Hopefully we can continue with the discussion here. Even if it is just as a way to be kept in the loop.
I see some have gone to one place and others started something new. Not sure yet what the better option is. But I’ll follow each for a while.
This. Why I chose the ND5-XS2, rock solid wi-fi.
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I hope it does work for you, I suspect it is built like a tank, with the weakness being software rather than firmware.
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So, I can get an Aries G2.2, ex dem, unmarked, perfect nick, with 4tb nvme fitted at a ‘deep’ discount at £3K and get a trade in on my G1.1 too.
I asked AI whether this was a good idea and it gave me a wealth of information with plusses and minuses but essentially suggesting it was not a wise purchase.
I pushed further and AI considered the points more but still came down on the side of ‘no’ and with some more reasoning to back this up.
With one more push, AI finally cracked and came back with something akin to ‘Fine, do what you like, but it’s a really, really bad idea!’
I’m beginning to think ChatGPT is really just my wife on tinternet while sat in another room.
See below:
Recommendation
Do not pay £3,000 for an ex-demonstration Auralic Aries G2.2.
This price point does not adequately reflect the severe risks associated with purchasing a high-end, defunct product. While the initial discount might seem appealing, the potential for zero support, software obsolescence, and total loss of your investment due to hardware failure makes it an imprudent purchase.
You could purchase a brand new, current-model streamer/transport from a reputable, active company (like Lumin, Aurender, Innuos, or even Bluesound at a lower price point) for a similar amount or slightly more, which would come with a full warranty, ongoing software support, and the confidence that comes from buying into an active ecosystem. These alternatives will offer comparable or potentially better overall value due to their longevity and support.
If you are absolutely determined to own an Aries G2.2 despite the risks, you should aim for a significantly lower price point, perhaps under £1,500-£2,000, to make it a more palatable gamble.
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This. I would not buy any device where you are sure to not ever get a software update. Bugs and vulnerabilities will be found. And of course streaming services might evolve over time, new ones could appear or existing ones could require a change to keep functioning.
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With Auralic, I wouldn’t buy unless their firmware is supported by another company and preferably bought out and fully supported.
Otherwise you are buying a very expensive doorstop.
Prices will plummet as weeks go buy unless they can be fully supported.
Steer clear!
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I hope there will be a buyer for the company , for the consumers and retailers alike
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They would have looked into this beforehand I am sure, so they could do a handover. It looks like noone wanted to buy them out or support them. Normally with a buy out there is a seamless transition. This has not been the case here. Things look bad.
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A streaming product with no support, or on going, really isn’t something you want. I certainly wouldn’t buy one, especially as there is loads to choose from that do offer support, and on going support.
As why would you buy one, knowing this? It’s different if you already own one and have to live with it, but buying new, errr, no thanks, not at any price.
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I think if you are primarily doing local streaming between a NAS and a streamer that are not connected to the net then a quality streamer with no more software updates is probably okay provided it’s end state was good.
What concerns me more isn’t the ongoing support of the streamer so much as the control point. If the app is no longer supported and third party options are limited, eventually you may be tied to an old smart device and that may not live forever. After using the Volumio web interface in another system, while it is somewhat flawed in terms of both capability and user experience, it convinced me that the zero app approach is 100% the right way to go.
In fact over the years I’ve come to appreciate that simpler arrangements are the way to go.
- Web interface. Get rid of the “app”
- Native support for SMB/NFS shares. Get rid of the UPnP server.
Less is definitely more.
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Just to clarify, as indicated further up, I’m not buying another Auralic!
Indeed, I now question the wisdom of laying down any substantial sum on a streaming product when, even if the manufacturer is still around, support for and capability of a legacy product dwindles or even yet again risk experiencing another Auralic moment.
I was however, interested in a detached and remote 3rd party opinion.
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Just like an NDS 
I wouldn’t be so concerned.
As long as the streamer is DLNA/UPnP compatible (and the vast majority are) you will be able to use a basic UPnP app, PC/MacOS/etc or something like BubbleUPnP or MConnect. In fact a particular streamer manufacturer doesn’t supply their own app, they recommend MConnect.
Both BubbleUPnP and MConnect allow access to Tidal, Qobuz and many other services (not Spotify). In some ways they are better than a some manufacturer apps and can host a greater range of services, and be more up to date, etc.
The best way to play Tidal on my 272 is in fact not natively, but using BubbleUPnP and BubbleUPnp Server. This locally locally caches Tidal/Quboz streams and brings the quality almost up to the Core.
I have said it before but urge folk to get a really great dad and roll your own streaming solution. Naim should offer a stand alone dac.
But a WiiM streamer through a DAC doesn’t sound as good as an Auralic streamer through same DAC…
Sometimes these typos do make me smile!
.sjb
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My understanding is you will lose some functionality not using the Lightening OS and if the API’s change?
Is that definitive - and does the difference vary with DAC, e.g depending on its own isolating anx clocking capabilities?
This sad situation only serves to reinforce my own avoidance of online streaming for my main music listening, keeping to locally stored files, online only for occasional sampling of nee things. Of course, easy for someone who already has a decent collection of music, whether or not yet ripped, but less so for people starting out in hifi - and this sort of consideration might drive them to stick with phone streaming.
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Thats a whole different argument though. Streaming or local, not manufacturers longevity.
Re the Auralic devices, the Vega is a standa lone dac, a very good one. it doesn’t need api’s to work. Buy it at a knock down price as a dac, and then use it’s streaming capabilities as long as they keep working, which I suspect will be a very long time. More so with a local nas even if online capabilities falter over time.
The Aries is a more risky buy as it is primarily a streamer with internet connections. It can be used though without as a local streamer from a NAS. Again if the price is right etc.
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