Aqua Acoustic

Gwantommo

Wammer Plus
Wammer Plus
Sep 1, 2019
374
210
98
Nottingham
AKA
Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Try going back to page 2 of this thread  :D
Thanks, that’s really helpful. Should always try reading the thread first!

The D.Bob is an interesting alternative but I’d prefer to have a direct connection if a compatible transport exists. I’m wondering if the PS Audio one could be a match, I’ll contact them and see.

 

Gwantommo

Wammer Plus
Wammer Plus
Sep 1, 2019
374
210
98
Nottingham
AKA
Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
After much investigation i2s is just too difficult to use. There are 3 formats and the SACD transports currently available don’t match the Aqua. The Aqua transport was too rich for me, so I grabbed and ex demo CEC and have used SPDIF to connect it. Sounds great with the upscaling on so for now I’m going to stop trying to add SACD to my system

 

Aikidoka

Wammer
Wammer
Feb 23, 2017
251
76
33
London
AKA
James
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
I had asked for the Aqua La Scala but they sent me the Formula instead…..then when I had the La Scala could not live with the difference, so moved back to the Formula….incredible DAC and works well in my system (originally with the Vinnie Rossi and now with the Analog Domain Isis) and Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary. 

GREAT DACs!

 
  • Like
Reactions: HouseElf

MotherSky

The stone that killed two birds
Wammer
Jun 5, 2010
1,828
1,713
158
Shropshire
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
I had asked for the Aqua La Scala but they sent me the Formula instead…..then when I had the La Scala could not live with the difference, so moved back to the Formula….incredible DAC and works well in my system (originally with the Vinnie Rossi and now with the Analog Domain Isis) and Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary. 

GREAT DACs!
Sounds like a very cunning sales technique... were I to suddenly come into money, the Formula would be top of my audition list - as it stands, I'm very happy indeed with the La Voce S3, and my system feels very well balanced - Aqua really know what they're doing

 
  • Like
Reactions: Aikidoka

Blodger

Wammer
Wammer
May 26, 2011
670
186
108
Liverpool
AKA
Roger
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Just peeked inside my La Scala Mk II to check which valves were fitted, and discovered such a thing of beauty!  I don't know much about electronics, but the layout and components look awesome: incredible soldering, such detailed and numerous componentry, can see where the money goes - such a pity they don't supply a perspex cover!

IMG_3811.jpeg

IMG_3813.jpeg

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: HouseElf

HouseElf

Wammer Plus
Wammer Plus
Oct 16, 2016
758
814
133
Coppull
AKA
Rob
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Just peeked inside my La Scala Mk II to check which valves were fitted, and discovered such a thing of beauty!  I don't know much about electronics, but the layout and components look awesome: incredible soldering, such detailed and numerous componentry, can see where the money goes - such a pity they don't supply a perspex cover!

View attachment 103703

View attachment 103705
Wow - like you I know little about electronics but the internals of the La Scala look fantastic. Clearly plenty of thought has gone into the design.

Lots more inside compared to the La Voce so you can see where the extra money has gone. 

Out of curiosity, which valves are Aqua using?

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Blodger

Wammer
Wammer
May 26, 2011
670
186
108
Liverpool
AKA
Roger
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Wow - like you I know little about electronics but the internals of the La Scala look fantastic. Clearly plenty of thought has gone into the design.

Lots more inside compared to the La Voce so you can see where the extra money has gone. 

Out of curiosity, which valves are Aqua using?
Good question!  In the "hifi-advice" review mentioned above, it was stated that at that time Aqua had switched from Telefunken ECC81's to Golden Lion - and the reviewer thought the latter much superior.  It seems from another comment above that Elite had been suggesting Philips.  I asked Aqua about the ones in mine which have a label on which says "81LN1 Special” but no brand on the glass.  Their response was that they are specially selected Russian-made valves, but did not mention a brand.  They certainly seem to be very good, though I'd like to try a pair of Golden Lions to compare.

IMG_3817.jpeg

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: HouseElf

Blodger

Wammer
Wammer
May 26, 2011
670
186
108
Liverpool
AKA
Roger
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
I can report that I swapped the supplied ECC81 output valves for a matched pair of Genalex Golden Lions in my La Scala - and am very happy with the result after a bit over a week of use.  I wouldn’t necessarily say they are better, but rather different - maybe a bit more depth and musicality, very balanced - maybe a little less sharpness but more holographic - although these are very fine distinctions and it may well be a combination of my ears and wish-fulfilment!  
I do remember changing the supplied JJ ECC83 in a Croft integrated for a Golden Lion - and that did result in a very pleasing improvement.  Aqua do rate the Genalex / Golden Lions highly after some communication with them.

 
  • Like
Reactions: HouseElf

Gwantommo

Wammer Plus
Wammer Plus
Sep 1, 2019
374
210
98
Nottingham
AKA
Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Is annoying using the Aqua Linq streamer? I’m thinking of upgrading my Auralic G1 in the new year and as a very happy La Scala owner the Linq looks a good fit. 

