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Auralic Vega G2 vs Aries G2

Looking for a streamer and a DAC...  I was looking at the Aries G2 and looking for a DAC to go with it.  Then I saw the Vega G2 which also has a streamer built in.  I don't need to stream files from a server or store content.  I just need to stream Tidal (maybe Spotify if in a pinch) - so the Vega G2 has all the streaming features I need.  There are articles that seem to claim that the sound quality of streaming content is better when using the Aries G2 + Vega G2 together (using their lightning connection) than what the Vega G2 alone will produce.  Is it me or is this marketing non-sense?  I can see using a separate Aries G2 if you need the extra features of a full fledged streamer but how can the SQ via an external connection be better than the SQ of connections that are made directly via internal circuits??  Another article mentioned that the CPU on the Vega is freed up to focus only on the DAC but again... seems like grasping at straws to sell that based on SQ rather than via feature differences.  Thoughts?
wcniedba
eliteaudiophile
2 posts
 
Calgarian,

I currently own the Vega G2 and the Lumin T2. I listen to everything from jazz to rock to blues, etc. I have owned many different DACs from Mytek, Meridian, ProJect, Lumin, Auralic, etc etc.  G2 via XLR is very good. It would be up there in my opinion with any in its price range. I am less impressed via RCA output though. I’ve never noticed that big of a difference between the two in any unit. I understand the technology behind the benefits of XLR just never heard that much difference as with the G2. The Lumin T2 at $4,500 is a steal. It totally blows away any and every DAC/Streamer in its price range. It has much more power/bass- not sure how to explain it. The soundstage is great and the detail is good. The Lumin T2 is rock solid and I’m now considering upgrading to the Lumin X1 because if the T2 at that price can be so much better than every other DAC, then the X1 must be dynamic. You can not go wrong with either. I think these two are the best DACs under $10,000 and in my opinion it’s not even close. My personal preference between the two is the Lumin. I have played them side by side many times, playing the exact same songs one after another with the exact same cabling and system. The T2 our preforms the Auralic but again, it’s a personal preference. 
ritwick
3 posts
 
Hi All,
A newbie here. My question pertains to using one of these DACs for headphones: Focal Utopia, Audeze LCD-2, MrSpeakers Aeon CB, and the Sony ZR-1.
I am looking at the Auralic Vega 2 and the Lumin T2, as an option for a streamer ( Tidal Hi Fi), DAC and headphone amplifier.
Your suggestions and thoughts would be very helpful.

mgrif104
344 posts
 
I’m hoping to refresh this thread.  Like Daeone, I have the Aries G2 and think it’s very good.  I’ve compared it directly to my Aurender N100 using same file, same cable into the same system and it’s significantly better.  But, that’s also going into the NAD M32 DAC Preamp which I also think is pretty good.  But, I’m considering the Vega G2 as a DAC as it also as a preamp function (analog volume).  

Daeone- can you comment further on your experience since you are also using the Aries and auditioned the Vega?  I’d appreciate hearing more of your perspective if you have it.

Best (and stay safe out there)
mgrif
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