John
AURALiC has announced an update to their mid-tier streaming DAC/pre-amplifier; the ALTAIR is now the ALTAIR G1. AURALiC has switched up the D/A converter from an ESS 9018 DAC chip to an ESS 9038Q2M, improved the analogue output stage, lifted the processor platform to G2 status (with 2GB RAM) and wrapped the whole shebang in a G1 chassis, complete with 4″ colour display and Smart IR.
Like the original ALTAIR, we look to AURALiC’s own Lightning DS streaming platform to stream music from elsewhere on our home network, from Tidal, from Qobuz, or from a hard drive fitted to the unit’s underbelly. Alternatively, the ALTAIR G1 can serve as a Roon Ready endpoint and is compatible with Airplay, Songcast, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth.
ALTAIR G1 will be priced at €2199/£1899/US$2499 when it goes on sale in July/August 2019.
Careful though: the original ALTAIR was performance-pitched between the Aries Mini and the original VEGA DAC. It is therefore highly unlikely that the ALTAIR G1 will touch the VEGA G1 on sound quality. You (don’t) get what you (don’t) pay for.
The ALTAIR G1 is for the more budget conscious buyer looking to get into the world of AURALiC-powered music streaming.
Further information: AURALiC
