DENAFRIPS DAC ---- Owner Impressions, Feedback, General Discussion, Questions and more....

I purchased a new Denafrips Terminator with the new updated board from Alvin at Vinshine Audio in June of this year.  Alvin provided exceptional service in that purchase.  I have owned several high end dacs including Berkeley, Bricasti, and PS Audio.  In my system using the HDMI I2S from my Musica Pristina server, the Terminator just stomps the other dacs that I have had in my system.  It is so detailed and yet so easy to listen to.  I just never get fatigued with listening for hours.  The music just blooms!  I am am very highly pleased after months of ownership!  I know that digital changes rapidly, but I may very well be done.  I have absolutely no desire to upgrade at this point.

Though only I listened to it through youtube with my earphones on, the Terminator is the one I’d like to have in my system. it’s a musical beast, that’s for sure.

I bought a Denafrips Ares 2 dac some 5 weeks ago and thought I would post my findings to maybe assist the inquisitive amongst us.
I do all of my listening through speakers and the dac is left on always.
For critical listening I would recomend that running for at least 300 hrs before the sound improves and maybe 500 hrs before making a true evaluation. It may sound overly punchy and bass heavy until run in.
It was used with a detailed source and neutral  cable feeding the Ares 2 before connecting again with same neutral cable into a warm/meaty amplifier. The speakers are small bookshelf capable of high resolution.
My worry after early initial impressions were that my set up (matching) might be a little bit rich. After running in the sound became more detailed,spacious with a better tonality to the bass. To my ears far more balanced. I was pleased because then I knew it was a keeper and my old dac would be sold.
The settings on the dac are a noticeable nice touch. I settled with the nos/warm as my default. It suited my set up best.
If describing the dac sound...I would say it has a warm rhythmical signature and is very easy to live with. System matching with detailed / highly resolving components should work just okay.  Careful not to over egg the pudding with too rich a mix.
Great little dac for the money. Came in at just under £700 u.k (after paying duty)
It's certainly not overawed when used with more expensive company, and sounds far more cohesive (lifelike/musical) than more expensive equipment I have owned.

@garn63   Thanks for sharing your findings on the Ares 2 in your system. As you say...  

Great little dac for the money.

Owner write-up on the Pontus DAC...

https://www.denafrips.com/single-post/2019/12/01/Music-with-body-and-space?utm_campaign=95d7654c-612b-49f0-abba-971e85bfa2b6&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=6a6bbfad-aefa-4c9d-9edc-f0321a709747