About The AURALiC Vega G2.2 Streaming DAC
The Vega G2.2, built upon AURALiC's impressive DAC lineage, houses the Fusion DAC design, Direct Data Recording (DDR), and Galvanic Isolation technologies. It also features a fully analogue preamplifier section with a proper analogue ladder resistor volume control, delivering an exceptional noise-free signal to the Class A ORFEO output modules. Its ground breaking Fusion DAC operates independently of the source clock signal. AURALiC's DDR technology records audio data into the Tesla G3 platform's memory, which is re-clocked using the 60-femtosecond technology for jitter-free performance. Combining AURALiC's proprietary digital filtering and oversampling technology with a precise switching network for the final digital-to-analogue conversion stage, the Vega G2.2 delivers superior sound quality. These cutting-edge technologies culminate into a transformative DAC, setting a new standard in digital audio performance.
Fusion DAC - A Ground Breaking DAC Design: AURALiC's ground breaking Fusion DAC design in the Vega 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 Vega G2.2 retains the successful analogue preamplifier function from the original Vega 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 Vega 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 Vega G2.2.
PureDAC Mode - Seeking the Ultimate Sound: PureDAC mode empowers the Vega G2.2 to disable all streaming and network-related functions, dedicating all resources to digital signal processing and conversion tasks. In this mode, the Vega G2.2 utilizes Direct Data Recording technology to store music signals from any digital or USB input in the past hour to Tesla G3's system memory, allowing users to replay music from any point at any time.
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 Vega 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 Vega G2.2 delivers unparalleled audio clarity and precision, revealing the true essence of your music.
Unity Chassis II: The Vega G2.2 chassis has been designed as a double enclosure, where an outer case made from high-grade aluminium is supplemented with an inner layer made of nickel coated copper. A high-mass base and enhanced four-foot multi-spring suspension system complete the quiet, noise defeating performance of the Vega G2.2's Unity Chassis II.
Perfectly Balanced: Vega G2.2's internal circuits are physically distributed to enhance overall balance. And with specially designed foot spikes that dampen and absorb vibrations, the Vega G2.2 is always rock-steady, for ultra-smooth signal delivery.
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.
Flexibility to Explore: When used as a streamer, Vega 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 Vega G2.2 - where choice meets premium audio performance.
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.
An Integrated Family of Devices: Built around cutting-edge transfer protocols, more powerful processing, and enhanced isolation engineering, G2.2 products are a new concept in component integration. All flagship series AURALiC products provide ultra-fast connectivity, due entirely to Lightning Link. Everything from audio signal, to digital clocking, and control signals are easily handled by Lightning Link. Every G2 and G3 product boasts a Lightning Link connection port, allowing them to be connected together as a stack.
Lightning Link: The HDMI-type, 18Gbps high-speed connection provides ultra-fast two-way communication and boasts the only real jitter-free link in the world of high-performance audio. As an added bonus, all G2 and G3 products can be linked without worry, allowing them to work seamlessly, as one contiguous digital source for an astonishing musical experience.
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 Vega 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.
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.
Our Take
The AURALiC Vega G2.2 Streaming DAC represents a remarkable evolution in digital audio technology, building upon the company's pioneering expertise in DAC design. At its heart lies the innovative Fusion DAC, a hybrid of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma approaches, which bypasses traditional DAC chip functionalities like PLL, digital filters, and oversampling. Instead, AURALiC leverages proprietary clock reconstruction, digital filtering, and oversampling technologies, ensuring optimal performance for the final digital-to-analogue conversion stage. Complementing this is the Direct Data Recording (DDR) technology, which re-clocks stored audio data using a 60-femtosecond master clock for virtually jitter-free playback. These advancements, combined with Galvanic Isolation to prevent noise interference, redefine audio clarity, offering an immersive and transformative listening experience.
Further enhancing its versatility, the Vega G2.2 incorporates a fully analogue preamplifier section with a sophisticated ladder resistor volume control. This design minimises noise while preserving dynamic range, thanks to its power-free, EMI-silent relay system. The ORFEO Class-A output modules ensure seamless compatibility with demanding amplifiers, while PureDAC mode focuses all system resources on digital signal processing for ultimate performance. Housed in the Unity Chassis II, a dual-layered enclosure engineered for maximum noise reduction and vibration damping, the Vega G2.2 achieves a level of precision that audiophiles will appreciate. From its Tesla G3 platform, which offers eightfold processing speed improvements, to its flexible integration with streaming platforms and control apps, the Vega G2.2 exemplifies the cutting edge of high-end digital audio engineering.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: High Performance Network Music Player, DAC & Preamplifier
- Enhance Performance with the optional AURALiC Aries G2.2 Streaming Transporter and Leo GX.1 Reference Master Clock
- 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: Lightning-Link, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink, USB Audio, HDMI eARC
- Analogue Inputs: Line-Stage RCA (2Vrms maximum) with theatre bypass function
- Streaming Inputs: UPnP/DLNA Media Server, Amazon Music Unlimited, HighResAudio, KKBOX, Qobuz Sublime+, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, TuneIn, 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: Dual 6.35mm Headphone Jacks (output impedance 5 Ohms)
- Network
- Wired: Gigabit Ethernet
- Please Note: No Wireless Option
- 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: Power Cable, USB Cable, Lightning-Link Cable, User Guide
- Finish: Anodized aluminium case in matte black with nickel coated copper EMI shielding enclosure
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 340 x 96 x 320 mm
- Weight: 9.3 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 Year
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.