AURALIC VEGA G2.2 (01) PDF Document

One of the most unique features of your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 is called Direct Data Recording. It completely abandons the use of PLL (phase lock loop) to extract the clock signal from the incoming signal. The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 records the audio data directly into system memory in binary format, bypassing the original clock signal entirely. As a result, the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 is immune to the input signal’s distortion and jitter, delivering the highest level of sound quality possible.

The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 receives over-the-air software updates to keep it current. When working as a streamer and connected to the Internet, your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 will automatically download and install new updates as they are released. If you use the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 as a pure DAC, you should connect it to the Internet regularly so it can receive the latest updates.

When operating in Lightning mode, there are three fundamental elements to the system: Renderer, Server, and Controller.

Renderer: This is the physical device that plays the music, which is your AURALIC VEGA G2.2.

Server: This provides the music library. When playing files stored locally on your network, the server can be any UPnP/DLNA media server. If you use an internet streaming service like Qobuz or Tidal, that platform acts as the server.

Controller: This is the software you use to browse and select music, such as the Lightning DS App or other OpenHome protocol-based software.

Operating in this mode allows the Renderer to fetch music data directly from the Server, bypassing the Controller. This enables advanced technologies like memory cache, which preloads music data into the Renderer’s memory for bit-perfect playback.

For proper operation as a streamer, please be aware of the following network requirements:

Router Quality: AURALiC’s Lightning streaming technology uses SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol). Poorly designed routers, especially low-cost ones provided by an ISP, often mishandle SSDP messages. This can result in difficulties finding the streaming device within Lightning DS or significant delays in detection. Upgrading to a high-performance aftermarket router from brands like Netgear, ASUS, or Linksys is recommended.

Firewall/Security Settings: Ensure that your router, firewall, or network switches are not blocking ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) and IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) packets. The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 cannot join the home network if these are disabled. Some enterprise-level network equipment may require specific configuration to enable SSDP, IGMP, and ICMP messages.

Please follow these important safety instructions:

Read all safety and operating instructions before use and retain them for future reference.

Connect the product only to the power source type indicated on the back of the unit.

To completely disconnect the product from AC mains, unplug the power supply cord from the AC receptacle.

Do not use the product near water (e.g., bathtub, kitchen sink, wet basement, swimming pool).

Do not install the product near heat sources like radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat-producing apparatus.

Do not let objects or liquids fall into the product. Do not expose it to dripping or splashing, and do not place liquid containers on top of it.

Clean only with a soft, dry cloth.

Do not attempt to service the product yourself. Opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage. Refer all servicing to authorized service personnel.

Please check that the following items are in the box:

VEGA G2.2

AC Power Cord

USB Cable

Lightning-Link Cable

User’s Guide

It is recommended to retain the original box and packaging to protect the unit during transportation and shipping.

The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 should be placed on a solid and stable surface with good ventilation. It dissipates up to 50 Watts of power during normal operation. To ensure adequate ventilation, it should be installed in a space with at least one inch of clearance above, behind, and on both sides of its enclosure. Avoid placing it directly above other equipment that produces heat.

Additionally, due to the distinctive foot damper design, it is essential to avoid placing any objects on top of the device. The springs within the chassis foot damper are precisely calibrated to the weight of the AURALIC VEGA G2.2. Adding extra weight will compress the springs, impacting damper performance and potentially compromising sound quality.

The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 is shipped with its mains voltage preset for the destination country. The mains voltage setting is written on the back of the unit, next to the power cord socket. There is an internal jumper to set the mains voltage between 110-120V and 220-240V. The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 must be used with the correct mains voltage and be properly earthed.

The power cord has a three-wire grounding type plug. It will only fit into a grounded power outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounded plug.

The fuse used inside the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 is a single T1A/250V (1A slow blow) fuse with a size of 5*20mm. The fuse is located inside the fuse box at the IEC AC power socket on the rear of the unit. It is crucial to replace a fuse only with one of the same rating to avoid serious hazards like electric shock, fire, and explosion.

Always power off all units in your system before changing any cables. The I/O ports are on the rear of the AURALIC VEGA G2.2:

IEC Power Socket and Main Switch: Connect the power cable here. Double-check the AC MAIN voltage rating before connecting to a wall outlet. The toggle switch cuts off all power when labeled ‘O’ is selected and connects power when ‘I’ is selected.

LAN: The Gigabit Ethernet connection allows you to connect to a wired network to use it as a streamer and receive firmware updates.

