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.
Greetings!
We will be rolling out the FPGA firmware update by stages. Ares II / Enyo will be the first, follows by Pontus II and so on.
Notes:
1. The FPGA firmware update is for all DENAFRIPS DACs with the latest FPGA BGA chip.
2. It does not apply to the older DSP (Amanero, released in 2017-2019). If you have a DENAFRIPS DAC purchased after 2020, in general, it is upgradable.
3. The firmware update fixes some bugs, and enhance the sound quality for all digital inputs
4. The firmware update changes the NOS response to what Vinshine Audio believes it's NOS (Raw, Staircase Waveform output for 44.1kHz / 48kHz)
Reduced the effect of Buffer overrun/underrun due to the Source's Clock and the DAC's Clock differences
Reduced Audio Latency
*Eliminate Phase Difference between L/R Channels
Optimised DSP to improve the sonic performance
Steps:
1. Identify the FPGA chip used in the DAC
2. Submit a FPGA Firmware Request via the webform found in the link below
3. Vinshine Audio shall provide a Firmware Update Tool (FUT) specifically made for the particular FPGA chip and DAC model
4. Use a Mac or Windows computer to update the firmware as detailed in the link below
Hi any recommendations for a headphone amplifier to be paired with the denafrips Ares 2? So far my options are the headamp gsx mini and the audio gd master 19.
I love the bass on my hifiman 5se paired currently with the ruler Neve rnhp.
Reason of upgrading to so that I can upgrade my h3adphonesinfuture so was thinking of "future-proofing" the head amp, but I'm quotes set on my Ares.
I just spent the past few days listening to a Terminator v1 DAC w/upgraded DSP and WIMA caps. I also have an SW1X Level 3 Special NOS tube DAC. I stream from an Auralic Aries G1. I send the signal via AES/EBU to the terminator and coax to the SW1X. I level match the volume on the relative inputs on my Audio-GD HE1 XLR preamp. Then I can a/b toggle between dacs on the same tracks in real time.
I am very impressed with the Terminator dac. It is so close to the SW1X that sometimes I couldn’t tell a difference. I think overall the SW1X is slightly more fleshed out in the micro dynamics. Voices are just a hair more real sounding. Bass just a breath more texture. But it is so close. The Terminator hits slightly harder and goes deeper in the bass. The Terminator also gets the tiniest advantage in soundstage. Imaging is basically a draw. If I had to keep one dac it would likely be the terminator. The reason for this is it has more inputs, nos and os modes and two filters, just more flexibility. The other reason is the SW1X now sells for about $9000 USD. I got the Terminator for $2800. Amazing value. I could sell the SW1X likely for double what I paid for the Terminator. Love the SW1X so we’ll see what the future brings.
Other DACs I’ve had recently include the Berkeley Alpha Series 1 MQA, Lampizator Atlantic SE+, PS Audio Directstream and Directstream Jr., Exogal Comet (very underrated), and some built in Sabre dacs from some integrated amps I’ve had. The SW1X is the pinnacle for me, but the Terminator is nipping on its heels.
I just bought a used Terminator 2 from another longtime audiogoner. Once I set it up (scheduled delivery 12/28) I will compare it to my all-time favorite DAC, Luxman DA-06, that has stood the test of time and sound quality against many a DACs at various price points. I really have high hopes for the Terminator. Will share my impressions in a week or two.
@abd1I just came across your OP thread that provides much more detail. Feel free to PM me to continue the discussion off thread. I've used the strikethrough function, for my earlier post.
I cannot help you with your question since I did not compare the two models.
My feedback, therefore, is general.
I’ve learned it is far better to stretch one’s budget and get what will serve you over the longer term.
If I was in your position, I’d choose the original Terminator with the latest board OR wait for a used Terminator II listing.
All the best in your choice, whatever that ends up being.
@jl1nyI understand. I'm guessing, but is this regarding downloading and installing the Thesycon USB Driver? If so, instructions are on the 'Get Support' FAQ page, linked below.
Reach out to Vinshine Audio if you need them to walk you through it.
I do have pal with a laptop who could assist but It’s my understanding that if you eff-up the upgrade, you’ll brick the unit. Hence my apprehension about winging it.
