To Hans Wetzel,
Attributes like USB audio, minimalistic, Tidal streaming (MQA), server storage, and cheap do not go together in the audiophile world. Unless we are talking about the Auralic Aries Mini. I have had mine for a while and in my humble opinion, there is absolutely nothing on the market right now that surpasses it for $500. I currently use it with its own interface app (Lightning DS) to stream Tidal to my Parasound Halo Integrated via USB (FLAC, DSD, Tidal MQA). It also supports an internal storage drive, should you wish to add your own. About two years ago I asked you [via e-mail] to give it a try. You said that you were given no response from Auralic. You may want to give them another call (or e-mail). Really cool group, and the president himself answers the support messages every time I have a question. I hope you find what you are looking for!
Best,
Tiago Annes
United States
We’ve been looking to review Auralic’s products for several years now, but for a variety of reasons it’s never worked out. On your advice, I’ve reached out directly to Auralic’s CEO, Xuanqian Wang, and to my surprise he responded. I’m hoping that we’ll soon be able to see (and hear) first-hand what Auralic’s products can do in the form of a review sample or two. Unfortunately, he did confirm that the Aries Mini is no longer sold in the North American market. That probably rules out my purchasing one unless I find a used example. That said, many thanks for nudging me via e-mail. In the meantime, I may just buy a cheap Windows laptop or used Mac Mini and start using Roon again. . . . Hans Wetzel
