You can count on your fingers and toes the number of DACs currently available worldwide that feature USB inputs capable of handling 'ultra HD' data beyond 24-bit/192kHz together with the playback of DSD audio files using the recently ratified DoP protocol. The svelte-looking Auralic Vega ticks all the boxes for audiophiles who want to explore the highest resolution audio that today's digital technology can offer. Although founded five years ago, Auralic will be a new name to many readers. Only recently have the company's products become available in the UK. Headed up by electronics and recording engineer Xuanqian Wang and his business partner Yuan Wang, Auralic has its headquarters and manufacturing base in Beijing. In addition to the fully-featured Vega the company's product portfolio includes the Taurus PRE line stage preamp (£1790) and partnering Merak 400W monoblock power amps (£2090 each), Taurus Mkll headphone amp (£1490) and two new headphone 'docks' - Gemini 1000 and 2000 (UK prices to be announced) - that will surely be on headphone enthusiasts' wish-lists this year. Auralic has licensed from Klutz Design the form factor of the Swedish design firm's stylish CanCan headphone stand and integrated into the stand's base a USB DAC (based on the Vega) and a headphone amplifier, together with an SD Extended Capacity card reader that allows it to store up to 2TB of data on board. Talk about cool!
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