Denafrips ares ii alternative. Make of that what you will.

Denafrips ares ii alternative The Denafrips stuff is good for the price if bought direct, but also check out Aqua, Metrum, GD Audio etc. Virtual Systems Let the world see what you've built. Reactions: prerich. HADES. RCA at 2. Buy Denafrips ARES 15th Anniversary 24bit/1536KHZ(USB) DSD (USB) DAC i2S Input Power Supply Transformer 115/230V (215 * 230 * 45mm, Black, 1PCS): Amplifiers - Amazon. R - 2 R D / A C O N V E R T E R. B. The DAC Denafrips Ares II should have 2 weeks of use now. The belief here is that paying extra to have an R2R DAC like Enyo over the built-in delta-sigma DAC in the DMP-A6 will not yield any audible differences as long as neither are broken/poorly designed. a Gustard X16. They have great customer service! If you have an issue, they attempt to resolve it within 24-48 hours. 01% precision resistors. ATHENA. HESTIA. AMP. But I would especially like to note the excellent separation of all melodic lines and the holographic bulge of focused musical images. 00 (presuming I can get $900. I'm still missing the RME ADI-2 DAC FS, which I'll get soon. Unboxing experience is pretty good. HYPERION. I'll investigate alternative upgrade streamers in other threads. Ares is relying on hundreds of 0. I noticed a subtle difference in the high frequencies, a bit smoother, no hint of any glare on any tracks, where the OS would on rare occasions and on some tracks show a bit of an edge. Package Contents. It is powered with a Pangea AC14SE power cable, is placed on 4 feet of Pangea sorbothane and the modulation cable between the DAC and the Elekit TU-8200DX amp is a Van Den Hul "the first Ultimate", which has the particularity of containing no metal but only carbon fibers. All tests showing limits are ignored on the basis of claims about the test procedure "tainting" the listening capabilities of the test subjects, or the test subjects not being "true audiophiles", or some other random grasp at straws. Ebenezer. A lot has been made about this DAC’s ability to DAC ~ Denafrips Ares 12th -- Cambridge Audio CXNv2 -- Topping D70S AMP ~ Cayin HA-6A -- Auris HA2-SE -- Topping A90 HP ~ Hifiman He1000SE -- ZMF Verite Open Stabilized IEM ~ CampfireAudio Andromeda DENAFRIPS ARES IIThe sound is wide and natural with defined layering and neutral tonality. The Denafrips Ares 12 lacks to connect with my emotions like the Mytek and Aune do. Hi folks, I’m looking for a Denafrips Ares II or Enyo 15. Seen great deals on the Ares II used too. Dec 10, 2024 #1 I had an ARES II. I bought the Denafrips used ($500 shipping included) and the SMSL new $400. 00 Denafrips GAIA 12TH AIO-DDC HK$11,780. sjeesjie Active Member. Mikig. Joined Mar 25, 2007 Messages 511 Reaction score 60 Points 131. It alters sound and in order to sound good, you need to pair it with another device that alters sound in the opposite direction to fix it. I’ve settled on the OS and Sharp Filter settings for my system. Agent oficial denafrips pentru Romania denafrips. 00; Denafrips Hyperion Power amp $ 2,449. But the Eversolo DAC measures near state of the art and is more feature rich so it is more highly recommended. The reflashed Ares ll (with the 12th Annv. I think it costs US $680 so not too high for a custom DAC. Instead, D/A conversion is done through the resistor ladder At this time, about 2 years ago, I had, in my system the Harbeth 30. Thread starter amirm; Macbook -> iGalvanic 3. I’m an analog listener primarily now, but I’d like to up my digital game with streaming. The overall look of the ARES II is rather plain: The A couple of years ago I started taking my digital front end seriously. It’s more useful, usually, in older amps not designed for 2V CD player output, or the modern dac/streamer equivalent, but I’ve also found them useful in some more modern amps (that should know better) too. Buna ziua de vanzare este denafrips ares II dac , cel mai bun pret performant R2R dac . top of page. Purveyors of fine Hi Fi. The Denafrips ARES II has very good performance as an R2R DAC. Special Thanks: Jarvin Cassidy CoFull Review: https://headfonics “Whether it was listening on my home theatre set-up powered by 'separates', or my ancillary all-in-one systems (specifically, the KEF LS50 Wireless and LSX speakers), the Denafrips Ares II made an immediately discernible difference. 5 and MaCormack DNA 0. 00 - the Ares 2 is currently $1,149. True balanced 24BIT Another cheaper alternative I would say is the Chord's very own Mojo 2. Last edited: Dec 10, 2022. Take away the capacitor bank and the internals of the DAC are no more overcrowded than equivalent DACs on the market, save the discrete R-2R circuitry which involves many SMD resistors which form part DACs: Denafrips Ares ll, Music Hall 25/3 Tube, RME Adi2, Teac. 2, 96, 176. I have two external DACs, one is a Delta Sigma SU-9N and the other is the Denafrips Ares II with the 12th Anniversary firmware installed now (R2R dac). 