This post was going to initially be a review of the Auralic Vega S1 DAC with external power supply. But as I do, I took a product that presents an excellent, class leading (yes I'm looking at you Denafrips, Topping, SMSL, all the Chinese DACs) Streaming DAC, and became obsessed with making it utterly amazing.
The Vega S1 DAC
The Vega S1 is the latest DAC in Auralic's new "S" line. You can read about the features & technical aspects of it on the Vega S1 product page. In our setup for the review, we used the Vega as the streamer, DAC, and preamp. We also paired it with the external power supply. I have to say however that even standalone, the Vega S1 has an outstanding linear power supply built in. The external power supply is quieter, more robust, and being isolated in it's own chassis it is more isolated from the signal processing components of the DAC.
The initial sound is very open, with a very special presence to vocals and piano. The energy level is lively and resolution is extraordinarily high for a $2000 DAC. All of this may have you thinking the Vega S1 might be bright or hyped up in the upper midrange/treble regions. That would be incorrect. To me it presents the virtues of a Sigma Delta DAC in optimal light. Precision, accuracy, speed, and yet musical instead of analytical. A nice cup of coffee, espresso, or black tea for the ears.
My Merason DAC in contrast has a relaxed presentation. I would say the designers focused on soundstage and achieving a softer, less forward in the soundstage presentation. It has even more resolving power in terms of image and soundstage density. It's a warm blanket that envelopes you with sound. A sonic cup of chai with cream and sugar.
Quibbles With the S1
My quibbles with the S1 have to do with the Lightning App. Everything works great when you are using the Vega S1 as a streamer and DAC. Things break down when you want to use it as a DAC only.
It makes sense when you think about it. When engaged as the Streamer and DAC, you have the ethernet connectivity of the Vega turned on, and therefore access to all of the features and configuration options via the app. That all goes away the moment you set it up as a DAC only. Why? Because the ethernet port and streaming functions are turned off. You disconnect the Vega from your network, so naturally the app will not work. You can access the functions using the buttons on top of the unit, and the display. But the screen is tiny, and the font size of the display is ridiculously small for these (barely) under 60 year old eyes.
Still, at $2000, the Vega S1 is a stupid good buy.
On To The Tweeks!
The very first thing to buy after buying the DAC is a 12"9"x3" slab of granite to use as the foundation for stacking the Vega and power supply on. These things weigh 40lbs and will dramatically improve the sound the Vega S1 presents. It will solidify the image and improve the dimensionality of the soundstage.
I chose the Steinmusic Supernatural Signature feet to put between the granite and power supply, as well as between the DAC and power supply in my setup. The Stein Supernaturals. They add a body, warmth and dimensionality to the overall presentation
- Super Naturals $280
- Super Naturals Plus $520
- Super Naturals Signature $790
For the Signal, we recommend the following:
Fidata ethernet cable from your switch or wall outlet to the Vega S1 - The Fidata is the best ethernet cable we have listened to, by far. It has a gorgeous sonic presentation. The midrange is exceptional and the highs are sweet.
Steinmusic Inline Gold LAN Isolator - This is a relatively new product from Steinmusic. It connects between the Fidata ethernet and the Vega S1. The net benefit is clarity, and better low end, which suggests that it is lowering jitter distortion. I liken the effect to an ethernet reclocker, so there you go.
For the power, we have two tweeks. First the Vega S1 takes a 5x20mm T1A (slow blow) fuse. This is an obvious upgrade point.
QSA 5x20mm T1A fuse
For the power cord, I have the below recommendations
- Good: Grand Activation AC-55 bulk power cable, your choice of connectors. The GA cables have the same type of treatment as the QSA fuses, and it is a very synergistic pairing. Soundstage dimensionality and natural flow of the presentation are the hallmark sound of the GA cables.
- Better: Grand Activation HGA2000. Smoothness, dimensionality and the naturalness of the presentation are improved with the HGA2000.
- Best: Grand Activation HGA6000 (for a more relaxed, dense and dimensional presentation) -OR- Grand Activation AC-55 Bulk Power Cable with QSA Black/Red terminations. With the GA, you get a more relaxed sound with insane musicality and image density. The QSA Black/Red terminated AC-55 power cable is a little more lively in it's presentation, but has incredible naturalness and soundstage dimensionality. I would audition both.
Any one of these will give you a noticeable improvement over the stock fuse. The question of which one to buy depends on you. If you were planning on buying a $6000 + DAC, Buy the granite, Signature footers, Black/Red fuse with the Vega S1 and power supply and be happy. If you have a lower budget, do the granite, $280 footers, $213 fuse and save for the power cord.
Should I really spend that much additional $ on a $3000 Component?
I cannot answer that for you. That is clearly a subjective decision. Consider these points:
The Vega S1 can replace a streamer, preamp, and DAC for $3000. That is an incredible value for the sound, and will be an absolutely foundational component in your system. You will be buying one power cord, one fuse, and one set of interconnects instead of multiples. The savings in those areas may help you justify the expenses.
The choice of cabling and tweeks in this situation will be very influential on the sound of your system. The additional expenditures in these areas will be compounded throughout your system.
The Final Sound
My recommended configuration in order of importance:
- QSA Violet 5x20mm 1A slow blow fuse $711
- Fidata Ethernet cable $930
- Steinmusic Gold LAN Isolator (estimated $1500)
- GA AC-55 Bulk cable with QSA Violet AC connectors $861
- Granite Platform $65
- First set of Steinmusic Super Natural feet $280
- Second set of Steinmusic Super Natural feet $280
With this configuration, and using the Vega S1 as streamer, preamp and DAC I ended up with a sound at a resolution level equal to my Merason DAC 1 MK2 that has a Black/Red fuse and HGA6000 power cord. Sonically they were different in that the Auralic had a more forward in the stage sound, a little more dynamic attack, and was not quite as relaxed as the Merason. My total investment was $4629 retail excluding the price of the DAC and power supply. Is it worth it? I would say yes. Sonically this rivals an $8500 DAC in terms of resolution, plus you get a streamer and preamp. That is quite a value. Additionally, this offers not only an incremental investment path, but an incremental upgrade path as well. You can start with the DAC, add the power supply, and begin investing monthly on the tweaks. Once you have the basic recommended configuration, you can start upgrading the fuse with our upgrade program, and upgrade the power cord, moving the original cord to perhaps your power amp. That's how I would do it. Your mileage may vary, but even if you stop at the recommended tweeks you will have a sound you can live with for a very long time. Which in audiophile years translates to at least two years (I know, I have the disease too...).
Seriously, even if you stop at the $2000 DAC with no other upgrades, you still have something that is really tough to beat at just being a DAC. Use it as a preamp and streamer, and you enter into territory that perhaps no other product can beat. For real.
Thank you for reading this far, and thank your for supporting Tweek Geek! I appreciate your business, and your input. You make experimentation like this possible. I welcome your questions, and, I have everything here available for in-home auditions. Except maybe the granite platform. That would be far too expensive to ship. Amazon sells them for $65 and it's free shipping with Prime. Go buy one, you will find a use for it. :)