I've had both dacs in my system for a few weeks and decided to keep the orchid. to me the orchid simply sounds more cohesive. what i think i am missing with orchid compared to pontus (air, detail etc) sounded artificial to me. my speakers are altec horns based and is already full of air and detail so probably didn't need help in that department. the pontus could probably use another week or two of burn in but i am just happy with the orchid.
MHDT Orchid v Denafrips Pontus
I've had an Orchid in my system for going on 3 years now. It's a great DAC, does exactly what I bought it for, which is present music in a natural, non-fatiguing way. I've tube rolled with it, used a couple of different digital cables, one of which did provide slightly more detail (Audio Art D-1SE2). I'm Denafrips curious though and would like to see if someone has had both. From reviews, I'm wondering if the Pontus would keep all of that R2R goodness and present more detail than the Orchid. Thanks!
Showing 5 responses by viggen
@ericsch the same tube you have WE 396A. just last night i ordered the 6922 to 5670 adapter that is talked about in the orchid tube rolling thread to try out 6922 tubes. ordered an amperex to try out. @audiewww i left it on for 3 straight weeks and left the music playing through most nights. my theory is it will burn in faster if you give the R2R resistors signal so to keep it physically moving. ime, it sounded great on day 1 (which led me to sell my other two dacs Ares2 and D90MQA) but took a nose dive during the first week. then, it gradually got better during week 2 and 3. also did the chassis tweak which did unstress the mids and highs. |
thanks for the feedback on the amperex, @audiewww. i don't really need more warmth.. i bought a second hand HDPlex 300 and previous owner installed a SR Orange fuse. it's powering a LTA MZ2, my audio PC and Matrix H element. sound is much smoother/warmer as result amongst other improvements. was hoping for more of what i am missing from pontus... more extension and soundstage... at least that's what some users reported getting after installing 6922 into orchid... also have an Orange for the Orchid en route.. it's a 1A fuse tho... but, after i placed order, i read grannyring recommends 1.6A.. sigh |
@audiewww yup seen those on ebuy. contemplating on swapping the R chips for a S1 chip in the orchid after I am done with all the other upgrades... i think i read some positive reviews on headfi regarding the toucan. |