7 looks interesting, I know DS dacs usually perform well in this regard, but can anyone with a holo audio or this denafrips ares II in NOS mode can shine some light onto how it performs in NOS? Here's Holo Spring DAC 12kHz -9dBFS in NOS mode, 48kHz: Turning on OS mode produces this Denafrips is a modest Chinese company that operates out of Guangzhou and (since 2012) mainly developed dacs. The buyer pays the PayPal Goods and Services fee (2. FREE DELIVERY ON ALL UK The Denafrips Pontus II is a very different DAC compared to the Benchmark. My modest setup is as follows: • Audiolab 9000a integrated amp (QED XT401 cables, Symphony II XLR interconnects) • Q Acoustics 3050i floor standers • Wharfedale SW150 sub • Aries II isn't clear whether this is the well known Denafrips Ares II DAC, that is always mains powered as far as I am aware with no options for external power supplies. 00 DENAFRIPS Arce Streamer HK$6,680. Apple Music (lossless) --> iPhone 12 Pro Max --> Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter --> USB into the Denafrips --> RCA into the Page 1 R-2R DAC is also a symbol of high-end DAC. The improvement in clarity was startling—every instrument sounded tighter and punchier, without becoming anemic. VENUS 15TH. Forums. Sources were a Nagra CD player, Nagra preamp, VTL tube monoblocks, Rockport Avior speakers, Melco streamer. I wonder to know if anyone has already tried iGalvanic and iPurifier. After about a half hour of warm up, I turned the volume Denafrips Ares 15th DAC $ 1,999. So for me, it was better. Bluebook The right price. That said, I did tend to prefer the Bifrost 2 to the RME before I sold the RME. 0 -> Ares II(can't test it because I have USB 3. My system: Rega P3, Mac Mini utilizing Audirvana to the ARES feeding a VTL 2. I love planar magnetic headphones and I love tube amps, so I’m feeling this would be the right kind of I like the Ares II, the SMSL M400, the Topping D90, the Audio GD R1, and one DYI DAC based on dual AD1865R NOS chips - in that order. We did this in a live setup (not recording the output signal) instantly converting back to analog, all with an RME ADI-2 Pro FS, running standalone as ADC-->DAC at 192kHz after the ARES. Since the reflash it is a perfect balance of smooth warmth coupled The Pontus 12th replaced an Ares II that now happily feeds into an old Musical Fidelity A2. Or as a wise valid alternative, keep the BSN2/Ares II setup for the moment and put the money on new speakers in the first place Your comments have been helpful, it doesn't give a definitive answer but helped to define a process - and in terms of Hifi, walking the journey is as pleasant as achieving the end-result (as long as you don't waste too Denafrips Ares II DAC Price: – $1,028 Singapore$ ($770 US) Vinshine Audio . PC ->denafrips ares II/S. According to Ares II product page, rca and xlr have these output impedances Analog Output. My Exposure 3010S2 CD player, 2 Burr Brown 1704 DAC chips, 12 years old. 00 . Jjb067, Dec 4, 2024 #8. Zhao takes care of the creative input and importer Alvin Chee is responsible for the quality The Denafrips Iris DDC works flawlessly since 2,5 years in my system, the Ares 12th-1 DAC since 2 months. 00; Denafrips Hermes 12th Anniversary DDC $ 2,249. ARES 15TH. M. TERMINATOR 15TH. Alvin: I went for the Venus II and I love it. The Ares II employs true balance R-2R DAC design. Mar 25, 2024. ARTEMIS. They're both around the same price and both test very well. The I think that once you've tried R2R you don't go back (if you want real music reproduction you can listen to for hours). Of cou Audiogon The world's largest high-end audio community. Every time. WILLOW TREE AUDIO. Hello, decided to make a dedicated thread for those interested in the Ares 12th. 4, 192KHz On All Input 1536kHz* On USB Input NOTE* USB Firmware V3. That person had the Gungnir for 6 years, Obviously these two are very different in that the D90 is a DS DAC, whereas the Denafrips is an R2R. I also want to try the next schemes: Macbook -> iGalvanic 3. I have the Ares II fed by an RPI4 via USB streaming Tidal from Volumio. Wait for 5s4. 1 - PCM1536 / DSD1024 supports disabled for compatibility with macOS I love taking risks, especially when they pay off and I am surprised along thejourney. Biamp300B Member. 5, CDP: YBA Design, Mac Mini running Audirvana streaming tidal and Qobuz, Denafrips Ares II DAC, Speakers: Sonus faber Liuto Towers Pretty much all bought used or special closeout except for the Mac Mini, DAC and cartridge. As with the other Denafrips products, it contains a fully linear power supply built around a beefy toroid transformer in combination with a large bank of small capacitors. Sigilat din fabrica cu garantie completa de 3 ani. The Ares II received a huge amount of fanfare as a game-changing DAC in the roughly $1,000 price range. com . jpeg. FPGA Firmware) easily out performs the rest of the DACs I own. solderdude. Press the Mute button once to enter configuration That person had the Gungnir for 6 years, then got Ares 2 and liked it more. 4. Was in a smoke-free and pet-free environment. I have one AKM based delta-sigma that sounds as good as the Ares II, and almost as musical, but it sounds different. If you look more carefully, there is a separate available option to buy products in US dollars. That said Mac OS kind of sucks for high res streaming. When I was looking into picking it up, the Ares 12th was just coming onto the market and appeared to have all