DENAFRIPS DAC ---- Owner Impressions, Feedback, General Discussion, Questions and more....
Thread for OWNER IMPRESSIONS, FEEDBACK, QUESTIONS, ETC. regarding DENAFRIPS DACs.
DENAFRIPS lists the following R2R DACs:
Ares, Pontus, Venus, and Terminator (in increasing price order).
"DENAFRIPS incorporated in year 2012, focus in developing high end audio equipment at a very affordable price. Throughout the years of intense Research & Development, and continuous improvement of the product lines, DENAFRIPS had finally settled with the current product range equipped with R-2R ladder DAC technology. The reason behind this is the designer strongly believe that R-2R DAC is the best way to reproduce music.
Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions, I guess I was hoping someone had actually tried some PCs with the Ares.
Almost on a whim, I ended up buying a Supra LoRad 2.5 CS-US PC.
It cleared some high end hash that I had not noticed was there. The result is blacker blacks in the background, making the low level detail easier to hear.
I am blown away at how good the Ares is. I would not have guessed such low level resolution could come out of my LRS speakers. Also there is a huge amount of space between instruments, of which each has it's own space and almost sounds illuminated from within.
My personal advice stick with AQ power cords and AQ in general, Minimal coloration, dead neutral and clean power. I have 2 firebird source and firebird high current. Those are very expensive i know, but even much lower grade cables will give excellent results. The best thing would be to get a bunch of demo cables if you have a nice dealer around and try yourself ))
I received my new Terminator DSP board today. I've plugged it in and have been listening to it for a short while. Specifically, I'm listening/ watching a movie that I'm very familiar with and use as one of my test tracks. Right out of the box my impressions coincide with what others have stated: greater clarity and focus; in a sense digging deeper into the recording offering greater three dimensionality and relief or separation which in turn is revealing more detail -- background vocals and sounds are more distinct/audible. Finally with greater separation & focus the dynamic contrast is heightened.
I'm running a Denon 3910 via a high quality SPDIF/RCA cable (coax) and using the NOS setting. Also, since others have reported issues with the optical input, I have hooked that up as well to test it and it is working fine for me -- no issues -- sounds great as well.
A deep dive into the audio closet, a rediscovered OPPO 105, and a few hours later another test of the Optical Input into the NEW DSP board. Same issues / problems as when fed an Optical Digital signal from the OPPO.
Alvin asked me to check the Coax Input. Since I only have Optical and HDMI ARC on the Samsung, I tested the Coax out from the OPPO and it works fine.
As mentioned earlier, the Optical Input of the Original Board works perfectly.
For those WITH / OR getting the new DSP board, a few points:
1. If you are A/B’ing with the original board, give the original board at least an hour to come into song. Based on what I’m hearing, I recommend a minimum of 3 hours with 5 hours being ideal.
In other words, if you are planning a quick A/B you will not hear the original board at it’s best. I have 7+ hours of play time on the original board, as of now...if I notice any additional improvements, I’ll post accordingly.
Please note: my original board was "out" for 3 days. I can’t speak to times, if your original board is out longer.
2. I have not swapped in the new board, NOR is mine fully run in...therefore, I can not advise on the hours required for it to come on ’song’ once it is fully broken in, dependant on time "out" of system of course.
3. When you swap in the original board, make sure it is fully ’seated.’ When I removed my original board (to swap in the new board), I noticed there was very light "play" in the ’seating.’
Listening to the original board, completely / fully seated, has been a revelation. : )
[Note: as of this point in time I am only using USB in, NOS setting for my comparisons]
A brewing thunderstorm allowed for a temporary system shut down. I took the opportunity to re-test the Optical Input sound prior to powering off. Same issues as last night.
Since my system was down, I went ahead and swapped the original Amanero USB / DSP board back in and now have the system up and playing.
Not a single glitch with the Optical Input based Sound (performance and quality) using the original board.
One other customer has reported the same to Alvin. I also use a Samsung (a 2018 flagship model) and it is set to PCM, as it was with the former board. I immediately checked audio output settings once I heard the problem. I also checked different sources via Optical, same issue. At this point, it appears to be isolated to some boards. I will re-test prior to swapping out the board. My concern is driver damage at the speakers. Putting the old board back in will inform as well.
I have a Samsung tv on a wheeled stand and I bring it in the middle sometime to watch TV using my main stereo system, of course using optical. Its working 100% with new DSP. I don't know your problem exactly, but from experience, DT will only decode stereo. If output from your TV was not set to PCM you might hear loud crackling noises if i remember correctly. If its another issue, might be related specifically to the board you have in hand. My experience has been flawless
Hi @saleh84 Thanks for the additional information and clarification. I understand the excitement...believe me... The new DSP board is excitement inducing... : )
Importantly, Mr. Ebaen concurs with your findings!
I ran into a problem last night when I ran Optical Out (for the first time) from my TV to the Terminator. I've discussed it with Alvin and he is having Denafrips investigate and address.
I'll be swapping in the former board (this evening) which will allow for my first A/B. This will be at 50 hours of runtime on the board via the USB input.
