Стримеры — AURALiC ALTAIR G2.2

The ALTAIR G2.2 is a streaming source that combines a DAC, analogue preamplifier, MM phono stage and headphone output from AURALiC, announced in May 2024. The company calls it a complete redesign of the ALTAIR G2.1, with about 90 percent different components. Prices were USD 6,099, EUR 5,999 and GBP 5,299, and an optional 4 TB internal drive added GBP 600 in the UK.

Key specs that matter

Supported PCM runs from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz at 32 bit and DSD64 through DSD512. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB, THD+N is below 0.00012 percent from XLR and 0.00015 percent from RCA, and dynamic range is 130 dB A-weighted. Balanced XLR outputs have a 5 ohm output impedance and RCA outputs 50 ohm, both switchable between 6 V and 2 V, and the 6.35 mm headphone jack has a 5 ohm output impedance. Digital inputs are two coaxial, TOSLink, USB audio and HDMI eARC, and analogue inputs are a line stage rated at 2 Vrms maximum and an MM phono input rated at 0.3 Vrms maximum. The case is 34 x 32 x 8 cm (width, depth, height) and weighs 10 kg.

Engineering and use context

The unit is built on the Tesla G3 platform with a quad-core 64-bit processor and 2 GB of memory, using Direct Memory Access for audio input and output. The Fusion DAC combines a discrete ladder section with a modified ESS chip and custom clock reconstruction, filtering and oversampling. Clocking is a dual 60 fs femto system, with galvanic isolation between key stages and a copper EMI shielding enclosure inside the matte black anodised aluminium case. The preamplifier uses Class A ORFEO modules and an analogue resistor ladder volume control. Sources include network shares, USB storage over a USB 3.0 port, a CD drive, a 2.5 inch HDD or SSD bay, UPnP and DLNA, Amazon Music, Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify and AirPlay, and it is Roon Ready. Networking is Gigabit Ethernet or tri-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with two antennas. Power draw is under 0.5 W in standby, under 10 W asleep and at most 50 W in playback. A front display and a rotary selector handle local control.

Pairing

With volume control, a phono stage and HDMI eARC on board, the ALTAIR G2.2 links directly to power amps or powered monitors, taking in a turntable and a television without a separate preamplifier.

Alternatives

For a system with an existing DAC, AURALiC offers the ARIES G2.2 streaming transport, which has a linear power supply and digital outputs only.