Black Ice Audio Aries Hybrid Tube DAC/Amp Review - Jim Fosgate's Swansong is a Gift to Audio World
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- It's long! Lots to cover. The first ~10 minutes will hit the highlights. Stick around for the gory details about said highlights.
Thanks to Black Ice Audio for the loan of Aries!
Aries Website: blackiceaudio.com/aries/p/ari...
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Timestamps...
00:00 Intro, Pricing, Disclaimer
01:32 Shameless Self Promotion
02:04 Lots to Cover - Use Timestamps
02:42 General Takeaways
08:26 Specs & Features List
10:48 Unit Tour & In-Depth Features Analysis w/ Sound Impact
28:02 Tube Rolling
38:31 Use Case Analysis
41:06 Test Gear
45:08 Overall Sound Impressions
49:35 DAC Performance
52:46 Headphone Amp Performance
55:08 Headphone Pairings
1:03:30 Comp w/ Hugo 2 as AIO
1:05:24 Aries is one the best values in Hi-Fi
Jim Fosgate was a true legend. I have very fond memories in the car audio scene during the 90's with Rockford Fosgate amps and subs 🙏
Although I think you undersold the MJ3 in your review of it, I couldn’t help but place an ARIES order due to your enthusiasm. I can honestly say that you are spot on, this is truly a magic box. I wouldn’t call the amp MJ3 level nor would i call the DAC Hugo 2 level just yet, but I’m still using stock tubes so that could change. However, considering all that this thing does and how good it sounds has me very happy with my purchase, great review wavetheory, i gave you lots of backlash over the MJ3 but as you can see I’m still very much a fan, continue to help the audiophile community the way that you do my friend. Thanks!
You are criminally underrated. Best reviewer on youtube hands down!
Agreed. I like many reviewers for headphones and IEMs, but for DAC/amps I go straight to WaveTheory first.
I’ve been looking forward to this one, thank you. Please keep up the terrific work and stay as much yourself as you can. Your different approach, clearly stated preferences, and video series that continues to build on a growing body of work (giving us context) while also ensuring anyone new to your channel can follow everything you say, is a wonderful achievement. You take the work very seriously without taking yourself seriously. Bravo!
What is your favourite headphone amp?
Driving Tungsten is quickly becoming a benchmark for amps … 😎
Very thorough review, thank you.
hopefully you can keep this unit for future review comparisons - sounds like an awesome tube based all in one
thanks!
Excellent review Wave Theory! You rule!
Thanks for another great detailed review.
Black ice formerly jolida is a company I’ve owned multiple tube amps for my 2 channel system. I’ve recently had the BI F35 and previously a Jolida JD 1000p. Loved both products..
Honestly, you're name is Azlan, right?
I hate I loathe steamers… I bought an ultra rendu but just use it with Spotify. The whole bumble upmp or room wnd point crap pisses me off to no end. I don’t build pcs I don’t want a complex streaming setup where I have to read Hebrew translate into Aramaic then convert to Latin just to stream a song. I’m no fan of Spotify to it works with ultrarendu where nothing else just does. I imagine this streamer would piss me off to no end. Wiim and BlueSound just worked easy peasy.
Perhaps the Burson conductor 3xgt and Hugo is working on a tt3. Even then both options will be missing the eq and and streamer capabilities.
Great review, great amp, also L0rdGwyn Aegis please, endgame tube amp DIY $2K, prebuilt $3.5K~$4K, also some headfiers said this is the best amp for Tungsten.
Shiny eyes from radu tarta has some nice stuff
It would be interesting to compare to Mjolnir 3 plus Bifrost 2/64 plus a decent under $500 streamer.
The DAC in the Aries is superior to the BF2 by a considerable margin, IMO.
@@wavetheorysound Thx for the reply. That's impressive stuff beating well regarded separates of roughly equal cost.
Discord link?
👌👍
Wonder how this would be for the Atrium Closed. This seems like it would be an awesome AIO unit
Thank you Sir for another excellent review!
In your humble opinion and years of experience/ exposure, what amp pairing would you recommend for the Sennheiser HD800S up to USD $2,000?
It sounds like you should save up for the aries😅
Look at those tubes roll! 😂
I tried their DAC after your review but had to send it back unfortunately. It was incompatible with my source.
What's the one for 750 bucks that does.the same . This is terrific but not feasible for my reality
Black Ice, you say?
🤟AC⚡️DC 🤟
I just bought the album online. 💿
Is it an upgrade to Cayin HA-1A MK2?
Thank you.
Yes
Great comprehensive review. Are you going to review Flux labs mentor?
If the opportunity arises I'd be happy to.