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Resonessence Labs’ Concero HD had no such issues and played flawlessly, putting paid to the theory that USB-powered devices need not apply. Perhaps DACs that rely on volume signal markers from the host operating system are the issue here? With the Concero HD verified as 100% Aries-compliant, it formed the basis of a headphone listening rig that also included a Schiit Vali amplifier and Sennheiser HD800. Loudspeaker action was taken care of by Zu Audio’s Soul MKII powered by a REDGUM Black Series RGi35, all fronted by AURALiC’s superb Vega DAC. The Aries connected to the home network with a generic Ethernet patch cable (comments on how Audioquest’s Ethernet cabling stacks up is a conversation for another day).

Streaming isn’t restricted to devices on the home network. CD-quality streaming services from Qobuz and WiMP arrive ready to rock out of the box. Enter username and password via the iPad app and you’re immediately off to the cloud for song/album selection. WiMP’s Hifi service offers lossless streaming from a ~25m song library for $20/month. Even brief exposure to a CD-quality service like this makes justifying $15 a pop on a CD or download that bit tougher.


With the Aries driving my WiMP account, the need to purchase CDs or FLAC downloads is relegated to those harder to find titles. WiMP’s new release section is worth the entry fee alone. Eno and Hyde’s High Life came down the pipe without glitch or need to buffer. Ditto Interpol’s El Pintor and Robyn Hitchcock’s The Man Upstairs. All lossless, all of the time. First from WiMP and then with feet back on the ground for a Minimserve of Simian Mobile Disco’s Whorl, gapless playback was twice confirmed. The catch? WiMP subscriptions are currently restricted to Denmark, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Norway. However, sub-brand TIDAL is set to launch a similar lossless streaming service in the US and UK in October/November.


Over-the-air firmware updates to the Aries don’t just squash bugs. Newer streaming services like TIDAL can be added as they become available. (My review unit currently ran firmware v1.7). "The TIDAL is already in plan now”"says Wang. You might be thinking, "I stream WiMP or Qobuz using their native desktop app and I play locally hosted tunes using Audirvana+, both with great results. Why should I consider an AURALiC Aries?"


The first answer is one of aesthetics. With the Aries running front of house, your PC or Mac can be tucked away out of sight. Not every listener wants a computer in his or her lounge room or on the hifi rack. The second answer is more compelling: better sound quality. With 1) Antipodes DXe music server and 2) MacBook Air + Resonessence Labs Concero HD already on hand, a three-way stand-off was conducted with AURALiC’s own Vega as the decoder of choice.

The MacBook Air + TotalD1 USB cable + Concero HD (as USB converter) connected to the Vega over S/PDIF came out with all guns a-blazing, look-at-me detail delivered on the back of arresting dynamics as qualities which lent the Vega visceral excitement and sizeable soundstage. The Concero HD hosed away some of the steel on leading edges when the MacBook Air connected USB direct to the Aries. It’s a reason why USB bridges like the Concero, Audiophilleo, Hydra X+ et al have become established methods of extracting more pleasing sonic results from consumer-grade computers. And if this were all you heard, you’d walk away suitably impressed…