This Altair G1 comes rated 8/10 and presents well overall. Included are a power cable and USB-to-USB HS cable; the original box is not included. There is a chip on the top panel underneath the "L" of the AURALiC logo — please refer to the photos for an accurate sense of the cosmetic condition. No other functional or cosmetic issues were noted during intake.
The Altair G1 was AURALiC's one-box answer to the streamer/DAC/digital preamp category: ESS9038Q2M DAC, dual-frequency Femto Master Clock, balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, AES/EBU, coaxial, Toslink, and USB-B digital inputs, Gigabit Ethernet, tri-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay. PCM support up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD512. Controlled via AURALiC's Lightning DS app or third-party Roon/OpenHome software. Optional internal storage bay accepts a 2.5" drive (not installed on this unit).
CA sales tax applies to all in-state purchases. Contact Audio Element with any questions or to arrange a listen at our Pasadena location.
AURALiC was founded in Beijing in 2009 by Xuanqian Wang and Yuan Wang, whose shared interest in high-resolution audio led them to develop a proprietary streaming platform — Lightning OS — that became well-regarded for both its sonic performance and its robust, long-term firmware support across product generations. Their G-series lineup, introduced from 2017 onward, established the brand as a respected name in the network streaming space. As of late 2025, AURALiC's operational status has been publicly reported as uncertain; prospective buyers of any AURALiC product should factor ongoing software support into their decision.
