Auralic Vega S1 Network Streamer with DAC Black

The VEGA S1 inherits AURALiC’s innovative technologies from the VEGA G2.2. At its heart is AURALiC’s proprietary Fusion DAC, a groundbreaking innovation that seamlessly integrates the best elements of both discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs. In addition to this advanced DAC technology, the VEGA S1 incorporates Direct Data Recording (DDR), Galvanic Isolation, Analog Volume Control and Analog Preamplifier features from the acclaimed VEGA G2.2, ensuring a listening experience with unparalleled detail and precision. Driven by the values of choice, natural sound and reliability, our philosophy is a fundamental part of every product we design. Sonically, we design both our software and hardware to ensure a neutral and natural sound, allowing you to personalize your musical taste through speaker choice and room setup.

Fusion DAC - A Breakthrough in DAC Design

AURALiC's revolutionary Fusion DAC design in the VEGA S1 combines the best elements of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs, creating a new standard in audio excellence. This innovative approach involves modifying a high-performance DAC chip from the manufacturer, bypassing most of its functions, such as the PLL, digital filter and upsampling circuitry. Instead, AURALiC implements its proprietary clock reconstruction, digital filter and upsampling technologies, ensuring that only the precise switching network within the DAC chip is used for the final digital-to-analog conversion stage. The result is extraordinary sound quality that elevates the listening experience to new heights.

The Fusion DAC design offers users unparalleled customization and flexibility, allowing precise tuning and optimization to suit individual preferences. AURALiC's proprietary implementation of this unique, in-house developed technology represents a significant leap forward in DAC design, delivering exceptional performance and unmatched sound quality.

Analog Preamplifier

The VEGA S1 retains the successful analog preamplifier function of the VEGA G2.2. ORFEO Class A output modules ensure the balanced output can drive loads well below 600 ohms with minimal performance degradation. Users have the ability to disable the preamp function in software and reduce the output level to 2V, allowing for seamless integration with external preamps.

Analog Volume Control

The VEGA S1 incorporates a highly regarded analog ladder resistor volume control, recognized as the best method for achieving high-performance audio reproduction. Unlike digital volume control, which accurately reduces the signal level but cannot address background noise, analog volume control reduces both signal level and background noise while preserving the dynamic range of the system. Using eight coil-latch relays, this volume control system consumes no power and emits no EMI noise when idle, ensuring noise-free and distortion-free control. Once tuned, the system remains electronically transparent, further enhancing the exceptional audio performance of the VEGA S1.

AURALiC's proprietary Direct Data Recording (DDR) technology records audio data directly into the Tesla G3's system memory in binary format, then processes and sends it to the DAC with dual 60fs Femto Clocks, one for 44.1x sampling rates and another for 48x sampling rates, which acts as a master clock independent of the input signal. Thanks to these cutting-edge technologies, the VEGA S1 is immune to distortion and jitter of the input signal, delivering unparalleled sound quality. Experience an unparalleled listening journey with astonishing detail, clarity and precision, free from any distortion or jitter.

PureDAC Mode: Seek the Ultimate Sound

PureDAC Mode allows the VEGA S1 to turn off all streaming and networking functions, dedicating all resources to digital signal processing and conversion tasks. In this mode, the VEGA S1 uses Direct Data Recording technology to store the last hour of music signals from any digital input or USB into the Tesla G3's system memory, allowing users to play music from any point at any time.

Galvanic Isolation

In the pursuit of exceptional dynamic range that reveals intricate details in the original recordings, modern high-end DACs require the utmost purity in clocks, power supplies, and signal feeding. The VEGA S1 addresses this challenge by incorporating high-speed galvanic isolators, strategically placed between the Tesla G3 processing platform and the ultra-sensitive audio circuitry. These isolators provide complete physical separation and interference protection, safeguarding the DAC from any noise coupling while allowing for seamless data transfer. With these advanced features, the VEGA S1 delivers unparalleled audio clarity and accuracy, revealing the true essence of your music.

Flexibility to Explore

The VEGA S1 offers multiple input options, allowing you to use your favorite music playback software effortlessly. It is 100% compatible with OpenHome-based control software such as BubbleUPnP and Linn Kazoo, as well as being a certified RoonReady endpoint for optimized performance within your Roon ecosystem. Enjoy the convenience of TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect support, and experience seamless compatibility with the Apple AirPlay 2 protocol. Elevate your music experience with the VEGA S1, where choice meets premium audio performance.

Tesla G3 - A New Era of Streaming

Built on a 64-bit quad-core architecture, our Tesla G3 streaming platform offers eight times the processing power of its predecessor. Equipped with 2GB of DDR4 system memory, the Tesla G3 can easily handle even the most demanding processing tasks, making it a future-proof solution that will adapt to the rapidly evolving digital audio landscape.

The Tesla G3 platform also employs Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology for its audio input and output channels, allowing all audio-related hardware and software to directly access system memory. This significantly reduces latency and jitter by 90% compared to the Tesla G2, giving us more flexibility to optimize the performance and sound quality of our products.