AES, COAX, TOS and USB: These are legacy digital and USB input channels. Data from these ports is recorded into system memory and sent to the Fusion DAC using its own clock, ensuring immunity to input jitter. AES, COAX, and TOS support up to 192K/24Bit PCM and DoP DSD64. USB supports up to 384K/32Bit PCM and DSD512.

L-LINK: This is the preferred connection method for use with other AURALiC products supporting Lightning Link. The ARIES connection receives the data stream, and the LEO connection is for communication with a LEO Reference Master Clock. This is not an HDMI or I2S port.

MCK IN: This is a clock signal input for an AURALIC LEO Reference Master Clock.

eARC: This HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) input supports CEC commands for standby and volume control, lip sync, and 2-channel uncompressed audio up to 24Bit/192K. Note: This channel may be disabled pending HDMI certification on certain firmware versions.

ANALOG IN: A true analog preamplifier input that keeps the audio signal in the analog domain. It supports a maximum signal level of 2Vrms. With the preamplifier function enabled, there is a 6dB gain at maximum volume. In bypass mode, it has unity gain.

RIGHT/LEFT OUT: Both balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) analog outputs are available and can be used simultaneously. With the preamplifier enabled, the maximum output can be set to 2Vrms or 6Vrms. When disabled, the output is fixed at 2Vrms. Avoid using XLR to RCA adapters that short the negative pin to ground, as this can cause damage.

The front panel of the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 features the following controls:

Rotary Knob: This knob offers both rotation and press functionality.

– Rotation: In the “Playing” screen, rotating the knob adjusts the volume level. When navigating menus, it is used to select different menu options.

– Press: A brief press serves as the power on/off function. Pressing and holding the knob for about 3 seconds brings up a popup to choose between standby and sleep mode.

Headphone Output: There are two 6.35mm headphone jacks for monitor use. These jacks are connected together internally and are not individually buffered.

Front Panel Display: The 4-inch high-resolution true color display provides full access to settings and displays enriched metadata.

The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 has an advanced power management system with several modes:

Power On/Off: The toggle switch on the back of the device controls the main AC power. Use this to completely switch off the device for extended periods, such as a vacation.

Standby: When the rear toggle switch is at the ‘I’ position, the device automatically enters standby mode. This is a very low power state where most circuits are off, and the device is disconnected from the network. To wake the device from standby, briefly press the front panel knob.

Sleep: Sleep mode keeps most circuits powered on and connected to the home network. This mode uses more power than standby but avoids the warm-up time for internal circuits. You can wake the device from sleep mode using the Lightning DS app, a programmed IR remote, or by briefly pressing the front panel knob. To enter sleep mode, press and hold the front knob for about 3 seconds, select ‘sleep mode’ from the popup window, and briefly press the knob to confirm.

Force Off: In the rare event the device becomes unresponsive, you can perform a force off by pressing and holding the front knob for 7 seconds. This will reset the system and put it back into standby mode. Press the knob again to restart.

There are two methods to connect your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 to your home network. Before starting, ensure that ICMP and IGMP packets are not blocked on your router/firewall/switch.

Method 1: Use Lightning DS Setup Guide

1. Download the Lightning DS app on your iOS device or Mac with Apple Silicon.

2. Open the app and choose ‘Allow’ when it asks to find and connect to devices on your local network.

3. Select your language and agree to the End User License Agreement (EULA).

4. At the welcome screen, choose ‘Setup Lightning Device’, then select ‘Setup New Device’.

5. The step-by-step guide will lead you through configuring your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 to join your home network.

Method 2: Use Front Panel Control

1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the ‘LAN’ port on the back of the AURALIC VEGA G2.2.

2. Connect the power cord and switch on the main power using the rear toggle switch.

3. Press the front panel knob to start up the device.

4. After startup, press the rotary knob to access the root menu.

5. Rotate the knob to navigate to the “Input” menu and press the knob to select it.

6. In the “Input” menu, highlight the ‘Streaming’ input channel and press the knob to select it.

7. The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 will attempt to connect to the network. If the ‘Streaming’ channel is greyed out, check your network cable connection.

Once connected successfully, the welcome screen will display basic information about your device, including its IP address.

The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 does not have a built-in media server. You will need an existing UPnP/DLNA media server on your network to play locally stored music. To add it to Lightning DS:

1. On the Lightning DS start-up screen, choose the ‘Add Music Library’ option.

2. Select ‘Add Existing Library’.

3. Lightning DS will scan your network and show all available UPnP/DLNA media servers.

4. Select the server you are using and click ‘Next’.

5. The setup guide will begin creating an index of this media server on your iOS device.

If you only use online streaming services, you can skip this process by selecting ‘I Will Set Up Later’ or ‘Just Start-Up’.