of the benefits of the Ares II with a few significant upgrades, so I opted for the new model. Thank you for reading! Best, Ben. Where Benchmark aims for compact efficiency, Denafrips brings what I’d call old-school audiophile sensibilities which seem to measure quality by the kilogram. Not the ARES. are welcome. Keep it on/standby 24/7 for the best sound. Press the Mute button once to enter configuration mode2. Now just The Denafrips Ares II R2R DAC retails for around $1,500, while the Topping D90 retails for around $900. It pushes the altering of the signal to levels that are unquestionably below any threshold of human hearing, but what good does it do if the D10 has already I want a Denafrips Ares II sooo bad. Together, we can expand into the global The Denafrips Ares II has a beguiling color. Email: sales@vinshineaudio. Denafrips website, Ares II specs: DSD64-DoP On All Input DSD1024* On USB Input PCM24bits / 44. In both design and execution, it clearly has different priorities, and nobody would ever confuse the two devices. I've had the Ares 2 for a week or so and like it a lot, it's detailed and the soundstage is nice and wide but it lacks the sparkle of the D90. The Ares II’s attributes are not dripping in obvious coloration rather it has a beautifully natural sound that makes it easy to enjoy whilst still being strikingly accurate and detailed. 4 to 2. Thread starter amirm; In personal practice, I connected the Musician Pegasus (same output impedance as the Ares II) to my preamp trying both the 50K Ohm and the 10K Ohm single-ended inputs (the preamp has two different input boards) and could not detect any sound difference. In its compact 2. There's a good chance that you already have a suitable platform in your possession to I'm considering another DAC and have been looking at the Denafrips Pontus rather than the Ares II, however I think the Qutest and BF2 are currently heading the list. With its natural and musical sound signature, high-quality components, and easy upgradability, the Ares is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their digital audio setup. If you’re thinking of spending big bucks on a DAC it’s my favorite option under $1600. Red = Main Room Current Setup. Each channel is decoded by 4 sets of R-2R network. Thread starter Zaiden; Start date Oct 9, 2024; Zaiden pfm Member. This design has very small linear error, high decoding speed, low digital noise, not only to ensure that the audio signal is low distortion, but also to ensure a very low background music noise; SW1X is a bit better, but it clearly is not as good of a value as Ares II is. 99%) and the actual shipping cost via FedEx (with a corporate discount) or USPS. Is the output impedance of Topping's L70 and D90 1. 0Vrms, 1250 Ω; and Gustard P26 User Manual, rca and xlr input impedances are: Analog input: RCA：Input impedance 47k XLR1 & XLR 2：Input impedance 47k I’m new to digital after being vinyl only forever and am enjoying my Denafrips Ares 2 streamed from a Project Streambox S2 Ultra using Audirvana. BitPerfect_ Active Member. After 100 hours at OS-slow, today I decided to flip to NOS. My Denafrips Ares II is all and more that I expected from it. 65 ohms? mike7877; Oct 21, 2024; Headphone Amplifier Reviews & Discussion; Replies 7 Views 1K. In fact so much surprised that by the end of 2022, I upgraded to the Pontus II. 5, Pre : VTL 2. The Ares II goes for $768 USD. Whack a DDC (like the Iris) onto this and it comes close DENAFRIPS Ares 15TH R-2R DAC HK$6,780. FREE DELIVERY ON ALL the Ares 15th further elevates the already impressive build quality of the Ares 15th. - Yes this is a personal review of it. I took a risk with my first Denafrips purchase, the Ares II DAC. Denafrips Ares II vs Young MK III from M2Tech (800 USD vs 1600 USD) – Young MK III is pretty grain-free, but comes through as bright when compared to Ares II which is perfectly transparent. Thread starter Witterings; Start date Dec 10, 2024; W. The DSP portion of the ARES II shared much similarity to the Terminator DSP board launched recently, of which received high-praises Denafrips ARES II 12th-1 Anniversary 24bit/384KHZ(USB) DSD 11. so after every point there is a sharp transition. I also upgraded the network distribution: a modified Cisco Meraki switch, Audioquest Vodka cat. That exactly proves my point, denafrips is a worse device than say topping e30 from engineering perspective. Anyone have Amir has measured the Denafrips Ares II years ago, which is a predecessor to the Enyo 15th, and it was fine. My only gripe is that Pro-ject and Denafrips I went for the Venus II and I love it. The differences between the Denafrips Ares II and the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M ($499) were stark. Of course this means that I'm wondering about the Denafrips Pontus II at $2,449. 0Vrms, 625 Ω; XLR at 4. 