Auralic VEGA G2 User Manual

Digital audio processor. streaming dac

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Page 3 Copyright © 2008-2017 AURALIC LIMITED (AURALiC) and licensors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication including but not limited to, graphics, text, code or interactive features, may be reproduced without the express written permission from AURALiC or its licensors. The content of this manual is provided for information use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by AURALiC. AURALiC assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual. AURALiC, inspire the music, Lightning Streaming, Purer- Power, ORFEO and their graphic logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of AURALiC in the United States and/or other countries. AURALiC's trademarks may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not AURALiC's, in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers or in any manner that disparages or discredits AURALiC. All other trademarks not owned by AURALiC that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with,...
Page 4: Welcome
Welcome For years, the AURALiC VEGA has been a favorite among discriminating listeners. Now, the all-new VEGA G2 keeps the sonic spirit of its predecessor alive by pushing the boundaries of digital music. The VEGA G2 is a high-performance Digital Audio Processor with a completely revamped architecture that excels at the conversion and streaming of high-resolution digital music formats up to DSD512. The industry’s first signal- independent “Master DAC,” the VEGA G2 is redefining the sound of digital. Years of research and development have gone into the creation of the G2 line and the all-new VEGA G2, resulting in engineering innovations that set a new standard for sound quality. With a completely redesigned internal architecture focused on advanced isolation techniques and a novel approach to clocking, the VEGA G2 is breaking new ground in the world of premium digital processing. Advanced galvanic isolators and...
Page 5 • Tesla Platform The AURALiC Tesla Platform is at the heart of the VEGA G2’s processing power. Built around a Quad-Core A9 chip, with 1GB DDR3 memory and 4GB of storage, the VEGA G2 runs at a whopping 25,000 MIPS – 25 times faster than the processor found in the original VEGA. That allows for the introduction of more sophisticated filter algorithms and oversampling techniques than ever before. As always, automatic updates keep the VEGA G2 up to date with the latest feature set and support, continually expanding its functionality and ensuring peak performance.
Page 6 Dynamic and Balance Modes round out the available options that provide an extra level of control over your listening. • Dual Linear Purer-Power AURALiC’s Purer-Power technology already re-examined every detail of power delivery with innovative wiring and circuit designs based on the concepts of isolation and purification. The VEGA G2 takes that approach a step further by including two internal Purer-Power linear power supplies, separating and protecting distinct power circuits from interference. The first Purer-Power supply feeds the VEGA G2’s processing circuit, LCD display, and network interface. The second Purer-Power pathway is dedicated to sensitive audio components such as the D/A converter, the Femto clock, and the analog circuit. Both power supplies are galvanically isolated...
Page 7 Home Menu ........................ 1 4 Now Playing ........................ 1 5 Queue .......................... 1 6 System .......................... 1 6 Streamer .......................... 1 8 Master Clock ........................ 1 8 Input .......................... 1 9 Lightning Web Control Interface ................19 Lightning DS for iOS ....................20 Use with Other Software ..................20 Use VEGA G2 as USB DAC ..................21 Use VEGA G2 as a Streamer ..................21 Getting Started with Lightning DS .................. 2 1 Smart-IR Remote Control ..................23 Maintenance & Service ................... 24 Contact ........................25 Specifications ......................26 AURALiC Product Registration Form ................ 27...
Page 8 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS l All safety and operating instructions must be read before actual operation, and retained for future reference. l This product should be connected only to the type of power source indicated on the back of the unit. If you are not sure of the type of your mains power supply, please consult your dealer or local power company. l To completely disconnect this product from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle. l Do not use the product near water, i.e. near a bathtub, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool etc. l Do not install the product near heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat. See “Placement and Cabling” on page 9. l Do not let objects or liquids fall into the product. Do not expose the product to dripping or splashing. Do not place a vessel containing liquid on top of the product. l Clean only with a soft, dry cloth. l Do not attempt to service this product yourself. Opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage. Refer all servicing to authorized service personnel. See “Service” on page 24.
