John Darko
Last year’s news. At Munich High-End in May of 2023, Auralic updated its G2 line of streaming DACs and processors to 2.2 status and introduced two new flagship models: the Aries G3 streaming processor and the Vega G3 streaming DAC, so named because they are built around the company’s Tesla G3 streaming platform – 4GB RAM, 64bit ARM CPU – that additionally features dual 60fs Femto Clocks.
The Vega G3 retains the Vega G2’s Direct Data Recording (DDR) playback, Galvanic Isolation, passive analogue volume control and analogue pre-amplifier functionality but adds the new Proteus X1 co-processing platform.
From the promotional materials: “With its cutting-edge Proteus X1 co-processing platform, the Vega G3 sets a new standard for digital filtering and oversampling, delivering an unmatched listening experience. Specifically optimized to process music signals from streaming content, whether through the built-in streamer or digital inputs, the algorithm running inside Proteus X1 of the Vega G3 enhances the audio quality, significantly improving the listening experience for music that may not be available in the highest resolution format.”
The Vega G3 can also do something that the Vega G2.2 cannot: its streaming functionality is defeatable for the unit to run in Pure DAC mode.
It sells for US$11,899, €11,899 or £10,699.
Why write about the Vega G3 now when it was launched seven months ago?
The answer is simple. An end-of-year video clearout unearthed some smartphone footage shot on the floor of the 2023 Munich High-End show in which Auralic CEO Xuanqian Wang pops the lid on a Vega G3 to walk us through its internals.
Further information: Auralic
