Furthering the company's reputation for developing high-performance source components, AURALiC has launched the ALTAIR G2.1, a comprehensively featured product, developed to account for both digital and analogue sources, delivering transformative, dynamic sound for the demanding high-performance audio enthusiast.
The ALTAIR model name has always been synonymous with that of extensive features and functionality. ALTAIR G2.1, however, marks a new chapter, as it’s the first time the ALTAIR concept has been incorporated and elevated into AURALiC’s world-renowned G2.1 series, combining the concepts of extensive features with that of top-quality performance.
ALTAIR G2.1, like its G1 counterpart, provides every function and feature from AURALiC, but in one compact, ultra-quiet box, in line with the G2.1 ethos.
As a G2.1 Series product, ALTAIR G2.1 has been developed with properties and features that ensure its performance is considered “next-level,” and allow for it to be used as a stand-alone preamplifier. Analog Volume Control onboard, similar to that on the VEGA G2.1 and based on a resistive ladder design, provides ultra-quiet signal, no matter the input. Class A Orfeo Output Modules allow for an ultra-low-noise and low-distortion signal in the analog domain. Altair G2.1 also houses two separate all-analog inputs, completely bypassing the digital structure and maintaining a pure analog signal from input to out. The first is a line-level analog input, including home theater bypass functionality, and the second is an in-house engineered moving-magnet phono stage for an elegant, direct, and quiet connection to a turntable.
With so many demands placed operationally upon the ALTAIR G2.1, the choice of processor was simple. ALTAIR G2.1 utilizes the most powerful of the Tesla platforms, which has more-than ample headroom to handle the challenging number of features and functions found in any AURALiC component. Finally, Dual Femto Second Clocks deliver precisely-timed signals, greatly reducing associated jitter. ALTAIR G2.1 can be controlled by Lightning DS (on Apple iOS devices), is also compatible with other OpenHome-based control software, and is Roon-ready as well. ALTAIR G2.1 can deliver a growing number of streaming services such as Qobuz, Tidal and Spotify Connect, with more to come soon.
ALTAIR G2.1’s physical construction, as with all G2.1 products, includes Unity Chassis II, a stealth-silent aluminum enclosure encapsulating a highly-effective copper sub- enclosure that protects the advanced internal electronics from outside interference, a massive aluminum base, and a six-spring suspension footer system, all resulting in a quiet, sublime, musical performance.