Audiophilepure

$169

If your looking to add music streaming to your system without the need for additional software or Wi-fi, the Auris bluMe Pro is a great sounding and affordable option. It will be a godsend for people in rural areas that don’t have speedy Wi-fi service.

I also like the screen that shows you what’s going on along with the music being played, even if it may be hard to read while sitting on your listening chair. Additionally, its well built with top notch components and its easy to use.

If you have a very analytical system, and you want add a little warmth to your setup, you may want to check out the iFi ZEN Blue V2, but if you’re looking for a flatter, more neutral sounding Bluetooth DAC, then you’ll probably like the bluMe Pro. The ability to use the Auris unit as a USB DAC (which the iFi unit doesn’t do) is also a nice touch. Highly Recommended!

Just out of interest I put on a few DSD tracks. This is not generally my format of choice but it seems that some DACs deal with it rather better than others. Bill Evans’ Explorations swings beautifully and avoids the papery airiness that often seems to accompany DS and instead it sounded natural and relaxed which are the more appealing characteristics of the one-bit system. Another contrast was made between the USB and streaming inputs, both supplied by a Melco N10 music library/server. Here the streaming option had quieter backgrounds, fuller bass and less time smear. Which is quite an achievement given that the ethernet cable has to be about a tenth of the price of the USB that was making the connection. USB had the advantage in timing, image scale and smoothness of delivery, however, so it’s safe to say that the ALTAIR is a very capable DAC.

The most comprehensively equipped member of AURALiC’s G2.1 family does an awful lot of what matters in high-resolution streaming with consummate ease. It doesn’t offer the upgradeability of AURALiC’s separates but those looking to hear what a serious streamer is capable of will find an awful lot to like in this superbly executed piece of kit. Build quality is first class and ease of use via the Lightning app is top notch. Combine the ALTAIR G2.1 with a good pre and power amp, or perhaps a pair of those active ATC loudspeakers AURALiC used at Axpona, and you’ll have a system that’s going places.

, solid imaging, and above all musicality, with the power to drive any headphone (I performed all of my tests other than noise tests in low gain), as well as being a superior front end for a loudspeaker system, the fact that it also contains the necessary computer parts to complete the job and function as a full music server, eliminating the need for an external source while streamlining the data chain is just icing on the cake. It is one of a handful of headphone amplifiers that I would recommend for the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE or the HIFIMAN HE6se for that matter, in fact, at this point, I would recommend it for use with the SUSVARA or ABYSS headphones unheard. And as mentioned above, the same applies to IEMs which makes the element X2 a rare puppy indeed

https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/auralic-aries-g11-network-streamer

The Aries G1.1 maintains Auralic’s position as a serious competitor in the mid price streaming audio stakes, it isn’t inexpensive but will give the alternatives a very good run for their money. The Lightning DS control app alone raises it above the majority. The option of an SSD onboard is one that I would encourage prospective users to take up, it represents a significant saving on standalone drives of a similar quality and takes up no space either. Auralic have done a fine job with this latest addition to the range and anyone looking for a top notch streamer at a sensible price should give it a try.

As I conclude, let me address one important topic, the DAC. Since the U2 Mini is a transport only, any observations I make about it are inextricably linked to the DAC to which it is connected. As I said, the iFi Audio iDSD Micro I used with it is a great DAC, but I wish I had the chance to listen to the U2 Mini with the previously reviewed Canor DAC 2.10. What I can say, the U2 Mini/iDSD Micro pairing sounded amazing on my system!

Every recording I listened to had its unique and distinctive flavor. Based on this, I think the LUMIN U2 Mini would be a great pairing with any DAC within the marketplace. It is that great sounding. I told my dad about the U2 Mini when I started listening to it and he was envious. With the LUMIN U2 Mini music streamer, you can have your cake and eat it too!