1. In the Lightning DS app, click on the blue navigation icon at the top left of the screen to open the side menu.

2. Click on the blue gear icon at the bottom left of the menu to go to ‘Settings’.

3. Select the ‘Streaming Account’ option.

4. Click ‘Add Streaming Account’.

5. A list of integrated streaming services will be displayed. Select the service you wish to log in to and enter your account credentials.

Press the front panel knob to exit the welcome screen and enter the main menu. To navigate, turn the knob to highlight a destination and press the knob to select it. The main menu options are:

Playing: Displays track information, playback status, playback mode, and volume control.

Queue: View the current queue of tracks and select individual tracks for playback.

Library: Reserved for future development.

System: Access general hardware-related settings like network information, output channel configuration, and display language.

Streamer: Configure settings specific to the streaming software on your AURALIC VEGA G2.2.

Master Clock: Access settings for a connected Master Clock (e.g., LEO GX.1).

Input: Select the input channel for the AURALIC VEGA G2.2.

Exit: Exit the main menu and return to the welcome screen.

The web control interface provides access to configure hardware settings for your AURALIC VEGA G2.2. Follow these steps to access it:

1. On the welcome screen of your AURALIC VEGA G2.2, note the device’s IP address displayed.

2. Open a compatible web browser (like Google Chrome or Safari) on a laptop, smartphone, or desktop computer connected to the same network.

3. Enter the IP address of your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 into the address bar of the web browser.

4. Press Enter or Go to load the Lightning Web Interface.

The Smart-IR feature allows you to control the operation of your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 with a remote that you already own. The system is the reverse of a learning remote. With Smart-IR, you first choose a function on the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 that you would like to access via the remote control. Then, by pressing any button on your remote, you teach the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 to respond to that specific IR code for the chosen function.

While Lightning DS is the recommended software, several other options are compatible with the AURALIC VEGA G2.2:

OpenHome Software: The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 is fully compatible with any control software that supports the OpenHome protocol, such as BubbleUPnP, BubbleDS, and Linn Kazoo.

Roon: The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 works as a Roon Ready endpoint, allowing seamless integration and control within the Roon software ecosystem.

TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect: The AURALIC VEGA G2.2 supports both TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect, allowing you to stream directly from these services’ native apps.

AirPlay: The device is fully compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 protocol. You can stream from services like Apple Music and Deezer from your iOS device or Mac computer.

To use these functionalities, ensure that the corresponding option under ‘Available Input Methods’ is enabled in your AURALIC VEGA G2.2 settings.

If you have purchased a used AURALIC VEGA G2.2 that is still registered to the previous owner, your first step should be to contact the person you purchased it from and ask them to deactivate it remotely. This can be done by the previous owner using the Lightning DS app installed on any iOS device they may have.

The previous owner would need to start Lightning DS, choose the option “I Will Set Up Later” or “Just Start-Up”, log into their AURALiC account, and then deactivate the product. This process can be done without the AURALIC VEGA G2.2 unit being connected.

If the previous owner refuses to help or cannot deactivate the unit, you should arrange for a refund and return it immediately, as the device may not be authentic. If you purchased it from a dealer, contact them for help with deactivation.

To maintain the cleanliness of the enclosure, follow these cleaning instructions:

1. Use a soft, dry cloth: Regularly wipe the enclosure with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and smudges.

2. For heavy soil: If the enclosure is heavily soiled or dirty, you can use a mild dish soap along with white-colored ‘magic eraser’ sponges. Dampen the sponge with water, apply a small amount of dish soap, and gently rub the surface of the enclosure.

3. Dry with a microfiber cloth: Use a clean microfiber cloth that has been slightly dampened with water to gently dry the surface. Microfiber cloths are gentle and effective in absorbing moisture without leaving lint or scratches.

Avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive materials, or excessive moisture on the enclosure, as these can potentially damage the finish or electronic components.

*Tested under Filter Mode Precise for all sampling rates

**352.8KS/s, 384KS/s and all 32bit formats are supported through streaming, Lightning Link and USB input only

*** DSD is only supported through streaming, Lightning Link and USB input. By ‘DoP V1.1’ or native DSD protocol

All specifications are subject to change without notice.