About The AURALiC Altair G2.2 Streaming Preamplifier
The highly acclaimed Altair all-in-one streamer has received its eagerly awaited update. The Altair G2.2 is meticulously crafted on AURALiC's cutting-edge Tesla G3 platform, integrating Fusion DAC design, Direct Data Recording (DDR), and Galvanic Isolation technologies. Boasting a refined analogue preamplifier section with precise analogue ladder resistor volume control, it ensures an unparalleled noise-free signal, seamlessly interfacing with the Class A ORFEO output modules. Catering to discerning audiophiles, the Altair G2.2 transcends boundaries, effortlessly delivering high-resolution audio from diverse sources, be it online streaming services, files stored on NAS drives, or vinyl records on a turntable. Elevate your music experience with the Altair G2.2.
Fusion DAC - A Ground Breaking DAC Design: AURALiC's ground breaking Fusion DAC design in the Altair G2.2 combines the finest elements of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs, creating a new standard in audio excellence. This innovative approach involves modifying a high-performance, manufacturer DAC chip by bypassing most of its functions, such as PLL, digital filter, and oversampling circuits. Instead, AURALiC deploys its proprietary clock reconstruction, digital filter, and oversampling technologies, ensuring that only the precise switching network inside the DAC chip is utilized for the final digital-to-analogue conversion stage. The result is extraordinary sound quality that elevates the listening experience to new heights.
The Fusion DAC design empowers users with unparalleled customization and flexibility, enabling fine-tuning and optimization to match individual preferences. AURALiC's proprietary implementation of this unique, in-house developed technology represents a significant leap forward in DAC design, delivering exceptional performance and unparalleled sound quality.
Analogue Preamplifier: The Altair G2.2 retains the successful analogue preamplifier function from the original Altair G2.1, now enhanced with an increased output level from 4.4V to 6V to cater to power-hungry amplifiers. The ORFEO Class-A output modules ensure the balanced output can drive loads well below 600ohm with minimal performance degradation. Users have the option to disable the preamplifier function through software and reduce the output level to 2V, allowing for seamless integration with external preamplifiers. Additionally, a convenient home theatre bypass mode is available for analogue input channels, providing maximum flexibility for your audio setup.
Analogue Volume Control: The Altair G2.2 incorporate a highly regarded true analogue ladder resistor volume control, which is recognized as the superior method for achieving high-performance audio playback. Unlike a digital volume control, which accurately reduces the signal level but cannot address the noise floor, an analogue volume control reduces both the signal level and noise floor while preserving the system's dynamic range. By employing eight coil-latch relays, this volume control system consumes no power and emits no EMI noise when inactive, ensuring noise-free and distortion-free control. Once adjusted, the system remains electronically transparent, further enhancing the exceptional audio performance of the Altair G2.2.
Galvanic Isolation: In the pursuit of exceptional dynamic range that unveils intricate details in original recordings, modern high-end DACs demand utmost cleanliness in clocks, power supplies, and signal feeding. The Altair G2.2 meets this challenge by incorporating high-speed galvanic isolators, strategically positioned between the Tesla G3 processing platform and the ultra-sensitive audio circuit. These isolators ensure complete physical separation and protection against interference, safeguarding the DAC from any noise coupling while enabling seamless data transfer. With these advanced features, the Altair G2.2 delivers unparalleled audio clarity and precision, revealing the true essence of your music.
Flexibility to Explore: Altair G2.2 offers multiple input choices, enabling you to use your preferred music playback software effortlessly. It is 100% compatible with OpenHome based control software like BubbleUPnP and Linn Kazoo, as well as being a certified Roon Ready endpoint for optimized performance within your Roon ecosystem. Enjoy the convenience of TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect support, and experience seamless compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2 protocol. Elevate your music experience with the Altair G2.2 - where choice meets premium audio performance.
Tesla G3 - A New Era for Wireless Streaming: Built on a quad-core 64-bit architecture, the Tesla G3 streaming platform delivers eight times the processing capability of its predecessor. Equipped with 4GB of DDR4 system memory, the Tesla G3 can easily handle even the most demanding processing tasks, making it a future-proof solution which will accommodate the rapidly evolving digital audio landscape.