[Note: I've been evaluating the new board via the USB input only, with the exception of the one time via Optical]
Hi @david_ten , it was my quick 10 hours mark over view at head fi. I did realize that sound might change during break in, but the findings were exciting that I had to share them :) also, DT caps and ladder dac resistors were already broken in. i assume the effect of the DSP components will be minimal compared to the whole unit break in, which as I recall was a bit long - I stopped hearing changes in sound back then at about 1000 hours mark!
well for the new DSP, its past 300 hours mark for sure, more like 350 hours. I can't add much beside that I'm loving my terminator even more and glad that I made this choice over other options at that time, the DSP board dissipated any doubts I had about DT technical abilities, which it was in the back of my head at times.
what I did actually notice compared to what I remember at that 10 hours mark, there was a slight hint of harshness that I usually associate with most new components. its completely gone now. all good things that we got more of with the new DSP, like 3D, separation, tonality and transparency remain same if not improved ever so slightly. honestly I was very happy with results out of box that i was not on a mission to focus on day to day changes, so this is probably my only comments that I'm sure off. things became smoother with initial "slight" harshness/sharpness completely gone.
worth mentioning that I have added during this time an AQ thunderbird bass cable, for a true bi-wire. it is said that this should enhance the purity of highs and mids, with less distortion over all. so I can't tell for sure (like 100% sure) if the cable had nothing to do with the additional smoothness I witnessed.
Early impressions, now that I have over 30 hours of playtime on the DAC and over 40 hours of energized time on it:
First, I concur with what others have shared based on their own early impressions (mainly on Head Fi): The presentation is Clearer / Cleaner and with greater Clarity than the fully-run-in previous board.
Second, there has been variance in the sound as well as progression (in a good way) as the unit breaks in. Therefore, I’ll hold off on my other findings until I have over 100 hours of playtime on the DAC / new USB/DSP board.
Third, the sound signature of the new board departs enough from the previous board, for me to label it as ’significant,’ at least in terms of making a decision on one vs. the other.
Fourth, the write-up that was linked earlier in this thread [at the 10 hour point] is too early for an evaluation, in my opinion. Hopefully the author will follow-up with another quick review once he has many more hours on the board. The changes and progression I’m hearing is why my feedback above is very limited, at this point in time.
[PLEASE NOTE: I am only using the USB input and I am only using NOS mode, at this time]
One thing to point out: My streaming system is Linux based, which meant an immediate (driver-less) handshake [same for Mac]. Those with Windows systems will need to load the Thesycon USB driver.
Here is a link to Technical Highlights and Specifications [from Denafrips]:
Just installed the New DSP board for the Terminator DAC. It took under 5 minutes to do so. Less than ten minutes from powering off to powering back on with the new DSB board.
The USB connection and handshake with Roon took immediately.
This is as simple as an install gets. I’m now playing music with the new board in, all in under ten minutes!!!
I’ll report back as I get some hours on the new board. First listen is very promising...and is different than the old board.
Here is the link from Denafrips / Alvin of Vinshine Audio to walk you through the board install.
I saw both Steve's video and read the High Fidelity review and was surprised on how taken both were with the Ares. High Fidelity gave it a Red Fingerprint award which indicates high value for the price.
Hello guys, It has been a very busy month, I’m overwhelmed! Thank you for your strong support! We strive to serve you even better, we’re now available to chat over Whatsapp/Wechat.
I love the review and video, Steve G. is a class-act; calm and collected. Unlike some reviewers on YouTube, who can’t seem to keep their emotions in check 🤪
Ares is an incredible value for anyone considering a solid performer under $1K.
I have to admit I'm now in the 'amazed' camp in terms of how impressed I am with it's continued upward (performance) mobility and how well it continues to scale.
All traits of R2R Multibit dac conversion with PCM. We were really led astray when they stopped making them because of cost. And in place introduced far cheaper to make 1 bit, bitstream, Mash, ect ect ect all Delta Sigma dacs and able to convert sacd and dsd.
I think sacd came out not long after the demise of R2R dacs that couldn't convert it. Was this more a marketing exercise to get rid of expensive to produce R2R and introducing cheaper Delta Sigma???
I've been using the Denafrips Terminator in a new 'system' chain for the past month.
I have to admit I'm now in the 'amazed' camp in terms of how impressed I am with it's continued upward (performance) mobility and how well it continues to scale.
New speakers. New amp. New preamp. New analog cables.
Seems like the Venus product is a combination of a Terminator DAC front end with a rewired Terminator face plate put into a Pontus chassis case with a Pontus power supply. The Terminator has 2 more I2S inputs than the Pontus/Venus. The Pontus/Venus share a common weight of 8.5kG and common S/N ratio and dynamic range, whereas the Terminator has a weight of 19kG and better S/N ratio and dynamic range specs. Terminator seems to have a better chassis and far beefier P/S.
And why the company opted to use the word “Reserval” instead of “Phase” for the Pontus/Venus face plates is a mystery.
I have been using a Denafrips Terminator for a few months now and to say I am pleased is an understatement.
Up until I bought the Denafrips, I was using a Metrum Octave Mk II R2R DAC and I liked it but it was the weak link in my system. It was the least expensive piece, even my speaker cables cost more, so it wasn't up to the level of the rest of my system. In my quest for a new DAC a Denafrips came up for sale and it was a few hours away and the reviews were good so I went and purchased it. It wasn't possible to audition so I went on faith.
Brought it home and hooked it up and the difference between the Metrum was night and day. To me, the music just opened up, it was good before but now I knew I could never go back. To be fair the price difference between the DAC's is at least three fold if not more. It was at this point where I finally could say I was finished the search for audio equipment. Truly I am done.
Others have described the sound of this DAC in more detail and I am not one of those guys that can do that. It either sounds right or it doesn't. I don't need hours to make that determination. The Terminator was one of those pieces that just sounded right.
For those who are interest my system is as follows: Aurender N100H music server, Denafrips Terminator, Herron Line Stage, Herron Mono Blocks, Tetra 606 speakers. Cabling and power cords by Audio Sensibility Statement series, TEO Game Changer IC's and Audio Quest Cinnamon USB. I also use Audio Points under my speakers. Argentum Acoustic Power Bar and Hubble receptacle. Focal Elear headphones and Lehmann Audio headphone amplifier.
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