Denafrips Terminator II 12th anniversary VS. Terminator PLUS 12th anniversary

I have the T2 12th running with a Mini Zen 3 and LPS, my understanding is the mini with the LPS is about 90% of the Zen Mk 3. The synergy of the mini/LPs with the T2 is very good. Big soundstage on depth height and width, instrument placement is exceptional, very warm weighty sound,and amazing layering,  far exceeds my Eversolo T2 combination. The T2 12 is a killer Dac, I’ve never heard had a T+ for comparison unfortunately. It also seemed to me the premium for the T+ was too much for for what it brings over the T2 12. Many times the price for the top isn’t warranted by performance levels, I’m extremely happy with my T2 and it really loves the Innuos sound. I think you’ll love the Zen MK 3 with the T2 12.

I have the Pontus ll as well and have the same Terminator questions.

@toneranger58 Thanks for the info! Yeah, I am struggling to see what premium the + offers over the T2 that warrants that big of a price jump. Some hand-selected parts and a new faceplate seems like a bad deal. But, if it made a big difference in the sound when compared between the two then perhaps it could be justified.

Good to hear that it sounds great with the innuos gear. I have a Zen now, but may end up upgrading to a pulsar in the future. I got the zen + pontus II to get a somewhat entryish level streaming setup to see how I liked it and if I ended up using it often enough to warrant investing in nicer components, and sure enough - I have been using it quite a bit to supplement vinyl. Lot of modern music doesn't sound the best on vinyl unless it's specifically mastered for it, so being able to queue up on Qobuz and utilize that has been very nice.

Anyway - thanks for the info!

Hopefully there's someone out there that has listened to both and can give some feedback on the comparison.

@curiousjim Ditto.

I emailed Alvin at Vinshine Audio to bring this thread to his attention so that he will hopefully respond.

Thanks for the headsup, Bill!

The Terminator II / Plus 12th DAC is a great choice! Can't go wrong with either.

(Sorry, my salesman hat was on)

Let me take this opportunity to explain the differences between the TPlus and TII.

The differences between the Terminator II and Plus, the Terminator Plus comes with premium offering of:

• Aluminum anodized curvy front panel
• Precision, hand-picked, premium OCXO
• Hand-picked R-2R board

Essentially, the Terminator II DAC is a trickle down of the more expensive TPlus. In my opinion, it sounds very close to the TPlus, and most of the serious audiophiles will be very happy with the TII DAC. It ticks most of the audiophile 'boxes', if I may put it this way.

Hope this clarifies things!

Many thanks,

Alvin Chee

Vinshine Audio

Now you don’t have to  worry the New Terminstor Gen-15  now has the exact Terminator +  ocxo oven controlled shielded sealed clock s  a few capacitor difference is now the only difference  they are very close now for much less $ monies , next year a Terminator + Gen -15 will be coming out  

the new Terminator Gen-15 is the way to go , vs the Holo springs May KTE 

the new Terminator Gen- 15 has a bitt more depth of image and slightly warmer .

the KTE ifyou like more neutral.

@audioman58 I was wondering how you are aware of Denafrips future product releases.

Are you a Denafrips dealer?

If so, you should disclose your relationship to make it clear as other dealers/reps do.

Yes I have owned many dacs and in a Very large Audio club and having owned a Audiostore until 2015 and before in the U.K after Alvin left I reached out As. 4 decade Audiophile Denafrips had no representation  now I do I  show retail pricing 

but offer attractive pricing when emailed through my advert Audioman58 email 

address. Without hesitation the 12th was not a upgrade much imo 

the Gen-15 dacs much better ,the new engineering decided to move most  models

to the next upper model , Thst is how I know I own the new Pontus Gen15 

and Terminator and  compared with the older 12th anniversary , a noticable increase in resolution and soundstage width and depth,if you look at the terminator pages it even showed Terminator Plus on the shielded isolated Dual oven Clocks.

@audioman58 you need to make this disclaimer so members here know your bias and that you are a dealer. Even @audiotroy is doing that in their signature. It is the ethical thing to do. 

I am a Denafrips online Dealers , the New Terminator Gen-15  is the Terminator 12+ ,as well as the New  Pontus 15 is = to the Venus 12th 

the Venus is discontinued a new Venus 15 coming out next month 

the Terminator is Identical even on the most critical part of the dac The Ultra precision shielded encapsulated Dual Oven ⏰ Clocks are the same it says right on the clocks Terminator plus look in the ad I just took these close up pictures this week to the terminator on top of my rack and compared them to a Audiophile in our
large Audiophile club , Exact.  Where the 12th was not a valid upgrade IMO ,upgrade IEC ,better silver wiring and transformers a bit better . The Gen 15. is a evolutionary upgrade, the New engineers thought the Enyo, Ares worth the upgrades , the Pontus,stepped into the Venus , and Terminator to the plus ,a great strategic move and save $1000s in engineering costs ,and the buyer benefits ,at least the ones who are technical ,that is why I pointed this out. next year maybe a Terminator 15+ , at the moment the Terminator Gen-15 is the current flagship it says so on their website  I am using this with a Gaia and or Hermes DDC trying to see if it’s worth the extra $500 for the Gaia  .maybe 2-3% better Maybe. I hope that helps .