Page 9: Declaration Of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity AURALiC (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. Room 101, Building No.17, 1A Chaoqian Road Beijing, 102200, China declares under our sole responsibility as the manufacturer of the product: VEGA G2 Streaming Digital Analog Converter is compliant with Directive 2011/65/EC (RoHS) Restriction on Hazardous Substances, and is in conformity with the provisions of the following EC Directive, including all amendments, and with national legislation implementing these directives: 2014/35/EU Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) 2012/19/EU Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive The following harmonized standards were applied: Health and safety of the user: EN 60065:2002+A1:2006+A11:2008+A2:2010 +A12:2011 Electromagnetic compatibility: EN301489-1 V1.9.2(2011-09) EN301489-17 V2.2.1(2012-09) EN55013:2013 EN55020:2007+A11:2011 EN61000-3-2:2014 Class A EN61000-3-3:2013 EN61000-4-2:2009 EN61000-4-3:2006+A1:2008+A2:2010 EN61000-4-4:2012 EN61000-4-5:2014 EN61000-4-6:2014 EN61000-4-11:2004 This product that carries the CE Mark, which was first affixed in 2017.
Page 10: Warranty
‘AURALiC Product Registration Form’ on page 27 and send it back to the address provided to finish the registration. Warranty coverage includes all parts and labor. Warranty is void if damage is due to abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications. Costs associated with the return of this product are the sole responsibility of the owner. All repair work must be done by AURALiC or by an authorized AURALiC repair agency. Work done by unauthorized...
Page 11: Placement And Cabling
The mains voltage setting is written on the back of the unit, besides the power cord socket. Mains voltage setting is not intended to be changed by the user. If it needs to be changed, contact your dealer or AURALiC. The power cord has a three-wire grounding type plug (a plug having a third pin for grounding). It will only fit into a grounded power outlet. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, contact your dealer or AURALiC. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounded plug. VEGA G2 MUST BE USED WITH CORRECT MAINS VOLTAGE AND PROPERLY EARTHED!
Page 12 • USB HS The maximum sampling rates supported by USB HS are 32Bit/384KHz and DSD512. USB 2.0 HS uses asynchronous transmission. All PCM data will be buffered by the Lightning Tesla platform, removing jitter and forwarding the signal to the DAC circuit with its own Femto clock to regulate timing. DSD data will be buffered by separate circuit, removing jitter and forwarding the signal to the DAC circuit with its own Femto clock to regulate timing. • L-LINK (Lightning Link) The maximum sampling rates supported by AURALiC Lightning Link are 32Bit/384KHz and DSD512. Lightning Link is the preferred connection method if you use VEGA G2 with other AURALiC products that support Lightning Link. Please use only with the cable that comes with our Processor and DAC. Lightning Link use an HDMI type of physical connector but it is neither an HDMI port nor an I2S output. Please do not attempt to connect it to any HDMI or I2S device. • ANALOG IN The maximum signal level supported by analog input is 2Vrms. There is a 6dB gain from the internal circuit for this input channel, but there is also a bypass mode...
Page 13: System 1
The power consumption of VEGA G2 is less than 50W. A heavy gauge power cord is not recommended as the weight of the power cord connector may damage the power cord socket on the back of the unit. Please double-check the AC mains voltage on the back of the unit before connecting to the power. Please make sure to power off all units in your system before any cabling job; failure to follow this instruction may result in permanent damage to the device and void any warranty. ALWAYS POWER OFF VEGA G2 BEFORE CABLING!
Page 14: Front Panel
Front Panel The front panel of VEGA G2: • Rotary Knob The rotary knob can be rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise through 20 steps for a full cycle, and can be pressed for operation confirmation. • Headphone Output There are two 6.35mm headphone jacks on the front panel for monitor use. The jacks are not individually buffered and are connected inside VEGA G2. • Front Panel Display The 4-inch high-resolution true color display on the front panel gives you full access to VEGA G2 settings as well as displaying enriched metadata. • Smart-IR sensor The IR remote control sensor is hidden behind the front panel display. VEGA G2 is equipped with AURALiC’s Smart-IR control technology. You can assign the device’s functions to any buttons you choose on your IR remote control. Please refer to ‘Smart-IR Remote Control’ on page 23 for detailed instructions. Using your VEGA G2...
Page 15: Power Up And Sleep 1
Power Up and Sleep VEGA G2 will power up automatically after the main power on the back of the unit is switched on. To put the device into sleep mode, please press and hold the rotary knob for a couple of seconds till you see confirmation message, select yes and press the knob to confirm your operation. To bring the unit back to work in sleep mode, please press the rotary knob briefly. You can also use Smart-IR function to assign remote button for function. Please refer to ‘Smart-IR Remote Control’ on page 23 for detailed instruction. Welcome Screen VEGA G2 has two different main display styles depends on what input channel you are using. • Using VEGA G2 with streaming input channel When the VEGA G2 while using the streaming input channel, you are greeted by the Welcome Screen (above), which displays your device model, device firmware version and the IP address of your device. Refer to page for details on accessing the web interface to set up your device using its IP address.
