Acurus ARIES, User Manual, Page: 18 / 20

ARIES design notes
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The Acurus Aries was designed by engineers at Indy Audio
Labs to deliver an audio experience rivaled only by a live
performance. We refer to Aries as our “concert system” in one
compact unit.
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While other high-end components may draw attention to
themselves cosmetically or sonically, the Aries was conceived
differently. Aries was conceived as a high-end product so
simple to use, so compact and so transparent in operation that
it delivers a dramatic musical event without getting in the way.
The goal of Aries is to deliver a rich user experience in the
least obtrusive manner possible.
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To deliver on Aries goal from an audio perspective, a solid,
neutral power amplifier must be utilized. The power amplifier
should be able to reproduce the broadest possible musical
styles without imparting its own coloration on the program
material. We chose 200W per channel as the target power
spec since this tends to support larger rooms and less efficient
loudspeakers with ample power for music transient peaks. We
also wanted to ensure we chose an amplifier design capable
of driving low impedance loudspeakers (3-4 ohms nominal)
with ease. In order to achieve these stringent amplifier
specifications while simultaneously maintain as compact a
chassis as possible, we developed and introduced in Aries
Acurus’ first ever analog class D switching power amplifier
technology. This new Acurus amplifier platform remains true to
Acurus musicality and neutrality while boasting all the
advantages of class-D switching technologies such as
compactness and low heat dissipation. Acurus engineers were
able to achieve all the above design goals with this new
platform, unique to the new Aries integrated amplifier.
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At the front end of the Aries, much like other legacy Acurus
integrated amplifiers and pre-amplifiers, care has been taken
to ensure signal paths are kept short and utilize minimal or no
gain stages. This ensures that the source signal is not altered
in any way from audio inputs to internal amplifier front-end
stages. We utilize low-noise, ultra-low-distortion digitally-
controlled volume circuits and discrete high-performance
audio relays for basic source switching, muting and volume
adjustments. Subwoofer filtering is performed in the analog
domain with no DSPs in the signal path. This keeps
processing artifacts out of the signal and maintains the most
natural-sounding performance.
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In addition to the subwoofer out, a full left-right pre-amp output
feature is included in Aries. This allows Aries to control an
external amplifier such as an Acurus A2002 driving a second
set of loudspeakers. Or, if additional power is warranted
beyond Aries built-in 400W amplifier platform, an external
amplifier can be connected to allow speaker wiring for a bi-
amplified configuration. The Acurus A2002 is a perfect match
in gain for this option and would result in delivery of a total of
400W to each loudspeaker.
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18 ACURUS ARIES INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER USER GUIDE
Revision 10302014 Document 1000189
The front panel controls of the Aries are modern, minimalist
and meant to be unintimidating for even the listener least
familiar with audio separates. What is required is simply a
basic understanding of the icons and symbols used universally
in modern mobile devices and tablet PCs. The Aries takes full
advantage of this modern graphical approach to
communicating status information. The result is a product
which is easy to learn and operate and conveys a more
modern design approach than most of its peers in the audio
industry.
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Like all other Acurus products developed recently by Indy
Audio Labs, the Aries approach to web connectivity provides
the user with the simplest possible means to control their
audio system with a smartphone or tablet. Aries does all the
network “heavy lifting” behind the scenes so that the user
doesn’t need to download any apps or set any network
settings. The user simply enters the IP address displayed on
the Aries screen in their mobile device web browser. The
user’s mobile device then mimics the front panel display of the
Aries for full audio control from anywhere within the home.
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As user needs change and as technology advances, an
expansion slot in the rear of the Aries makes the system ready
to evolve. The rear-panel expansion slot in the Aries allows for
future cards from Acurus which add 1 to 3 additional inputs
such as digital audio, phono, wireless and other technologies
yet-to-be conceived. Authorized Acurus dealers can provide
additional information about the availability and pricing of
expansion cards as they are released. The Aries owner can
feel confident that Aries can be updated as new source
devices are added to the system.
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All-in-all, the Aries is a full-featured, flexible, yet extremely
simple solution for a wide variety of modern 2-channel audio
applications. Whether for pure audio listening, audio-for-video,
audio-for-gaming or any other applications where surround
processing is not needed or warranted, Acurus engineers are
confident that you’ll find Aries delivers an exceptional all-
around experience.
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