So, I have a Musician Pegasus that shares a lot of DNA with the Pontus ll. I got a Denafrips Iris to be able to take advantage of the i2S input, and there was a vast improvement over using USB, and that was using a cheap 6” HDMI cable from Monoprice. It’s not a cheap upgrade but totally worth it given the sonic improvements. Just my $0.02 FWIW.
Denafrips Pontus 12th Anniversary
Greetings
I’ve been considering moving up from my Ares ii to a Pontus ii and there have been a few of them coming up on the pre-owned market lately.
Now I’m seeing that Vinshine is offering the Pontus 12th version and there’s not a whole lot of info about what is improved on it.
Sounds like some power supply improvements and also some gold plated screws?
Has anyone heard the new Pontus 12th or know any specifics about how it compares to the Pontus ii? What are the improvements, if any?
Pre-owned Pontus ii’s are selling for about $250 less than a brand new 12th. (At least in the U.S.) So not a huge savings. Plus there’s shipping .., I can’t remember if Vinshine charges shipping.
Thanks in advance
JS
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I’ve bought two Denafrips DACs new (Venus 2 and Terminator plus) and they definitely settle in after some use, but certainly not a dramatic night and day. They have always sounded good out of the box.
I run mine on OS fast filter, very hard to tell a difference between fast and slow OS in my experience. NOS sounds more analog but loses detail and air. Lastly, I really like the AES output versus the others. Bass is more full, sounds more natural, and has just as much of everything else as USB. |
@christianb5s4 I'd love to try the aes input, or any other actually, but lack a player with those outputs.
@ozzy62 I'm glad the DAC is moving in a consensual direction. I'd love to hear your thoughts on break in, if you'd care to share them.
@soix The DDC route is interesting, if only to utilize the I2S input, honestly. Some people swear that it's an improvement. Some have said it makes things sound too clinical. Since I'm not certain that I'm keeping the Pontus 12th, it's not a move I'd consider yet, but I'm glad you've had success with you, and would love to hear you detail what differences you notice using the Iris, in any detail you can afford.
I had the day off today, spending all day listening to it, and the sound has been changing still, but not as dramatically. Mostly in treble emphasis. But it mostly sounds good, and for moments, amazing. |
Background became much clearer, and imaging separation and soundstage improved. In general, clarity went up significantly and haze I didn’t know was there was removed. It was not a small improvement. This was compared to SPDIF BTW — I didn’t get to try AES/EBU. |
@backgroundblur Be patient, my Venus II took 500 hours at least until the magic happened. (It sounded edgy and highly detailed until it warmed in the midrange and the edginess disappeared, bass got much better too.) If getting a DDC I suggest the Hermes, more options for future inputs, better clock. I run a Venus II and Hermes with Intusik Argentus I2S. |
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