Rapallo | Altair G2.1 Digital Audio Streamer

EQUIPMENT REVIEW
AURALiC ALTAIR G2.1
Technical specifications
Type Solid-state network streamer, DAC, preampli er
Analogue Inputs One line (via RCA jacks), one MM phono
(viaRCA jacks)
Digital Inputs Two coaxial S/PDIF (via RCA jacks), one
TOSLink, one AES/EBU, one USB B, one USB A
DAC Resolution/Supported Digital Formats FLAC/WAV/
MP3, etc. Sampling rate for D/A conversion 384kHz/32 bit,
DSD512
Music services/Wi-Fi inputs Amazon Music Unlimited,
HighResAudio, KKBOX, Qobuz Sublime+, TIDAL Connect,
AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Internet Radio, RoonReady
Analogue Outputs One stereo balanced (via XLR connectors),
one stereo unbalanced (via RCA jacks)
Digital Outputs none
Frequency Response 20–20KHz, +/- 0.1dB
Distortion (THD + Noise) < 0.00012% (XLR);
< 0.00015% (RCA), 20Hz–20KHz at 0dBFS
User Interface display (on main unit), Lightning DS application
software for iOS
Dimensions (H×W×D) 80 × 340 × 320mm
Weight 10kg
Price £5,299
Manufacturer AURALIC
auralic.com
UK Distributor AURALIC Europe
auralic.com ([phone]
following ‘About a Boy’ that really grabs you. This bristles
with restrained ferocity, the band does at least, the guitar
and drums sound as if they are barely contained thanks
to the dynamics on offer from the AURALiC. Smith’s voice
is a counterpoint, it’s the darkness in the eye of the sonic
storms that makes the piece that much more poignant.
All of which is clear thanks to the streamer’s ability to
delve right down into the mix and send it to the amp and
speakers in so much  ne detail. That one was with the
balanced outputs and did sound better for it even with a
preamp that is not truly balanced itself.
Just out of interest I put on a few DSD tracks. This is not
generally my format of choice but it seems that some DACs
deal with it rather better than others. Bill Evans’ Explorations
swings beautifully and avoids the papery airiness that often
seems to accompany DS and instead it sounded natural
and relaxed which are the more appealing characteristics
of the one-bit system. Another contrast was made between
the USB and streaming inputs, both supplied by a Melco
N10 music library/server. Here the streaming option had
USB had the advantage in timing, image scale and smoothness of delivery,
however, so it’s safe to say the ALTAIR is a very capable DAC.
deal with it rather better than others. Bill Evans’
Explorations
swings beautifully and avoids the papery airiness that often
seems to accompany DS and instead it sounded natural
and relaxed which are the more appealing characteristics
of the one-bit system. Another contrast was made between
the USB and streaming inputs, both supplied by a Melco
N10 music library/server. Here the streaming option had
quieter backgrounds, fuller bass and less time smear.
Which is quite an achievement given that the ethernet cable
has to be about a tenth of the price of the USB that was
making the connection. USB had the advantage in timing,
image scale and smoothness of delivery, however, so it’s
safe to say that the ALTAIR is a very capable DAC.
The most comprehensively equipped member of
AURALiC’s G2.1 family does an awful lot of what matters in
high-resolution streaming with consummate ease. It doesn’t
offer the upgradeability of AURALiC’s separates but those
looking to hear what a serious streamer is capable of will
 nd an awful lot to like in this superbly executed piece of kit.
Build quality is  rst class and ease of use via the Lightning
app is top notch. Combine the ALTAIR G2.1 with a good
pre and power amp, or perhaps a pair of those active ATC
loudspeakers AURALiC used at Axpona, and you’ll have a
system that’s going places.
Reproduced from hi-fi+ Issue 208 hifiplus.com