Also, I took the plunge and picked up some of the NOS Philips tubes from Elite and they are very good, a definite improvement from the stock La Scala tubes or some Mullards I tried out.

 

simon g

Senior Wammer
Wammer Plus
Sep 11, 2006
2,913
2,257
193
Lincolnshire Coast
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Is annoying using the Aqua Linq streamer? I’m thinking of upgrading my Auralic G1 in the new year and as a very happy La Scala owner the Linq looks a good fit. 

Also, I took the plunge and picked up some of the NOS Philips tubes from Elite and they are very good, a definite improvement from the stock La Scala tubes or some Mullards I tried out.
Which Auralic G1? Aries? Vega? Altair?

Be very careful with the Linq. It does need a bit more knowledge to set it up (choice of renderer, for example). I think it also needs to be controlled by Roon? Not a prob if you already use that of course, but even then the Linq is not plug and play (it has to be set up as HD Player in Roon). The Linq is a very specialised bit of kit, that is very much not plug n'play. In the fast moving world of streaming I'd be very wary of this, especially from a small company like Aqua.

 

Gwantommo

Wammer Plus
Wammer Plus
Sep 1, 2019
374
210
98
Nottingham
AKA
Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Which Auralic G1? Aries? Vega? Altair?

Be very careful with the Linq. It does need a bit more knowledge to set it up (choice of renderer, for example). I think it also needs to be controlled by Roon? Not a prob if you already use that of course, but even then the Linq is not plug and play (it has to be set up as HD Player in Roon). The Linq is a very specialised bit of kit, that is very much not plug n'play. In the fast moving world of streaming I'd be very wary of this, especially from a small company like Aqua.
It’s the Aries G1, with a Melco N1A as a server. I’m exploring digital more deeply as I’ve not got room for much more physical media.

You definitely echo my concerns. Reading the user guide etc it’s quite technical and I really prefer something more plug and play. There’s a lot of options out there and I’m leaning towards a streamer with server like Melco or Innuos. Shame not to take advantage of the i2s though as everything I’ve read says it’s superior 

 

monya

Wammer
Wammer
Apr 5, 2007
1,480
283
128
London, , United Kin
AKA
Robin
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
I see Aqua prices have shot up. Last time I looked - only last year - the La Scala dac was around £5200. Now it’s listed at £6400. This is getting a bit much and I guess if you’re looking to upgrade any kit new, better get a move on.
 

Psilonaught

Wammer
Wammer
Aug 16, 2007
3,774
2,311
158
Saffron Walden
AKA
James
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Which Auralic G1? Aries? Vega? Altair?

Be very careful with the Linq. It does need a bit more knowledge to set it up (choice of renderer, for example). I think it also needs to be controlled by Roon? Not a prob if you already use that of course, but even then the Linq is not plug and play (it has to be set up as HD Player in Roon). The Linq is a very specialised bit of kit, that is very much not plug n'play. In the fast moving world of streaming I'd be very wary of this, especially from a small company like Aqua.
This is utter, utter bollocks.

If you buy the UPNP version, you don't need to do anything other than install Mconnect on your phone and plug in an ethernet cable.

If you buy the NAA Core version you can use HQPLAYER without the need for an accompanying PC and you get the benefit of HQPLAYER. It is completely plug and play.

Your comment below is especially hilarious. You do realise that the entire streamer based on removable cards. That means the unit cannot become obsolete. Since release they have produced UPNP, Roon and next month Squeezelite cards, meaning you can continue to upgrade as tech changes.

That's why I've bought one.

In the fast moving world of streaming I'd be very wary of this, especially from a small company like Aqua.
 
Last edited:

Psilonaught

Wammer
Wammer
Aug 16, 2007
3,774
2,311
158
Saffron Walden
AKA
James
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
You’re saying it can run Roon Core ? Are you sure?
HQplayer can be run via the cards inside the unit (core cards). Any basic PC is required if you want to use roon obviously, but there isn't any processing happening. Anyone using Roon needs a core, that doesn't make the Linq any different or more complicated that any other streamer.

I bought the UPNP version which is super simple. You can (as I will) use it with a PC (Jriver) because I want to apply parametric EQ to my stream, but as I said, UPNP is plug and play and doesn't by default require an external pc.

Read the review here. The reviewer suggests the LinQ is better than the Antipodes K50 and on par with the Grimm MU1!

It also has a very well designed, isolated network switch with dedicated power supply.
 
Last edited:

jobseeker

Wammer
Wammer
Mar 5, 2010
653
401
93
Madeira Island
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
But before you just edited your post to which I posed the question,, you DID say that a PC was not needed for Roon, I believe? Presumably a mis- type.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
113,444
Messages
2,451,263
Members
70,783
Latest member
reg66

Latest Articles