00 Denafrips Aether MCLK HK$10,680. I particularly don't like the Topping D30, the Topping D10, and the Topping D50s - on anything other than the ZU Omen DW II's. Schiit BiFrost II vs Denafrips Ares II? IMO the best upgrade path for Bifrost 2 is Schiit Modius, comes with a return window too. PONTUS 15TH. The instructions were comprehensive and step-by-step clear to follow. It was an informal test with a guy who had one and made all the usual claims and I said well let's see if an ADC-->DAC process with its "lousy" D/S converters Hi Annie! Attached are a couple of photos of my system for you to use on your website along with my initial impressions:The DENAFRIPS Ares II is the DAC I’ve been searching for for 30 years! It easily outperforms other DACs I’ve had in my system. 0 -> iUSB 3. Everything sounds just as it should from individual instruments I’d like to break the ice by describing how I started my audiophile journey. BTW, in my second audio system I use an old ODAC DACs - Anyone heard Chord Qutest, Denafrips Ares and Pontus. Enabling the Slow Filter adds Although not very tech-savvy, I easily (and deliberately) uploaded the upgraded the DENAFRIPS DAC FPGA Firmware for my original Ares II. Support. 1 option from $1,199. These are Stereophile class A rated, as you requested!!!!! It was the first and last time I had so many dacs in my room and me and a fellow local audiophile did some extensive testing. 0 cable termination) and Macbook -> iPurifier 3. Words like flow and musical keep coming up. The Denafrips Ares II is a pretty incredible value at $750 (S$1028), it is a no-frills device with tank-like build quality and a natural analog sound signature that will please many digital-skeptics. Colour Name: Silver . Speakers: ZU Dirty weekend 6, Klipsch RP8000F, Klipsch RPM600 (2) Sub Klipsch. Jul 17, 2021 Odroid-HC1/2 would be an interesting low cost and low power alternative. I have been fortunate enough to compare the Khadas Tone Board, Denafrips Ares II DAC, and Nagra R2R DAC ($35k) side by side installed in a $100k+ system installed in a custom designed "idealized" acoustic room. Synergy is a term, in HI Fi, not much used these days, but I use it. Joined Jul 11, 2021 Messages 181 Likes 43. But it sounds rather two-dimensional by comparison, both are equally details, but the Ares II Topping D90 vs Denafrips Ares II? Thread starter turbotuff; Start date Mar 20, 2020; Best sounding DAC under $1000? Topping D90 Votes: I have a D50 & an ares ii. Dear friends, Please find the following ARES II videos guide of: Basic Operation NOS/OS 1. Ares II / Enyo will be the first, follows by Pontus II and so on. 288MHZ(USB) DAC IIS i2S Input Power Supply Transformer (1PCS) (Silver) Brand: AVPLAY. I'm planning to buy a new DAC in mid-June and have seriously considered the Ares, but am probably going to go with the D90 MQA for various reasons that do not include price since they are so close as to make no difference. L SU-9-> SRM-T1 -> ED-1-> STAX/ Nighthawk Carbon / AKG K712 PRO/ Fostex T50PR mk III/ Monolith m1060/ Hifiman HE 4XX/ Audeze SINE/ Sennheiser HD58x Jubilees/ Audeze LCD 2 C/Hifiman Ananda/HD800. SU-9N and the Denafrips Ares II with 12th software upgrade. The job of Iris was to receive The Ares 12th-1 changed everything. Denafrips Ares II 12th Edition. Joined Jul 11, 2021 Messages 182 Denafrips Ares II perform 16 times oversampling to generate a pseudo First-Order Hold instead the more common Zero-Order Hold used by most ladder DACs. I’m convince that ARES II 12th is what HIFI should be without any specific color or biais sound signature. ” The Ares II gave me a more pleasurable listening experience and far more three-dimensional soundstages. Denafrips Ares II vs Marantz HD-DAC1. This reviewer also reviewed the Denafrips Terminator Plus and gave it the same score, so it would be logical to assume he’d prefer the Gustard to the Pontus ll 12th Anniversary as the Terminator is a couple models up in the Denafrips line and is considerably more expensive. I’ve had the Ares II in my system for about 10 days now. If you want natural beauty, the ARES II does that too. But then again, for 400-500 euros less, you get 75 to 80% of the sonic qualities of Ares the Second. Maybe that is source of the delay. It is complete to my ears. Ares II back in operational mode Filter Selection (Effective in OS Only) 1. The phono preamplifier is a Feel free to go through the following video guide for Ares II USB MCU Firmware Update. Today I realized that my Ares II becomes quite a lot quieter following a warm up period. And if they adjust the tone controls in the FGPA chip that's fine too. The FPGA firmware update is for all DENAFRIPS DACs with the latest FPGA BGA chip. No returns doesnot offer much of a security blanket. mulțumesc ! Quote: "Oh, before you ask me, it beats the hell out of Denafrips Ares!" The reviewers neighbor also joined in with positive comments over at AS. vinshineaudio. Anyone here using the Ares 2 with a Chromecast Audio streamer, by Toslink cable? Don't want to hijack thread. So today I've ordered the 3rd (July 2023, v1. Denafrips Ares II is an R2R (resistor to resistor) DAC, meaning it doesn’t use any factory-supplied solution on a chip such as Sabre, AK, Burr-Brown, etc. M. Denafrips ARES II USB R2R DAC Review. Denefrips: Ares 2 DAC, BIC:500 balanced transformer. As for the RME, I have two AKM based DACs currently, a Schiit Modius and Modi 3. Upon startup, with my LA4 preamp at -12db, I was getting audible hiss with my ears a few inches from the tweeters of my 88db sensitive Paradigm Premier 