AURALiC ALTAIR G2.2 Wireless Streaming Transporter Review
AURALiC releases its brand new all-in-one streamer, the Altair G2.2. Based on forward-looking technology, our test marks its exclusive debut in Germany! We are more than excited.
Back in 2008, AURALiC founders attended a concert by the Berlin Philharmonic at the Waldbühne. This experience became a musical revelation for Xuanqian Wang and Yuan Wang, inspiring them to found AURALiC in 2009. The AURALiC ARK MX, the world’s first asynchronous USB DAC, launched a year later, pioneering music streaming.
The VEGA DAC followed as the first USB DAC capable of playing DSD128 files. The G-Series, released in 2017, remains central to AURALiC’s product lineup with its commitment to top audio performance, innovative design, and the Lightning ecosystem—a highly advanced platform for streaming products.
Eye-catching
The AURALiC Altair G2.2 is a truly luxurious all-in-one streamer. Its price tag of around $6,000 reflects not just prestige but also an array of features and superior build quality. This isn’t mere extravagance; the Altair G2.2 boasts various impressive features, making it a powerhouse for any modern stereo setup. Upon unpacking the Altair G2.2, we were struck by its weight, a solid 10 kilograms of meticulously crafted metal casing.
The device’s sleek black design fits any setting, highlighted by a four-inch high-resolution display showing menus and album covers in vibrant detail. The high-quality finish extends to elements like the R2R ladder volume knob, which reduces noise for clean signal output. The front also includes a 6.3 mm headphone jack, while the back houses numerous ports, including analog and digital inputs, such as LAN, USB, HDMI eARC, coaxial, and optical connections. The Altair G2.2 functions as both a streamer and a preamp with XLR and RCA outputs for balanced or unbalanced sound paths. It also features spring-loaded feet to stabilize and isolate the device from vibrations, custom-tuned for its weight.
Futuristic DAC
The heart of the AURALiC Altair G2.2 is the Fusion DAC, a blend of ladder and delta-sigma chips with proprietary PLL, digital filtering, and oversampling technology. The Altair G2.2 is built on AURALiC’s Tesla G3 platform, which, with a 64-bit architecture, reduces latency and jitter by 90% over the previous model.
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The quad-core processor is eight times faster, ensuring future-proof streaming capability. Additionally, the Tesla G3 platform is galvanically isolated from the audio circuit, preventing interference and supporting a 6V output level suited for power-hungry amplifiers. The device uses an ORFEO Class-A output module that can be adjusted to different applications.
Lightning Mode
Here’s the highlight of the Altair G2.2: the streamer can operate in various modes, such as Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, or Bluetooth, depending on the protocol. It can also function as a Roon Ready Endpoint. The Altair G2.2’s full potential, however, shines in Lightning Mode, controlled via the Lightning DS app available on iOS.
This system has three parts: the Renderer, which is the Altair G2.2 device playing the music; the Server, which supplies the music library, either locally or through streaming; and the Controller, an app like Lightning DS or other software supporting the OpenHome protocol. With four gigabytes of system memory, the Altair G2.2 pre-loads music directly into the Renderer for seamless playback, enhancing the listening experience.
The Altair G2.2’s signal processing offers excellent flexibility. We can customize the DAC’s sound mode and filters, currently in beta but functioning smoothly in our tests. There are two modes: “Clear,” offering maximum clarity, and “Warm,” adding subtle overtones for an analog touch. The four filter modes—”Precise,” “Dynamic,” “Balanced,” and “Smooth”—allow fine-tuning. “Smooth” delivers our preferred result, seamlessly blending voice and instruments. Each filter impacts sound character, like enhanced bass or spatiality, and switching between them is easy, though perhaps less practical for frequent changes. The analog preamp and phonostage also perform impressively, providing a deep, wide soundstage.
App Control
The Altair G2.2 setup is straightforward. While dealers typically handle setup for this premium device, we managed it ourselves. Activating the app gets the device ready in minutes, though registration is required. The app design, however, could be more intuitive, as navigating settings requires extra steps, which is less user-friendly. Adjusting filters also pauses playback briefly, though we expect improvements in future updates. Despite minor quirks, the app offers deep customization, from EQ to output levels, giving users extensive control over every aspect of the sound.
Sound Test
In our sound test, the Fusion DAC and Lightning platform exceeded expectations. We switched filters, sound modes, and operational modes frequently to assess the impact of pre-loading music. Playing the same track through Lightning and Tidal Connect yielded noticeably different results. While Tidal Connect offered a typical DAC sound that sometimes felt cold or flat, Lightning provided a vibrant, spacious feel, especially evident on Fontaines D.C.’s track “Romance.”
We preferred the warmer sound of the “Soft” profile, with the “Smooth” filter binding voice and instruments beautifully. Switching filters alters bass or spatiality, though the choice of filter is subjective. We also tested the phonostage, delivering a rich, balanced sound with remarkable sensitivity. The Altair G2.2’s sound is precise and clear, presenting a high-level streaming experience with unparalleled flexibility for personal taste. It’s truly fantastic!
Tech Specs
General
- Device Class: Network Player/Streamer
- Price Category: Luxury Class
- Manufacturer: AURALiC
- Model: Altair G2.2
- Price (RRP): $5,999
- Dimensions (W/H/D): 34 x 8 x 32 cm
- Weight: 10 kg
Technical Specifications (according to the manufacturer)
- Supported Streaming Services: TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, UPnP
- Supported Formats: PCM, DSD
- Maximum Signal Resolution: 32 Bit / 384 kHz, DSD512
- Power Consumption:
- Normal operation: max. 50 W
- Stand-by: < 0.5 W
- Inputs:
- 1 x Coaxial
- 2 x Optical
- 1 x USB-A
- 1 x USB-B
- 1 x HDMI eARC
- 1 x Analog
- 1 x Phono
- Outputs:
- 1 x XLR (Stereo)
- 1 x RCA (Stereo)
Conclusion
The AURALiC Altair G2.2 feels futuristic in many ways. Its flexibility and rich features are genuinely impressive. In terms of aesthetics and, most importantly, sound quality, it sets new standards. While the device and app software may need minor adjustments, the Altair G2.2 demonstrates what the future of digital sound will be: full-bodied, precise, and musical.
Special Features
- Fusion DAC
- Phonostage
Advantages
- Advanced technology
- Very precise sound
- Deep customization options
Disadvantages
- Control currently requires optimization
- No remote control
Rating
- Playback Quality: 10/10
- Features/Build Quality: 9/10
- User-Friendliness: 8/10
Intermediate Score: 86 out of 90 points
Value for Money: Good (8/10)
Overall Result: Excellent, 94%
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