8X - Processing Speed - The new 64-bit quad-core processor is eight times faster, ensuring a future-proof solution that adapts to the changing demands of digital streaming.

DMA - Direct Memory Access - Audio input and output channels connect directly to the processor core, resulting in an impressive 90% reduction in latency and jitter.

2GB - System Memory - More system memory and data storage capacity enable smooth audio signal processing and support for even more advanced features at higher resolution.

Lightning DS is the ultimate control app designed exclusively for our streaming devices. Experience the power of seamless music management with our intuitive interface that puts you in complete control. Browse and play your favorite songs from various sources, including local files, streaming services, and Internet radio, all with ease. Our app's intuitive layout and efficient navigation make it a must-have for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.

CD Playback and Ripping

Still got some love for your old CDs? Don't worry; you can connect a generic USB CD drive to your VEGA S1 and choose to play a CD, rip a CD during playback, or simply rip.

Like AURALiC's Lightning file streaming, our unique CD playback feature uses the same advanced Memory Playback technology that reduces jitter. The CD data is first read and compared multiple times for accuracy in the system cache before playback. The result is the elimination of potentially transport-induced jitter, negating any negative effects from the quality of your chosen CD drive, potentially improving performance beyond that of competing CD players.

Tone Mode Adjustment

Tone Mode Adjustment fine-tunes the character of the DAC's output sound by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology. This innovative feature enhances the listening experience, elevating the VEGA S1 to new heights of audio excellence and musical enjoyment.

Dual 60fs Femto Clock - With a dedicated 0.8uV low noise power supply to minimize phase noise and keep it as quiet as it is accurate, our 60 Femto Master Clock is incredibly precise for less jitter and pristine sound. Its 60 femtosecond cycles, or 60 quadrillionths of a second, sets a new standard for signal timing. Regulated by temperature for consistent performance, this clock is always there to keep things rock solid.

Galvanic Isolation - One of the VEGA S1's high-speed galvanic isolators sits between the Tesla processing platform and its highly sensitive DAC circuitry. Data can flow through the isolator, even as it physically separates and shields the DAC from interference. The result is an 80% reduction in noise levels compared to the original VEGA DAC.

Tone and Filter Modes - The flexible filter mode offers a nuanced level of control over the audio output. Its various modes were developed using a combination of objective data models and subjective testing, with each mode offering a unique set of filters to match the sonic quality of the source. Tone Mode tuning refines the character of the DAC's output sound by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology.

ORFEO Class A Module - Inspired by classic analog circuit designs, ORFEO can drive a range of loads to match the characteristics of a variety of amplifiers. Using small-signal components with excellent linear qualities, thermally balanced and biased in Class A, ORFEO has the power to drive loads as low as 600 ohms while keeping noise low: open-circuit distortion is less than 0.001%.

Smart-IR Control - Smart-IR remote control allows your AURALiC device to map its functionality to any remote control you desire. Simply tell your device which remote you prefer and all its operations (play/pause, volume control, track selection, etc.) can be assigned to the buttons just the way you like.

Double the Purer Power - The Purer-Power linear power supply reduces DC noise by up to 90dB with its power purification module. Using a specially designed transformer and unique wiring that minimizes vibration, Purer-Power noise is kept below 1uV across the entire audible spectrum, letting you discover the details of your music, down to the last bit.

FEATURES

Reference Mark

Frequency Response: 20 - 20KHz, +/- 0.1dB*

THD+N: < 0.00012% (XLR); < 0.00015% (RCA), 20Hz-20KHz @ 0dBFS

Dynamic range: 130dB (XLR), 20Hz-20KHz, A-weighted

Streaming file format

Lossless: AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, OGG, WAV and WV

Lossful: AAC, MP3 and WMA

Sampling rate

PCM: 44.1KHz to 384KHz @ 32bit**

DSD: DSD64 (2.8224MHz), DSD128 (5.6448MHz), DSD256 (11.2896MHz), DSD512 (22.57892MHz MHz)***

Control software

AURALiC Lightning DS for iOS

AURALiC Lightning DS for web browser (device setup only)

Control software compatible with OpenHome (BubbleUPnP, Kazoo)

Roon (Roon Core required separately)

Audio inputs

Digital inputs: Coaxial, Toslink (2), USB

Streaming audio inputs: Shared network folder, USB storage, USB CD drive, UPnP/DLNA media server, Amazon Music Unlimited, HighResAudio, KKBOX, Qobuz Sublime+, Netease Music, TIDAL/TIDAL Connect, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, TuneIn, Internet radio, Roon Ready

Audio outputs

Balanced: XLR (6V / 2V user selectable, 5 ohm output impedance)

Unbalanced : RCA (6V / 2V user selectable, 50 ohm output impedance)

Network

Wired : Gigabit Ethernet

Power Consumption

Standby : <5 W

Sleep : <15 W

Playback : 30 W maximum.

General

Dimensions - W x D x H 20.7 cm x 29 cm x 8.5 cm (8.1 x 11.4 x 3.3 in)

Weight 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs)

Product Finish Aluminum Case anodized matte black

Contents

AURALiC VEGA S1 DAC Streaming Power Cable

Quick Start Guide