Demo with full warranty
The AURALiC Altair G2.2 represents one of the most compelling all-in-one digital front ends in today’s audiophile landscape — a thoughtfully engineered network streamer, DAC, and analog preamplifier that pushes boundaries in sonics, flexibility, and build quality. Its design philosophy stems from AURALiC’s relentless drive to marry digital precision with analog musicality, and the G2.2 is perhaps the most refined expression of that ethos to date.
At the heart of the Altair G2.2 is AURALiC’s Tesla G3 platform, a quad-core 64-bit streaming engine that delivers roughly eight times the processing capability of the previous generation. This translates not only to robust support for high-resolution formats — up to 384 kHz PCM and DSD512 — but also to incredibly low jitter and latency, enhancing transparency, rhythmic precision, and spatial clarity in playback. Galvanic isolation between the digital processing and analog audio circuits significantly reduces noise coupling, allowing the DAC section to reveal fine detail and dynamic shadings that lesser designs simply mask.
A standout element is the Fusion DAC design, AURALiC’s proprietary implementation that bypasses the standard filtering and oversampling of the underpinning DAC chip in favor of bespoke clock reconstruction and oversampling schemes. This approach yields a sound that many describe as fluid, lifelike, and remarkably coherent — with timbres that feel natural without veering into colored romanticism. Complementing this is the true analog ladder resistor volume control, a rare feature in streamer/DAC units that ensures sonically transparent level adjustments with noise and distortion that digital controls simply cannot match.
In practice, reviewers and owners alike note the G2.2’s ability to draw you into the music. One review praised its “futuristic DAC and streamer integration with ultra-low jitter and dynamic contrast that reveals every detail in your music.” Another commented on the unit’s “well-crafted, futuristic look” and intuitive operation via multiple streaming protocols.
Sonically, the Altair G2.2 excels with a wide variety of material. Its dual 60 fs Femto clocks keep timing errors to an absolute minimum, contributing to a soundstage that is stable and holographic, with bass lines that are controlled yet articulate and high frequencies that remain effortless and clean. The analog stage — driven by Class-A ORFEO modules — supplies ample voltage to drive power-hungry amplifiers without strain, and a home theater bypass mode adds versatility for mixed entertainment systems.
Beyond performance, the G2.2 is designed with real-world usability in mind. Support for Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and OpenHome control software gives you seamless integration with modern streaming ecosystems. There’s even support for USB CD drive playback and ripping, making it an excellent bridge between legacy physical media and your digital library.
For audiophiles seeking a versatile, future-proof digital centerpiece that doesn’t compromise on musicality, the Altair G2.2 is a compelling choice. Its blend of cutting-edge streaming tech, refined analog design, and user-centric flexibility mark it as one of the most accomplished products in its class.
Product Specifications (at a glance):
Streaming formats: AIFF, ALAC, APE, DIFF, DSF, FLAC, OGG, WAV, WV; AAC, MP3, WMA
Sampling rates: PCM up to 384 kHz (32-bit); DSD up to DSD512
Inputs: Coaxial ×2, Toslink, USB Audio, HDMI eARC; Analog Line-stage, MM Phono
Outputs: Balanced XLR (6V/2V), Unbalanced RCA (6V/2V), 6.35 mm headphone
Network: Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11b/g/n/ac Tri-Band Wi-Fi
Control: Lightning DS, OpenHome (BubbleUPnP/Kazoo), Roon Ready, AirPlay, TIDAL & Spotify Connect
DAC architecture: Fusion DAC with proprietary clocking & filtering
Analog volume: True ladder resistor control
Clocking: Dual 60 fs Femto clocks
Physical: ~13.4″ × 12.6″ × 3.2″; ~22 lb
Power consumption: <0.5 W standby; ~50 W playback