Page 16: Home Menu.
• Using VEGA G2 with all other input channels When the VEGA G2 starts up with any input channels other than streaming input, the Welcome Screen will show current input channel, sampling rate and volume number. If you have muted VEGA G2 by either remote control or Lightning DS App, the volume number will flash to remind you of its status. You may press the rotary knob to leave the Welcome Screen and go to the Home Menu. Home Menu The Home menu is the root level menu of your VEGA G2. There are seven destinations available from the Home Menu:...
Page 17: Streamer 1
1. ‘Now Playing’: This interface will be available for access when VEGA G2 uses its streaming input channel. The Now Playing interface displays track information and status, playback mode (shuffle, repeat) and volume. 2. ‘Queue’: This interface will be available for access when VEGA G2 uses its streaming input channel. The Queue interface shows what’s currently in the VEGA G2 queue. Individual tracks in the queue may be selected for playback. 3. ‘Library’: This interface is currently unavailable and reserved for future development.
Page 18 Queue The VEGA G2 playback Queue is stored in device memory. Rotate the rotary knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to select a track and press the rotary knob to activate ‘Select Operation’ popup menu: Please rotate the rotary knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to select the operation you would like to execute and press the rotary knob to confirm your selection. Please select ‘Exit Queue’ if you would like to exit the Queue interface back to Home Menu. System...
Page 19: Input
The System menu contains all interface and hardware related settings. Rotate the rotary knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to highlight a destination, and press the rotary knob to select it. To exit the System menu, please rotate the rotary knob clockwise to the last and select ‘Back to Menu’. 1. ‘Filter Mode’: Your streaming device has four built-in filter modes each employing five digital filters optimized for corresponding sampling rates. Developed using a combination of objective data models and subjective testing these modes optimize sonic quality for varying music types and formats. ‘Buffer Time’: The Lightning platform saves input signals to system memory to remove jitter then send it to DAC. A larger buffer time will add more latency between input and output, but may be more stable with various music sources.
Page 20 9. ‘Hardware Information’: Display device hardware information such as S/N and firmware version. 10. ‘Language’: Select a different interface language for your device. ‘Firmware Update’: Check and update device firmware. Please make sure your device is connected to Internet. 12. ‘Erase All User Settings’: Erase all settings on your device. Your device will reboot automatically when the operation is complete. This operation will not erase music data on your internal storage. 13. ‘Back to Menu’: Back to Welcome Screen. Streamer The Streamer menu contains all streaming and rendering related setup options. Use the rotary knob to highlight a menu item, and press the knob to select. 1. ‘Room Name’: The name of your Lightning Streaming device used for both the device itself and the Lightning Server configuration running on the device. 2. ‘Available Input Methods’: Enable or disable particular virtual input channel. Disabling unused input methods may improve overall sound quality.
Page 21: Lightning Web Control Interface
AREIS G2 using a Lightning Link cable. The Streaming input channel will only be available to select when VEGA G2 is connected to your home network by an Ethernet cable. Lightning Web Control Interface The Lightning web control interface is an easy way to access hardware settings for AURALiC devices including the VEGA G2 using any laptop, smartphone, or desktop computer. Put the device’s IP address into the address bar of a compatible web browser (Google Chrome & Safari are recommended) to access the Lightning Web Interface. Your VEGA G2 IP address is visible on the Welcome Screen (see “Using your VEGA G2.”)
Page 22: Lightning Ds For Ios
Screen shot of the Lightning web control interface Descriptions for each setting accessible via the Lightning web control interface are visible within the interface itself. Lightning DS for iOS Lightning DS is a free music control app developed by AURALiC for iOS. It is compatible with iPad, iPhone, and even the latest generation of iPod touch, and is available for download from the App Store. A user’s guide for Lightning DS may be found on our support website: support.auralic.com Use with Other Software The VEGA G2 is compatible with other OpenHome-based control software (although not with UPnP-based software such as JRiver Media Center.) Some functionality may be limited when using 3rd party control software. The following software may be used:...
Page 23: Use Vega G2 A Usb Dac
To download AURALiC’s USB Audio Driver, please go to support.auralic.com, Select ‘Software Release Notice’ > ‘Current USB Audio Driver’ and download the latest driver. The AURALiC USB Audio Driver supports Windows 7/8/10 but no longer supports Windows XP for performance and security reasons. Use VEGA G2 as a Streamer To use VEGA G2 as a streamer, you simply need to connect VEGA G2 to your home network with an Ethernet cable. Once VEGA G2 has obtained an IP address you’re your...