The Tesla G3 platform also employs Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology for its audio input and output channels, enabling all audio-related hardware and software to access the system memory directly. This significantly reduces latency and jitter by 90% compared to Tesla G2, giving AURALiC's engineers more flexibility to fine-tune the performance and sound quality of the products.
8X Processing Speed: The new quad-core 64-bit processor is eight times faster, ensuring a future-proof solution that adapts to the evolving digital streaming demands.
DMA - Direct Memory Access: Audio input and output channels connect directly to the processor's core, resulting in an impressive 90% reduction in latency and jitter.
4GB System Memory: Bigger system memory and data storage means fluid audio signal processing and support for even more advanced features at higher resolution.
Lightning DS Control App: Lightning DS is the ultimate control app designed exclusively for AURALiC streaming devices. Experience the power of seamless music management with the user-friendly interface, putting you in complete control. Browse and play your favourite tunes from various sources, including local files, streaming services, and internet radio, all with ease. The App's intuitive layout and efficient navigation make it a must-have for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.
CD Playback & Ripping: Still have some love for your old CDs? Not to worry; you can plug a generic USB CD drive into your Altair G2.2 then choose to play a CD, rip a CD while playing, or just rip.
As with AURALiC's Lightning file streaming, the unique CD playback feature uses the same advanced, jitter-reducing Memory Playback technology. CD data is first read, and compared several times for accuracy into the system cache before playing. The result is elimination of potentially induced jitter from the transport, cancelling any negative effects from the quality of your chosen CD drive, potentially improving performance beyond what's offered from competitors' CD players.
Tone Mode Adjustment: Tone Mode adjustment refines the output sound character of the DAC by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology. This innovative feature enhances the listening experience, elevating the Altair G2.2 to new heights of audio excellence and musical enjoyment.
Dual 60fs Femto Clock: With a dedicated, low-noise 0.8uV power supply to minimize phase noise and keep it as quiet as it is accurate, the 60 Femto Master Clock is amazingly precise for less jitter, and immaculate sound. Its 60 femtosecond cycles — that's 60 quadrillionths of a second — set a new standard for signal timing. Temperature-regulated for consistent performance, this clock is always there to keep things rock-steady.
Galvanic Isolation: One of the Altair G2.2's high-speed galvanic isolators lies between the Tesla processing platform and its highly sensitive DAC circuitry. Data can flow across the isolator, even while it physically separates and shields the DAC from interference. The result is a whopping 80% reduction in noise levels compared to the Altair G2.1.
Tone & Filter Mode: Flexible Filter Mode gives you a nuanced level of control over your audio output. Its various modes were developed using a combination of objective data models and subjective testing, with each mode offering a unique array of filters to match the sonic quality of the source. Tone Mode adjustment refines the output sound character of the DAC by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology.
ORFEO Class-A Module: Inspired by classic analogue circuit designs, ORFEO is capable of driving an array of loads to match the characteristics of a variety of amplifiers. Using small signal components with excellent linear qualities, thermally balanced and biased into Class-A, ORFEO has the power to drive loads as low as 600 ohms while keeping noise low — open loop distortion comes in at less than 0.001%.
Smart-IR Control: Smart-IR Remote Control lets your AURALiC device map its functionality onto any remote you'd like. Just let the device know which remote you prefer, and all of its operations (play/pause, volume control, track select, etc.) can be assigned to buttons just the way you like them.
Dual Purer-Power: The Purer-Power linear power supply reduces DC current noise by as much as 90dB with its power purification module. Using a specially designed transformer and unique wiring that minimizes vibration, noise from Purer-Power is kept below 1uV across the audible spectrum, leaving you to discover the details in your music, down to the last bit.
1GB Memory Cache: Open network connections and data fetching are prone to noise that can hurt the quality of your audio signal. The Tesla G3 hardware platform dedicates a whopping 1GB of RAM to the task of caching, lowering the frequency of open circuits and helping your music sound better.
Auralic Altair G2.2 Review
"Auralic's Lightning DS app for iOS is the smoothest and most flexible interface. Developed alongside the Lightning OS, now in its tenth generation at the heart of the Altair, it not only does all the setup work for you, but also provides a slick interface for day-to-day use, and lots of features to play with. True, it takes a while to index massive music libraries stored on a home network, but that done it makes music available almost instantly, as well as accessing online streaming services, Internet radio, running firmware updates and much more. It's a fine argument for having hardware and software developed in parallel.
