upgraded with "better" Electronics), Maybee Voodoo, maybee not, for whom is interested in this stuff, here some infos: https://hoer-wege.de/produkt/der-hoer-wege-streaming-dac-auralic-altair/

Important for me:

Roon Ready
Fast processing (GUI and Switching Filters and Signals )
Not too analytical/cold/harsh in trebles
No changes to the soundstage of the recording
Clean/slim and fast Lows
Overall Hardware-Quality (Durabilty) very important!

Does Altair fits that needs? I don't believe the "Tests" and "Reviews" in the media, had made bad experences with that staff. Better to ask real users imo... Auralic meesurements on ASR on other products of them seem to be ok.

Other Alternatives, new or used?

Thanks for helping out!!!

 

[Purité Audio]

Streamers are ‘done’ a Wiim Pro Plus is as good as anything, just choose on features.
Keith

 

[dreipass]

Ok, I see what you mean (overprieced stuff anywhere), thanks for your input. But I've had some more needs.

And is it really the same soundquality like a 2k or more DAC? Would like to do a blind test...

What I definitly not like is the look&feel of a plastic-thing in a box like Wiim Pro. I do prefer heavy and solid Material (of steel or aluminium). Solid Pots and knobs of aluminium and so on. My decent setup (all of alu) ist about 20 years old - for sure a box like Wiim Pro will not last this long. Even if the electronics hold up (when using cheap electrolytic capacitors and operational amplifiers I don't think so), the plasticizers will come out of the buttons material and become sticky or porous (as I have repeatedly experienced with cheap hardware). I don't want to buy new stuff every 5-10 years, the planet has enough problems already...

Beneath that:
Small Boxes like the Wiim Pro hast not enough inputs for me.

I need

• At least 2 x XLR Outs (Balanced)
• 1 koax INs
• 1 TOS-In
• Port for using as USB-DAC

I'ld like:

• 2-3 Koax Ins
• 2 TOS Ins
• 4 x XLR out (balanced)

Thanks for further advices and oppinions.