Denafrips Ares II vs MHDT Orchid

Love my Orchid.

@jjss49 Funny you mention sibilance issues because I found this discussion again after searching for a fix. I was teetering on upgrading the Ares II with a Pontus II or the Orchid and moving the Ares to a second system of mine.

I listen to my speakers at 1.6m away from the tweeters. I am on a desktop here, but i have a pretty large desk. I feel like I hear every single nuance to a song, but with that present some issues from the Ares II. Using the Doge 10 MK3 as my amplifier as well. I’m keeping an eye on the used market for an Orchid. Appreciate your response. Wish I would’ve seen it earlier.

Denafrips Ares II MHDT Orchid AN Border Patrol Leaning towards the Orchid at the moment, with the Ares II very close.

mycardstatement

to me the orchid is superior, more musical overall

the ares 2 had a persistent sibilance problem, despite trying different connections and settings

the orchid does not present detail in as forward a manner, but it has a more analog quality to its sound, which is richer, smoother, more full -- btw the orchid allows tube rolling, and using tube adapters, a very wide range of tubes can be used in the buffer section, to further shape the sound to be sweeter, or more transparent/impactful etc etc

for these reasons, i have kept my mhdt dacs and sold the ares long ago

There is only one authorized seller for the Denafrips Ares II and that is Vinshine Audio. The Ares II is available from them for 1100 Singapore dollars, which is about $800 USD, shipped. Easy, peasy.

Looks like Amazon had a seller from China that was verified when I clicked on "view all buying options."

Amazon is the easiest retailer to purchase from due to the return policy. Done deal. Lets see if the Denafrips fits the bill. 

I'll update the thread if anyone is interested....in about a month. 

If the Denafrips is roughly $800 shipped I cannot find it. There are only a few sites that list it and all roughly 1100 shipped (to US) aside from 1 source.

I think you can get the Denefrips for just a hair over $800 new.