Original Auralic Aries relevant in 2025?

[abernardi]

I've been very happy with my Aries. I really haven't heard a digital source sound as good, particularly the timing. I'm using my Mac Mini with Rune either streaming Tidal or from my own hard drives as my front end, using hard wired ethernet to the Aries and S/PDIF to a Schitt Yggy. Is anything sounding better than that combo under 3K in 2025?

 

[Chester]

The Aries, no. The Yggy, maybe.

 

[abernardi]

Thanks Chester. I'm very happy with my Yggy, it's the OG unchanged. The only complaint I have is that it's a little dry, but I've been telling myself that's because it's not adding anything. Any DACs on your short list

 

[Sabnnchie]

I'm still using these old things. And In my case, they work better than many modern models.

 

[solderdude]

 

[Skeptical_Aus]

If it sounds good then keep it. I have have had both an Aries G1 and an Altair G1 and sold them after hearing a Wiim pro at 10% of the price for no difference at all in the listening. The money I recovered went into better speakers. I shed no tears when Auralic collapsed as I think that they were toys for the rich, parading as better sound than the competition when that is not true. Probably nothing will sound better but many products sound as good.

 

[kemmler3D]

As a rule DACs above a pretty reasonable price threshold are "solved" and there is no upgrade path at all in terms of audible benefit. If you are happy with your digital components, leave well enough alone.