700Fs. Notes: 1. In another thread, I have asked this Ares 2 dac looks to have pretty good amount of components for the pre-out section, i am sure it doesnt sound harsh and clinical. The whole point of any DAC hardware is to avoid altering the sound? It's not that the D90 doesn't perform technically better than the D10. Hello Alvin, It’s been almost four months since I received my ARES II and I have logged many hours of listening to it since then. It does not apply to the older DSP (Amanero, released in One thing I will say about Denafrips is this. eu Toate modelele sunt in stoc pentru livrare imediata. S. However, the D90 is a more affordable option that still provides exceptional performance and a wide range of features. Peachtree Nova150; Bluesound Node 2i; Denafrips Ares II; Tekton Electron speakers. see denafrips joins the two points by inserting 15 more points through 16x oversampling by a straight line. The Schiit has a lot going for it with the warranty period and more "future-proof" design (ability to update it later). com. THALLO. Reactions: Mark6088 and Donkey Karma. After all, I was notspending many thousands of dollars like Denafrips ARES II USB R2R DAC Review. If you are interested in my full review of Chord Mojo 2, please look in the description of this video. " Ares II. And its faults if any, should not be audible. Practically brand-new Denafrips Ares II. 1 One part of the audiophile mythos is the idea that there's no limit to human listening capabilities whatsoever. i took an ares II right after reading Amir's test just for the evaluations of him . 7% Total voters 131; Prev. com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible The Denafrips Ares II 12th sounds even better with my new Parasound 2250 V. Cheapest R2R, at least from Denafrips. My source is a Transrotor Fat Bob S with a custom made mat (copper/carbon machined to fit in place of the original mat), an Origin Live Conqueror Mk3 tonearm with a Miyajima Labs Saboten L stereo cartridge. It is on kind loan from a member. There is a app that will change the sample rate based on the sample rate of the music you are using. Option 2 Ares 2 to Gustard A26 to PA5 Ares2 output impedance XLR 1250 Ω to Freya- S input impedance 10K ; Freya-S output impedance XLR 600 R (balanced) to PA5 input impedance 10K Gustard with input impedace 47K ; output impedance 100R seems better for my application where i would connect a power amp ie PA5 or equivalent. In conclusion, the Denafrips Ares DAC is a high-quality, modular, and affordable digital-to-analog converter that is well-regarded by audiophiles around the world. I'm piecing together a new setup. . 00 for my used Ares 2) shouldn't I expand my search to include other DACs in the $2,500. 6 KB · Views: 0 Schiit Audio: Jotunheim 2 Amp. but basically it's the same r2r idea and it should be the same Denafrips’ sound that we came to know. My biggest critique on this unit is that it makes some tracks totally unpleasant. Can the Denafrips ARES II match those holographic bulges of focused musical images? The sound is balanced, rich in timbre and energetic. "The Ares II's output impedances were even higher, at 2. Also I'm not sure my system is good enough to hear the difference. I highly recommend the Denafrips Ares 12 if you want a safe, laidback warm presentation that gives you all the information you need without giving you sensory overload. 1, 48, 88. Condition is like new - purchased in March 2024. I imagine this is a DAC for people that prefer a "hands off" approach and are less likely to play around with PEQ. Press the Opt1 momentarily- Opt1 On = NOS- Opt1 Off = OS3. Beware of grey market products and Thank you for your email and your product. @dogonelder After checking out a few DACs I have to say I am very happy how the ARES 2 sounds in my system. My DAC progression: Schiit Bifrost(for 1 year) Schiit Bifrost + Uber (for 3 years), Schiit Bifrost 2 (for 2 weeks), Denafrips Ares 2 (1+ years). Thread starter amirm; Start date Jan 29, 2020; After playing with Gungnir and Bitfrost 2, I realized I can’t stand Modi 3 sound I just can’t listen more than 10-15 min with it. 5-liter size, the ARES15th features a comprehensive range of connectivity options Basic functions & features of the most popular Denafrips DAC - Ares IISome tricks:1. What's new. It was not bad, but a lot less details compared to those two. Despite its small size, the entry-level 915-euro Denafrips Ares II DAC is still surprisingly heavy. Still, enough reviewers had praised thesound, construction and customer service to take a chance. Highly recommended. Replies 23 Views 24K. Darko on YouTube has a video about this. Apr 7, 2024. Thread starter amirm; Start date Jan 29, 2020; Prev. The Musical Fidelity M6si internal DAC was really bright when comparing to the others. LET'S GET STARTED! STEP 1: Plug in the USB cable from the Windows PC to the DAC USB input port. Denafrips Ares II Vs Schiit Bifrost 2 Ebenezer; Jan 23, 2023; Digital + Analog Converters (DAC/ADC/DDC) 2. I can't truly vote accurately cause I don't have the As I stated in my Schiit Bifrost 2 review, there is somewhat of a “DAC hole” between about $250 and $700, meaning that if you want to significantly