Page 24 Left: Language selection interface Right: EULA interface If no device has been set up for use with Lightning DS, the app provides the opportunity to set one up now. Select ‘Setup Lightning Device’ > ‘Add Existing Device’: ...
Page 25: Smart-Ir Remote Control
Lightning DS searches for and displays available streaming devices on your network. Select VEGA G2, and select ‘Next’: Left: Lightning DS searching for device Right: selected device with information Lightning DS is now connected to and able to control your VEGA G2. If you would like to add a music library now you can choose ‘Add Music Library’ and follow the setup guide that appears. You can also skip the setup guide by selecting ‘I will Set Up Later’, and Lightning DS will continue to its main interface. Smart-IR Remote Control Smart-IR Remote Control lets your AURALiC device map its functionality onto any remote you’d like. Just let the device know which remote you prefer, and all of its operations (play/pause, volume control, track select, etc.) can be assigned to buttons just the way you like them. To configure Smart-IR Control, select ‘System’>‘Smart-IR Settings’ from the VEGA G2 Home Menu.
Page 26: Maintenance & Service
The Smart-IR settings menu shows a list of controls that can be mapped to any button on your own remote control. Follow the menu guide to complete your remote control setup. Please note that when learning new remote buttons, the VEGA G2 distinguishes between ‘short’ presses and ‘long’ presses (press and hold.) We suggest pressing the desired button the way you want to use it several times when the VEGA G2 is learning about a new button. Maintenance & Service VEGA G2 does not require regular maintenance for normal use. However, there are a few things that will help to keep it in good operating and cosmetic condition: Cleaning Only clean the enclosure with a soft, dry cloth. Extended Non-use Disconnect VEGA G2 from mains power when it will be left unattended or unused for an extended period. If your VEGA G2 encounters a problem, contact your dealer or AURALiC. Do not void the warranty by allowing unauthorized personnel to attempt to repair. Do not attempt to service the product yourself, any unauthorized repair of the device will void the warranty.
Page 27: Contact
Before VEGA G2 can be returned for service, an RMA (Return Material Authorization) number must be issued by AURALiC. Contact your dealer or AURALiC for further information. Contact If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our technical support department: AURALiC North America Inc. 711 Dawson Drive Newark DE 19713, United States Email: support@auralic.com TEL: +1 (302) 314-5555 You may also find useful information through our knowledge center and community: Knowledge Center: support.auralic.com Community: community.auralic.com...
Page 28: Specifications
Specifications Frequency Response: 20 - 20KHz, +/- 0.1dB* THD: < 0.00012% (XLR); < 0.00015% (RCA) Performance DNR: > 130dB PCM: 44.1KHz to 384KHz in 32Bit** Sampling Rates DSD: DSD64 to DSD512*** AURALiC Lightning Link Digital Inputs: AES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink USB Input: USB device to computer or streamer Inputs Network Input: Gigabit Ethernet Analog Input: 2Vrms maximum with home theater by pass Balanced: one pair of XLR, maximum output at 4.8Vrms Single-Ended: one pair of RCA, maximum output at 4.8Vrms Outputs Headphone: two 6.35mm stereo headphone jack OpenHome Streaming Protocol RoonReady Lossless: AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, OGG, WAV and WV Streaming File Formats Lossy: AAC, MP3, MQA and WMA AURALiC Lightning DS for iOS AURALiC Lightning DS for web interface (device settings only) Control Software OpenHome compatible control software (BubbleUPnP, Kazoo) Roon (Roon Core required separately) Power Consumption Playback: 50W at max. Dimensions - W x D x H 13.4 x 12.6 x 3.2 in. (34cm x 32cm x 8cm) Weight 17.2 lbs. (7.8kg) Product Finishing Precision-machined extrusion aluminum case in matte black *Tested under Filter Mode Precise for all sampling rates **352.8KS/s, 384KS/s and all 32bit formats are supported through Lightning Link and USB input only *** DSD is only supported usings Lightning Link and USB input. By 'DoP V1.1' or native DSD protocol...
Page 29: Auralic Product Registration Form
AURALiC Product Registration Form Owner Information Your Name Address City Zip Code Country Email Telephone Product Information Product Name Serial Number Dealer Name Purchase Date Purchase Price...