DACs — AURALiC VEGA S1

The VEGA S1 is a streaming DAC from AURALiC, which develops both its own streaming platform and its own conversion technology. It takes the core technologies of the larger VEGA G2.2 - the Fusion DAC, galvanic isolation and an analogue preamplifier section - into a more compact and more affordable chassis, combining network streaming and digital inputs with volume control in the analogue domain.

Key specs that matter

Supported formats run from 16-bit 44.1 kHz PCM up to 32-bit 384 kHz, plus DSD64 to DSD512. Streaming runs over Gigabit Ethernet through AURALiC's Lightning DS software, OpenHome control apps, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 and internet radio. Digital inputs are USB, coaxial and Toslink, and the analogue outputs on XLR and RCA reach 6 V. THD plus noise is below 0.00012% from XLR and below 0.00015% from RCA. Processing is handled by AURALiC's Tesla G3 platform, and the clock uses dual 72fs femto oscillators. The unit measures 207 x 290 x 85 mm and weighs 4.0 kg.

Engineering and use context

In the Fusion DAC, a high-performance DAC chip is used with most of its internal functions bypassed, including the PLL, digital filter and oversampling. AURALiC carries out clock reconstruction, filtering and oversampling itself and uses only the chip's switching network for the final conversion, mixing elements of discrete ladder and delta-sigma designs, with selectable filter modes. High-speed galvanic isolators separate the Tesla platform from the DAC circuitry to keep noise from the streaming section away from it, while Direct Memory Access and Direct Data Recording handle music data in memory. Volume control and the preamplifier use ORFEO Class A output modules, so the balanced output can drive loads well below 600 ohms. The preamplifier can be disabled in software, which lowers the output to 2 V. PureDAC mode shuts down all streaming and network functions to give conversion all resources. Dual Purer-Power linear supplies feed the circuits, and an external S1 power supply can be added later. The Unity Chassis II case is matte black anodised aluminium with a copper EMI shielding enclosure.

Pairing

Thanks to its analogue volume control, the VEGA S1 can drive power amplifiers or active monitors directly, with no separate preamplifier. With the preamplifier switched off, it connects to an integrated amplifier or an external preamplifier at standard line level.

Alternatives

AURALiC's ALTAIR G1.1 is another DAC in the company's range.