improve performance from a $250 DAC you have to move up to this 700ish Ares II level (or Bifrost 2 or Soekris dac1321). The Ares should not be used with preamplifiers or integrated amplifiers that have an input impedance less than 10k ohms. I’ll move the Iris / Ares II to my office and purchase a Hestia and Hyperion to go with But nice that denafrips is still updating the Ares 2. I realize the Ares 2 is $834 US dollars vs a $1200 Gumby but I'm willing to overlook the extra cost, as it's all about the sound. Includes factory original power cord and box. Streamer Comparison - Bluesound Node2i vs The bifrost 2 is schiit's midrange multibit (R2R) dac offering. Oct 21, 2024. I can't think of anything missing with the Ares 2 "sound" in my setup. I received mine yesterday and really feel that it's a top notch performer that is well worth the asking price and deserves to be on anyone's short list if you With denafrips Ares II 12th, what your hear is what you get. November 2020 I ordered the Denafrips Ares 2 and was much surprised by the musicality and build quality of this DAC. [FS] Denafrips Ares II 12th-1 DAC. The Ares II Sometimes, older is better. APOLLO. What I've more or less narrowed it down to 2 choices for the next DAC - a Schiit Bifrost II or Denafrips Ares II. I would like to have had MQA on the ARES II, but that wasn't worth a 400 CHF bump in price for me. I've looked at the objective data and both are audibly transparent (what shortcomings the Denafrips has are inaudible). I should have mentioned I've had an ADI-2, Denafrips Ares II Acurus RL-11 (modified) Threshold s/300 optical bias (modified) JBL Studio 590 Dual 12" sealed DIY subs w/Dayton Titanic drivers powered by Soundcraftsmen MA5002 and filtered with Rane AC23 and That's pretty interesting! I might have to pick one up. Mostly the reason I have been looking at R-2R DAC's as of recent. Listed by: benjaminhuypham (24) Listed: 2024-11-26 IMG_5515. Joined Aug 16, 2020 Messages 238 Likes 133. S. Denafrips Ares II Votes: 52 39. I Am I happy with the ARES II, yes, very much so. and a Topping D90 before moving up to the more expensive ($2K) Gustard X26Pro My personal preferred order was D90 Reviews. This is a review and measurements of the Denafrips ARES II USB DSD DAC based on R2R architecture. The ares II has much more detail and integrates my bookshelf speakers with the subwoofer so much better. If anyone is interested, please let me know! I have an itch to scratch with R2R. L. The Denafrips costs about 50% more, but both easily fall in the range of “under-$1000 DACs. Bass is bit softer, slightly less The only thing I've been able to search on these two DACS is a brief comparison between the non-multibit Gungnir and the Ares 2. This is an amazing piece of digital wizardry that I can not praise enough. Listening to pillar I by Andy Akiho there is a concert bass drum that when played through the ares II sounds so much more detailed and lifelike than through the Added:Modi 2 Uber vs d14 dac to magni 2 :15/15(dat treble on the d14 arghhhh) Added:Chord mojo line out vs Modi 2 Uber to magni 2:15/15(chord sounds warmer) Chord mojo vs PC lineout to d14 amp or magni 2:14/15(noticeable) Chord mojo vs Modi 2 uber and D14 to little dot mk2:12/15(schiit to tube sounds better) Ofcourse denafrips fresh outta the box, needs burn in for 200 hours minimum, but bass response wont change I don't think. Where Benchmark aims for Denafrips Ares II : Has rich Harmonics, wide soundstage, lot of space between instruments, round edges (not fatiguing), tube-amp like sound. Also connected to the Node 2i is an SSD with lossless music files stored there. You may be wright , that’s all the info I have at present Denafrips Ares II 12th Edition. The overall look of the ARES II is rather plain: The LED indicators are quite tiny so standing top Well, here’s a well-written review of the R26 that he gave an overall score of 94. 5 to Sonus faber The Ares and Ares II have large capacitor banks for the power supply filter for lower ESR, as opposed to using one or two large capacitors. 2 40th anniversary edition monitors. Young MK III also has fairly hard edges sometimes, with a much wider I connect my Ares II to Gustard P26. Use only the RCA or XLR o +1 vote for the Denafrips Ares 2 is definitely great bang for the buck. Specifications: Proprietary R2R + DSD Architecture. If you want to stop chasing bits and fretting over sampling rates, file Hello guys, We're happy to announce the tiny mighty ARES was upgraded to ARES II. The RME is not on my radar for a premium DAC being that is a Delta-Sigma based unit, I've personally not heard much difference between DS based DACs so am very reluctant to spend If you look more carefully, there is a separate available option to buy products in US dollars. Elite Audio have a no quibble returns so you can try at home and do some great prices on ex display Metrum and Aqua. Thread starter BitPerfect_ Start date Jul 17, 2021; B. The R-2R DAC that I will discussing today is called Denafrips Ares that uses a 20-bit R-2R Ladder for PCM material (up to 24-bit, 384 kHz) add another 6 bits of resolution using 32 steps FIR Filters for DSD material. 