Connecting an Auralic Aries to BeoLab 90

39 replies
PO
politician
Bronze
269 posts
Posted April 15, 2019 at 20:31 GMT
#2121777

I've decided to add an Auralic Aries (the original model with the dual Femto clocks; not the LE, Mini, G1 or G2) to my system to enable streaming and make file playback easier. I've ordered an optical cable from Steve at Sounds Heavenly to connect it, but on checking the Technical Sound Guide for my BeoLab 90s, realised I'd got it the wrong way round – it's the S/PDIF input that supports 192/24, whereas optical only supports 96/24. This completely defeats the point of connecting the Auralic Aries, which is designed to play high-res files.

I could connect the Aries via USB-Audio, but I recall Geoff Martin writing on here that a firmware update had changed its behaviour, meaning that it would no longer play 44.1/16 files via the BeoLab 90s. However, if I use the S/PDIF input for the Auralic Aries, how will I digitally connect my CD player (a Beogram CD 5500, which currently uses that input)?

SE
seethroughyou
Bronze
1123 posts
Posted April 15, 2019 at 21:54 GMT
#2121778
I’m using USB into BL5 from my MacBook at 16/44.1, 24/96 and 24/192 and they all work fine.

My favourite is the optical Toslink into the BL90.

I’ve spent hours testing 24 bit 96khz versus 192khz and I can’t here any difference at all. They both sound gorgeous. In fact I can’t often tell the difference between CD quality 16/44.1 versus 24/192.

The quality of the recording and mastering is the biggest factor by far.
PO
politician
Bronze
269 posts
Posted April 15, 2019 at 22:06 GMT
#2121779

Thanks for the input. Apparently the Auralic Aries worked fine via USB until a firmware update removed its ability to instruct the BL90 to process 44.1/16 inputs via that format. I suspect there isn't a huge difference between 192/24 and 96/24, but since the Aries is designed to handle the former it seems silly to use an input that won't go above 96/24.

S(
Severian (archived2)
Bronze
3771 posts
Posted April 15, 2019 at 22:37 GMT
#2121780

Doesn't the Auralic also have a coax digital out? Is there some limitation on its output that would keep you from using it or is it that the BL90 doesn't have a coax input?

PO
politician
Bronze
269 posts
Posted April 15, 2019 at 23:09 GMT
#2121781

The Aries does indeed have a coax (S/PDIF) output and the BL90 has a coax input, which can handle 192/24. The issue is that the coax input is currently being used by my CD player (Beogram CD 5500), so the question is how to connect that if the Aries takes over the coax. I want a digital connection for superior CD sound, but the 5500 doesn't have an optical output, and hence can't use the optical input on the BL90.

S(
Severian (archived2)
Bronze
3771 posts
Posted April 15, 2019 at 23:28 GMT
#2121782

How much do you play CDs? I ripped all mine, lossless, and store them on a SSD inside my Auralic Mini and never touch discs.

PO
politician
Bronze
269 posts
Posted April 16, 2019 at 11:33 GMT
#2121783

I play CDs almost daily, and don't have the time or inclination to rip all of my 10,000-odd CDs, so removing the digital connection from the CD 5500 isn't really an option. I need a solution where I can play both 192/24 and 44.1/16 files via the Aries whilst still having a digital CD input. Is it possible to connect the Aries via both optical and USB-Audio simultaneously, using the former for 44.1/16 and the latter for 192/24 files?

Steve at Sounds Heavenly
Steve at Sounds Heavenly
Gold
2501 posts
Posted April 16, 2019 at 11:34 GMT
#2121784

Hi politician,

Thanks for your cable purchase, which is on its way to you.  I have emailed you directly with a full reply, suggesting trying the optical output of the Aries at 96/24 as this should be indistinguishable from the 192/24 output in real world use.  If this give a good quality output then it keeps the S/PDIF connection on the speakers free for your Beogram CD, without needing any external convertors which could impact on the sound quality.

Please let me know how you get on and I will be pleased to assist further.

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

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PO
politician
Bronze
269 posts
Posted April 16, 2019 at 11:57 GMT
#2121785

Thanks Steve! As I mentioned in my email, I'm also going to see what happens if I connect it via both USB-Audio and optical – the Aries may be able to select the most appropriate output for each file format.

S(
Severian (archived2)
Bronze
3771 posts
Posted April 16, 2019 at 20:45 GMT
#2121786

Could something like this work?

https://www.ramelectronics.net/280565.aspx

Take the coax out of the Auralic and convert it to optical?

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