Auralic Vega G2.1 vs Lumin T3

Some questions as I'm evaluating a similar upgrade.

1. Is Vega only the DAC? Their confusing writeups on the website suggest Vega is a "streaming DAC". Doesn't Vega have an inbuilt streamer.. why get Aries on top? 

2. How have you "optimized the signal to the Aries"? With their power supplies? Sirius seems to be discontinued.. did you mean their Leo master clock?

3. Does Vega come with a remote? Important to me, as I want to connect both my TV and my Streamer with the DAC, and want easy ability. 

@julie_priest 

1) The Vega G2x (and now G3) are DACs with a streaming client built in. However, it is only a streaming client and can’t access network shares. The Aries can. That said, the two units also talk to one another over lightning link and share resources. The result is that the Vega G2.1+ Aries G2.1 sounds a bit better than the Vega alone. If you’re just streaming Qobuz, the Vega alone is very good. If you’re wanting the best performance, you get both.

2) From what I understand, the processing done by the Sirius is being incorporated into their new G3 platform. I’m not sure if the unit is being discontinued or not. In any case, I optimized things by incorporating the Network Acoustics Eno filter system and upgraded my network switch. Not all feel this is money well spent but I was comfortable with the result.  I’m considering the Leo clock but am also looking at going upstream to the Ideon system - though that’s a really large spend from here.

The Vega did not come with a remote, but you can use a programmable remote to speak to it (including an Apple Remote IIRC.) Given what you’re hoping to do, I’d suggest a programmable remote so you can control both with it easily.

Good luck and let us know how it progresses.

Best, 

Thankyou @mgrif104 - very helpful, appreciate the patient and insightful notes. I'll demo the following setups 

1. Auralic Vega G3 alone (+ maybe LPS)
2. Auralic Aries G2.2 + LPS + Mola Mola Tambaqui 
3. Auralic Aries G2.2 + LPS + Vega G2.2 
4. Grimm MU2 alone 

@julie_priest 

you’re welcome - happy to help if I can.

I will be very curious as to your findings with the setups you hope to demo. I haven’t heard the MMT, but it’s supposed to be very, very good. Bill at GTT Audio often pairs it with the Aries G2x and the Grimm MU2. Both streamers are significantly better than the function built into the MMT from what I gather.

And, when you demo the Aries G2.2 and Vega G2.2, you’ll want to compare their pairing across USB and/or AES and then via their proprietary lightning link. That comparison will give you a feel for what can be achieved with the units together. If you like that combo, you’re going to want to experiment with upgrading the hdmi cables they use to communicate via LL. 

Please do keep me posted because your findings will likely be helpful to me.

Best,

Thank you. For the Aries / Vega combo.. what cables would you recommend?