ЦАПы — AURALiC VEGA S1

The VEGA S1 is a streaming DAC from AURALiC, the company that designs its own streaming platform and conversion technology. It inherits the core technologies of the larger VEGA G2.2, including the Fusion DAC, galvanic isolation and an analogue preamplifier section, in a more compact and affordable chassis. It combines network streaming and digital inputs with volume control in the analogue domain.

Key specs that matter

It accepts PCM from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz at 16 to 32 bit and 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 include USB, coaxial and Toslink. Analogue outputs are on XLR and RCA, reaching up to 6 V. The processing platform is AURALiC's Tesla G3, and the clock uses dual 72fs femto oscillators.

Engineering and use context

The Fusion DAC takes a high-performance DAC chip and bypasses most of its internal functions, including the PLL, digital filter and oversampling. AURALiC performs clock reconstruction, filtering and oversampling itself, using only the chip's switching network for the final conversion. This combines elements of discrete ladder and delta-sigma designs, and users can choose filter modes. High-speed galvanic isolators separate the Tesla processing platform from the DAC circuitry, blocking noise from the streaming section. Direct Memory Access and Direct Data Recording handle music data in memory. The analogue volume control and preamplifier use ORFEO Class A output modules, which let the balanced output drive loads well below 600 ohms. The preamplifier can be disabled in software, dropping output to 2 V for use with an external preamplifier. PureDAC mode switches off all streaming and network functions to dedicate resources to conversion. Power comes from dual Purer-Power linear supplies, and AURALiC sells an external S1 supply that can be added later. The Unity Chassis II case is matte black anodised aluminium with a copper EMI shielding enclosure.

Pairing

With analogue volume and a high output level, the VEGA S1 feeds power amplifiers or active monitors without a preamplifier. With the preamplifier disabled, it feeds an integrated amplifier at a standard line level.

Alternatives

AURALiC's VEGA G2.2 is the larger streaming DAC from which the VEGA S1 inherits its core technologies.