Auralic Vega G3 - Streaming DAC

Auralic has announced a group of new products, one of which is the Auralic Vega G3 Streaming DAC.

The Auralic VEGA G3 builds upon the already impressive foundation of the predecessor, the G2.1, retaining key features such as the AURALiC’s proprietary Fusion DAC structure, Direct Data Recording (DDR), Galvanic Isolation, passive analog volume control, and analog pre-amplifier.

The VEGA G3 now incorporate the advanced Tesla G3 platform, providing a significant boost to their processing power and capabilities. Additionally, a new dual 60fs Femto Clocks powers the DAC operation and time the Tesla G3's data output to the DAC. The result is an unparalleled listening experience, with stunning detail, clarity, and precision that is free from any distortion or jitter.

Fusion DAC

AURALiC's Fusion DAC design in the VEGA G3 is a pioneering technology that combines the best features of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs. This innovative approach uses a high performance, manufacturer DAC chip as a basis for modification.

Most of the DAC chips’ functions, such as PLL, digital filter, and oversampling circuits are bypassed, and instead AURALiC's proprietary clock reconstruction, digital filter, and oversampling technologies are deployed. This unique approach ensures that only the precise switching network inside a DAC chip is used for the final digital-to-analog conversion stage, resulting in exceptional sound quality.

This Fusion DAC design facilitates a unique level of customisation and flexibility, providing users with the ability to fine-tune and optimize the DAC to their individual preferences. Overall, AURALiC’s proprietary implementation of this unique, in-house developed technology represents a significant advancement in DAC design, offering exceptional performance and unparalleled sound quality.

Direct Data Recording

The VEGA G3 is equipped with AURALiC's proprietary Direct Data Recording (DDR) technology. Unlike traditional DACs that rely on a Phase Lock Loop (PLL) circuit to reconstruct the incoming clock signal, Auralic's DDR technology avoids using a PLL circuit as it cannot fully remove the distortion and jitter present in the original clock signal.

As a result of these cutting-edge technologies, the VEGA G3 is immune to the input signal's distortion and jitter, delivering the highest level of sound quality possible. The result is an unparalleled listening experience, with stunning detail, clarity, and precision that is free from any distortion or jitter.

Passive Analog Volume Control

Analog volume control is widely regarded as the superior approach for achieving high-performance audio playback. Whilst digital volume control can accurately reduce the signal level, it cannot reduce the noise floor level of the output signal.

As a result, when using digital volume control to attenuate the signal by a large amount, the system's dynamic range is inevitably heavily compromised. Analog volume control, however, can reduce both the signal level and noise floor, whilst retaining the system's dynamic range.

The VEGA G3 features a true analog ladder resistor volume control that delivers exceptional and noise-free control without introducing any distortion. This volume control system includes eight coil-latch relays that remain inactive when not in operation, consuming no power and emitting no EMI noise. Once the system is adjusted, it remains electronically invisible, thereby further enhancing the already outstanding audio performance of the VEGA G3.

Analog Preamplifier

The VEGA G3 maintaina the successful analog preamplifier function from the original VEGA G2.1. This feature has been enhanced in the new design, with the output level increased from 4.4Vrms to 6Vrms to meet the demands of even the most power-hungry amplifiers.

Additionally, the ORFEO Class-A output modules ensure that the balanced output can drive loads well below 600ohm with minimal degradation in performance. If desired, users can disable the preamplifier function through software, with the option to reduce the output level to 2Vrms, allowing for the use of external preamplifiers. In addition, a convenient home theater bypass mode is available for analog input channels.

Galvanic Isolation

Modern high-end DACs are capable of providing exceptional dynamic range that can reveal minute details in the original recording. However, achieving such a dynamic range requires extremely clean clocks, power supplies, and signal feeding into the DAC. To ensure that no noise can be coupled into the DAC circuit, the VEGA G3 is equipped with high-speed galvanic isolators that are strategically positioned between the Tesla G3 processing platform and the ultra-sensitive audio circuit.

These isolators provide physical separation and protection against interference for the DAC whilst enabling data transfer.

Proteus X1 Co-Processor

The Proteus X1 in the VEGA G3 is an advanced technology built around a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA chip, featuring over 200,000 logic cells and 740 DSP slices. This chip shares the Tesla G3's 4GB DDR4 system memory, allowing for powerful data processing capabilities. Unlike in the ARIES G3, the Proteus in the VEGA G3 exclusively processes the signal with advanced digital filter and oversampling, ensuring that all input signals work at the DAC's optimal sampling frequency.

The algorithm running inside Proteus X1 of VEGA G3 is specially optimised processing music signal from online sources, whether it is through the built-in streamer or the digital inputs. This optimisation significantly improves the listening experience for music that may not be available in highest resolution format.

Better DAC, Higher Performance

The VEGA G3 incorporates the same Fusion DAC design as the VEGA 2.2, but with an important upgrade: a final output switch network for analog conversion at an even higher level of precision. This advancement results in a significant 30% reduction in distortion and noise and a 50% improvement in dynamic range, making the VEGA G3 an exceptional choice for even the most discerning listeners seeking unparalleled audio performance.

Pure DAC Mode

Pure DAC mode in the VEGA G3 allows for an optimised signal path by disabling the streaming capabilities of the device. This feature is especially beneficial for users who prefer to rely on other methods for streaming their audio content. With Pure DAC mode, the VEGA G3 provides the cleanest possible signal path, resulting in a high-quality audio playback experience.

Technical Specifications

TBA