@kingdeezie If you search for Terminator 'burn in' or 'break in' you'll likely find feedback that addresses your question (including within this thread).
@jl1ny Can you find a friend who can help you? The videos and instructions are fairly straightforward.
I’m stuck in the stone age when it comes to computer tech stuff. I’m looking for a solution other than DIY for updating the firmware on my Terminator. Think a service like geek squad would be capable?
i received my Pontus II last week and listened over the long weekend. Sounded excellent out of the gate. I have had it running 24/7 since Sunday night so it should have a good amount of hours on it now. I plan to listen again tonight and hopefully things are even better now.
If you're concerned about price increases, check out some of Chord's price increases. Looks like their "Cutest" dac went from $1698 to $1945. That's a fairly large increase for a design That's several years old now.
Has anyone experienced a tumultuous break-in process?
I purchased a Denafrips Terminator II last month. I plugged it in and the first time listening to it I was very encouraged by the sound.
What I should have done is hooked everything up right and let music play for 7-10 days. Instead I was lazy and just used it intermittently for 10 hours or so over a period of a few weeks.
This weekend the sound wasn't great. The midrange seemed overly warm/veiled and the highs were all over the place.
I finally hooked up everything as it should be and have been running it 24/7 since Sunday.
Anyone else notice changes during the first 100 hours?
FYI for those considering Denafrips products...From Vinshine Audio:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRICE INCREASE
Date: 1st December, 2021
"Greetings from all of us at Vinshine Audio (Singapore)!
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and global economy outlook, the cost such as raw materials, electronics, components, and shipping has increased.
Please be rest assured that we did everything we could to avoid raising the prices. However, the situation has continued, there is no sign of slowing down. Unfortunately, we will have no choice but to adjust our pricing to reflect the increased cost. It is unprecedented. The new pricing will take effect on 13th December 2021, 00:00hr Singapore Time.
Any order placed before 13th December 2021, 00:00hr, will be honoured at the lower prices. We highly encourage you to place an order today.
The increase helps us ensure our commitment to providing the very best products and services for our customers. As always, we appreciate your business and continued support."
@jackiejr I'd check with Alvin at Vinshine to be absolutely sure. @alvin1118
I remember my Terminator's I2S input being configurable. I do not know if the Pontus II is or is not; AND whether the configuration can be setup to be compatible with your Project CDT.
"Overall the T+ is a world class DAC. Alone, it produces a liveness and a palpable realism that just a few short years ago would have seemed impossible at any price. I don’t really know how to describe the refinement of that amazing performance made possible by the addition of the Gaia D-to-D. But all I can say is that whatever magic the T+ is bringing to the table with it’s incredible performance, the Gaia takes that magic and turns it into sorcery!"
Please note that the v5.20.0 (and above) supports Windows 10 onwards. Operating systems such as Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are not longer supported due to Microsoft discontinued vendor signing.
The latest licensed Thesycon Driver (For Windows PC) v5.27.0 is available to download here."
Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC reviewed by SoundStage! Hi-Fi
"Denafrips has hit one out of the park. It’s now clear how they’ve built a loyal following in less than a decade. After many weeks of very enjoyable listening sessions, the Terminator-Plus proved a distinct step up in sound quality from my Bryston BDA-2 DAC in every regard."
Denafrips Terminator Plus review by Christiaan Punter / HFA / HiFi-Advice:
"This DAC is simply without flaws. It sets the standard not only at its retail price but it’s one of the finest DACs that I have heard irrespective of the cost. Whether or not you will like its super-transparent and ultra-precise rendering of the music is a personal matter but I will say that it’s rare for an audio component with such extreme levels of precision to remain refined and nuanced while also being musically appealing and emotionally engaging. Direct competitors in order of ascending retail prices are the Mola Mola Tambaqui, the Aqua Formula xHD, and the CH Precision C1. All three offer different facilities and provide different tonal- and spatial presentations. But these differences are not nearly as large as one might suspect based on the cost. Most impressively, none of the other DACs manage greater levels of transparency, detail retrieval, or overall precision."
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