Denafrips Ares ii

Contrary to the many people here, I don't like the SQ of Ares II.

I had one loan home and it sounded nasal and compressed vs my McIntosh C47.

Best input is via USB.  I encountered some buggy signal dropout using coax, need to toggle the inputs to kind of "reset" the bug.  SQ is ok-ish for coax.

Personal preference is OS mode, NOS mode sounded a bit rough to my ears.

Recently I bought a little toy to play and I find it beats the hell out of Ares II, SMSL D1, Gustard X26 and Topping D90.  I can highly recommend it, and it is much cheaper.  If you can access into taobao.com this is a good buy.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.18.3ddd334912AVon&id=671511806448&ns=1&abbucket=3#detail

I tried to insert image but this forum doesn't allow, implementation is strange, can only insert URL where the pic is.

Anyway, this Yiniu WD6 runs on 4 x PCM1794, comes with XLR output and RCA,  and you can roll opamp with it.  Max out at 24/192, basic DAC with no MQA/Roon/ etc.  I'm having lots of fun trying out different opamps ATM.  LM49990 (single converted to dual opamp config) and OPA1656 are very good. 😄

Honestly this review and comparison makes me think you heard a damaged Ares or had problems elsewhere in your system.

Honestly if such comment is true, then all low end dacs compared to higher end dacs are damaged, and higher end system are problematic. Hahahaha

On a serious note, for the money of the Ares II, personally, I’ll be willing give this one a shot instead. Dual WM8741, comes with AES digital input and XLR/RCA outputs.

Or alternatively, this one from taobao.com. Dual 9038 Pro, XLR/RCA outputs, BT capable. Options to select femto clock version or femto clock with II2S input. At half the price of Ares II.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.16.51986380tMqNn2&id=600300953359&ns=1&abbucket=7#detail

So if anyone here understand Chinese, Taobao offers a very big range of brands and configs to choose from, and range of prices too.

One question I have for you Denafrips DAC owners, from top to bottom.

I have heard it said numerous times about lengthy break in-burn in.

Have any of you noticed any such additional need of "waking up", if for say you unplugged this unit for a day or week?

Does the degree of the quality of sound depend on being powered, or in standby continuously?

Like it's a Krell FPB-600 or Tube Gear-etc?

@markd51

Does the degree of the quality of sound depend on being powered, or in standby continuously?

I used to put mine in stand-by, but recently have just left it on. Nothing really to go bad by doing so unused.

I spin mostly vinyl, but can’t say I’ve realized any real ‘warm up’ time when awakening it from stand-by.