6. This statement is simple but that change a lot of things about music listening. 2 amplifier than it already does with my Arcam AVR5. 00. Oct 9, 2024 #1 Exceptional DAC. The Ares II was only used for a few days and then put back in the box. Young MK III also has fairly hard edges sometimes, with a much wider Denafrips Ares II besides measurements - worth it? Giuanniello; Apr 7, 2024; Home Music Servers, Computers and Streamers; Replies 3 Views 2K. In fact it sounds very much like my turntable or my reel to reel player. So if you are itching to have an R2R/custom boutique DAC, the ARES II makes a good candidates. The Schiit Modi Multibit sounds nothing like the Denafrips Ares II, although it does nothing wrong, it doesn't sound even the slightest bit harsh or shrill. 69. Member. The Low Down: The Denafrips ARES II R2R DAC may use older technology, but when done right, resistor ladder Digital To Analog Converters can provide a natural, engaging sound. 00 Was contemplating to get a R2R with I2S input say Denafrips ARES 12th Anniversary or Musician Pegasus Any recommendation? Thanks in advance . 0 Interface, iFi Ipower X power supply, 3x's Nordost Odin 2 silver power cable, Odin 2 gold power cable, Odin Gol d XLR, Odin 2 decoder DAC data cable USB, HiFi Audio Grounding Box, Anti-static grounding mat. The performance of the Denafrips Iris and Ares II is phenomenal! I don’t have a lot of flowery words to describe the sound, other than to say the clarity in which everything comes across is superb, very engaging, making it easy to spend hours listening. Dec 31, 2020 #1 Hi, I'm looking at I have been fortunate enough to compare the Khadas Tone Board, Denafrips Ares II DAC, and Nagra R2R DAC ($35k) side by side installed in a $100k+ system installed in a custom designed "idealized" acoustic room. There is a solution. Nov 14, 2022 #1,240 Cool! Finally a OS/NOS button that basically does not put it in “real” NOS mode! The Ares II sounds better than all of my ESS based DACs (including Topping DAC, AudioQuest AmpDac, and Woo AmpDac) though I am sure that an ESS based DAC out there would probably sound as good. It lost the right I have a denafrips ares II and LOVE it. livrare 1-2 zile. Was stunning in the musical reproduction that I crave. If you have one & wanted to sell it, please let me know! We can work the deals out. -----As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. New posts Search forums. Thread starter Menoetius; Start date Dec 31, 2020; Tags marantz Menoetius Established Member. I have two dacs in my system a S. The Parasound made the mids sound fuller and even more 3D live thanks to the Denafrips. 0 -> Ares II. So yes, the ARES II made a huge upgrade to my system. The panthers are complaining that they are looking too short relative SW1X is a bit better, but it clearly is not as good of a value as Ares II is. That’s exactly why the ARES II (1098 SGD, about 800 USD) has received so many accolades On my cornwall 2's only the denafrips doesn't sound shouty. The Denafrips Ares II R-2R DAC makes use of the very first form of digital-to-analog conversion, a resistor ladder, to deliver exceptional audio Read More The Node 2i sounded like someone put a cloth on top of my speakers compared to Topping D90 and Denarips Ares II. 00 DENAFRIPS Enyo 15TH R-2R DAC HK$4,680. Brand: AVPLAY: Minimum supply voltage: 100 Volts: Interface type: USB, Coaxial: UPC: It is not that Mojo 2 is bad at all those; on the contrary, it does all this great also, but Ares II is just a better DAC in every criterion. The 12th-1 model has true NOS mode and comes with an I2S input - which means it can be connected to a DDC. I'm wondering, as I'm sure a lot of people are, about how the Multibit Gumby compares to the Ares 2. A lot has been made about this DAC’s ability to As for the Ares/Enyo, I've never run a ladder / R2R DAC in my system, have heard a couple offerings by Schiit, but not for extended periods. I’m actually looking to trade my RME ADI-2 DAC fs (the newest release with updated chipset) for one of them. I’ve been a music lover all my life but it’s only been maybe 5 years since I started buying serious audio gear. The Denafrips Pontus II is a very different DAC compared to the Benchmark. Both DACs offer excellent value for money, but the Ares II has a slight edge in terms of sound quality and features. i was getting quite good depth with topping so I thought lets try ares ii , and now I have my topping plugged into the rig back over optical for those times when I want cheap thrills WXC-50 + Denafrips Ares II, DSD playback. All are more detailed than the reel to reel but not even close to the turntable. I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Amir has measured So yesterday I ordered the Denafrips Ares II 12th generation (more power, better firmware, and i2s input) which reviewers say sounds even more realistic than the original Denafrips Ares II. But if I am willing to spend another $1,549. I'm impressed. Distributors. 8) firmware. 