Ok thanks jjss49! I didn't know you owned the AN 4.1 dac. That's out of my budget. I might inquire about the SW1x dac that are similar to to AN. Btw from Ares II to Pontus II do you lose warmth of Ares for Pontus resolution? Or is Pontus more of everything that Ares offers including a better treble performance?
I am narrowing it down to Pontus II and AN 0.1x or SW1x dac 1 special. Both those dacs use the Phillips TDA 1543 chip with a tube inside. My question is can those units sound as full and resolute as the Pontus?
Ok thanks jjss49! I will probably stick with Pontus II. So for sure with Pontus II you don't trade resolution with less warmth compared to Ares II? I read most reviews like Calvin Hobbes and of course your impressions it's a win win but only one review on Twittering Machines hints Pontus II gives more resolution but at the expense of sounding less analog like Ares II! Would you agree?
I wouldn't doubt it navyachts! My Ares II handlily displaced Chord Qutest. So price is not always indicator of quality of sound. But I keep writing tests have to conducted level matched and not knowing which dac is in the chain when auditioning.
Yes true jjss49! Someone reported that listen to TT2 and Mscaler and actually prefer Pontus II! That's how I feel when I compare my Ares II to my Qutest. Qutest had a bit more resolution but overall sound thin on my system. I wonder if due to the external wall power supply plug. Thanks for all your help! I will be taking the leap later this week!
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