Auralic continues to develop its digital components with a raft of in-house technology plus solidity of build and sleek styling. Provided you stick to the excellent app for setup and operation you'll get the best from this accomplished high-end player. And, while you probably won't use all its features – some at beta stage here – they've been included at no cost to the basics of a very fine performance." Hi-Fi News, Outstanding Product
Our Take
The AURALiC Altair G2.2 Streaming Preamplifier marks a significant evolution in high-end audio technology, blending innovative engineering with unparalleled functionality. Built on the state-of-the-art Tesla G3 platform, the Altair G2.2 boasts an eightfold processing speed increase over its predecessor, enabling seamless handling of demanding digital audio tasks. Central to its exceptional performance is the proprietary Fusion DAC design, which combines discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC technologies. By bypassing conventional DAC chip functions and incorporating AURALiC's custom clock reconstruction and filtering systems, the Altair G2.2 delivers an extraordinary audio experience marked by remarkable clarity and precision. Features like galvanic isolation and a dual 60fs Femto Clock further enhance signal purity, setting a new benchmark for digital-to-analogue conversion in its class.
The Altair G2.2's analogue preamplifier section exemplifies the brand's commitment to flexibility and audio fidelity. With a refined ladder resistor volume control system and Class-A ORFEO output modules, it ensures noise-free signal transmission and high compatibility with various amplifier loads. Audiophiles can tailor the device to their needs through adjustable output levels, preamplifier bypass functionality, and advanced tone and filter modes. The unit also supports a wide array of inputs, including NAS-stored files, online streaming services, vinyl records, and even CDs, which benefit from its unique Memory Playback technology. Certified as Roon Ready and compatible with protocols like TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, and AirPlay 2, the Altair G2.2 offers unmatched versatility, making it an indispensable tool for those seeking premium audio performance.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: High Performance Network Music Player & Preamplifier
- Frequency Response: 20 - 20KHz, +/- 0.1dB
- THD+N: < 0.00012% (XLR); < 0.00015% (RCA), 20Hz-20KHz at 0dBFS
- Dynamic Range: 130dB, 20Hz-20KHz, A-weighted
- Streaming File Formats
- Lossless: AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, OGG, WAV and WV
- Lossy: AAC, MP3 and WMA
- Sampling Rates
- PCM: 44.1KHz to 384KHz in 32Bit - (352.8KHz and 384KHz and 32bit are supported through streaming and USB inputs only)
- DSD: DSD64(2.8224MHz), DSD128(5.6448MHz), DSD256(11.2896MHz), DSD512(22.57892MHz) - (By 'DoP V1.1' or native DSD protocol through streaming and USB inputs only)
- Control Software
- AURALiC Lightning DS for iOS
- AURALiC Lightning DS for web browser (device setting only)
- OpenHome compatible control software (BubbleUPnP, Kazoo)
- Roon (Roon Core required separately)
- Audio Inputs
- Digital Inputs: Coaxial (2), Toslink, USB Audio, HDMI eARC
- Analogue Inputs: Line-stage (2Vrms max.), MM Phono (0.3Vrms max.)
- Streaming Inputs: Network shared folder, USB Storage, USB CD Drive, Optional Internal Storage, UPnP/DLNA Media Server, Amazon Music Unlimited, HighResAudio, KKBOX, Qobuz Sublime+, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Internet Radio, RoonReady
- Audio Outputs
- Balanced: XLR (6V / 2V user selectable, output impedance 5 Ohms)
- Unbalanced: RCA (6V / 2V user selectable, output impedance 50 Ohms)
- Headphone: 6.35mm Headphone Jack (output impedance 5 Ohms)
- Network
- Wired: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wireless: 802.11b/g/n/ac Tri-Band Wi-Fi
- Power Consumption
- Standby: <0.5W
- Sleep: <10W
- Playback: 50W at max.
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Included Accessories: 2 x External Wi-Fi Antenna, Power Cable, USB Cable, User Guide
- Finish: Anodized aluminium case in matte black with copper EMI shielding enclosure
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 340 x 80 x 320mm
- Weight: 10 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 Year
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.