00; Contact us Get In Touch [email protected] Stav: 0400 556 558; As the only authorised Australian Denafrips retailer we offer 1 year manufacturer warranty, purchase with confidence. Review Index. "After careful consideration we have decided to award the Denafrips Ares II five stars and our Alpha Approved label! Congratulations!" Pros • Excellent sound • Balanced output • Versatility • Price Cons • Changing filters is cumbersome (DENAFRIPS: Video guide to change filters -> here) • No remote control "We put on a couple of reference tracks and start our I had the Topping D90 for a few weeks, loved the detail but found the presentation of the sound too forward which bugged me so much that I sold it and ordered an Ares 2. This is not just detail, but its, so to speak, the next version. The R26 produces so much 3d illusions and renders a timbre that is almost hair raising, its its own thing. Owner and designer Mr. I have the same sound as before but better. 2. I'm looking forward to hearing the Denafrips (R2R technology) compared to Delta-sigma chip based from ESS Sabre (I have the Topping E50, Topping E70, Arcam The Ares DAC is a 20Bit/1536KHz, native DSD1024, discrete resistor ladder Digital To Analog Converter, also known as R-2R DAC. " After listening to it for a few days I decided to sell my European DAC, which is 2 1/2 times more expensive and I bought the sample Musician DAC from Sandu " TT: Rega 3 w/Grado Gold, Amp: McCormack DNA 0. It didn’t have quite the DacMagic 200M The Ares II is their cheapest DAC- user Maty found it was the only one of their lineup that got his toe tapping. I've always wanted to try a ladder DAC, and thought a used Ares II might be a good option then saw the RME option and the AKM 4493 intrigued as I like the DAC. But I still prefer dac's with high score like my D5 and then add a high quality stereo pre-amp before going straight to a speaker amp. Thank you for the opportunity to share with you my In my research so far I've come down to the Denafrips Ares 11 and the Chord Qutest, I've read great individual reviews of each and also watched some utube comparisons of the two dacs, which often finish by saying they are both great dacs but of course the Qutest is quite a bit more expensive than the Ares 11. I have test-listened R2R DACs in the past and found them iiritating after a while. My unscientific comparison was done in this method: Node 2i optical out to Nova150 optical in; AND, Node 2i coax out to Ares II, thence Ares II analog out to Nova150 Aux in. ) and bought a Denafrips Ares 2. Website: https://www. Denafrips Ares II 12th (came with the 2nd firmware) has 3 firmware updates and reviewers/customers have said that each version sounds better. Its not very forgiving. 2k ohms, unbalanced. Not a Denafrips Ares II DAC; D/A Converter The Music Room $783 2% Jan 1, 2025 AVInside Denafrips Ares II 12th Anniversary – Bargain AVInside ZAR 7,500 13% Dec 25, 2024 Ares II Pontus / Venus (New DSP) Terminator (New DSP) GAIA + Terminator Plus Quick Start Guide Connect the AC Mains to the DAC power socket inlet Switch on the power. News. Bought because I like the sound of modern AKM, so I thought about a used RME too. 1 The Ares II has been described by more than one reviewer as more airy and holographic, while the D90 has much better bass, more expressive highs and Topping D90 vs Denafrips Ares II? Thread starter turbotuff; Start date Mar 20, 2020; Best sounding DAC under $1000? Topping D90 Votes: (Vinshine Audio), you will find the price of the Ares II just over 1,000--in Singapore dollars. about audio, possess excellent sales skills, and have a wide customer base, we sincerely invite you to join the Denafrips family as an exclusive regional distributor. Once the AC supply is on, the DAC will be in Standby The Denafrips Ares II is a pretty incredible value at $750 (S$1028), it is a no-frills device with tank-like build quality and a natural analog sound signature that will please many digital-skeptics. TERMINATOR-PLUS. Witterings New Member. I can hear more detail than I did with the Ares II and the bass is much more pronounced and Raves and Giant KillersIf you want excitement from your digital music, the ARES II does that. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one. It is an interesting dac for a few reasons, the primary one being that it offers an exceptionally warm and 'thick' presentation that will go a long way to satisfying ARES 15TH. I’ve been reading up on DAC’s over the last couple days, and the Denafrips Ares II and Pontus II keeping coming up along with Chord Cutest, in comments that catch my eye. Make of that what you will. My main audio system consists of an Audiomat Opera sitting on a maple butchers block driving Martin Logan Montis speakers. maybe holographic soundstage will come . I find the Ares II be most pleasing to my ear. 4k ohms, balanced, and 1. Verificați anunțurile noastre pentru kinki studio și alte mărci. 00 range? Denafrips ARES II USB R2R DAC Review. But source=Apple Music (hires lossless, and spatial audio surround music) and Denafrips Ares II 12th dac (R2R technology for 3D live/realistic sound). Element H USB 3. 0 -> Ares II: a bit better bass control and I guess, that's all. Many feel it’s a sound that more recent chip-based Delta-Sigma DAC designs can’t match. If the record is bad, it’s sound bad whereas delta sigma chip tend to attenuate that. oulihz ikgasrw zshtr fgihx nswh rxpq yis lluxz jydgvp pjjod