Vinshine/Alibaba..What to buy and where?

I just got into streaming over a year ago. I started off with Qutest then RME with Teddy Pardo power supply. I preferred the RME over the Qutest I’m sure others feel the opposite. I then bought a used Pontus.

I prefer the Pontus, more musical better sound stage but sometimes miss the crystal clear clarity of the RME.  I had borrowed a friends Aries to try while I owned the RME and preferred the RME but enjoyed the soundstage more on the Aries.

I would suggest a Denafrips over a Chord Qutest or RME ADI -2.

I know many who are over the moon with their Gustard R26.

I bought from Alvin.

Advantage of knowing the product was genuine.

Also returned last week, and got a refund. Doubt I could do that with Aliexpress.

One more vote for Alvin from Vinshine audio. I was in the exact same predicament, and for a few bucks less on AliExpress. I talked to Alvin, or at least I emailed him, there’s just a trust factor there... I ended up buying my components from Alvin for a few more percentage points. Just came down to I didn't want to worry.

Aliexpress is hit or miss and good Lucke trying to return something to them.

be very very careful with alibaba -- it is truly the wild west, so to speak (in the east of course lol)... i would rather buy off of ebay than alibaba... if a seller on alibaba sends you blatantly fake sh*t you are totally at their mercy if you are in the usa or canada

I bought a Denafrips Pontus 12 anniversary last month from Vinshine. I could not be more pleased with it. I think the brand and supplier are worth the extra expense. Chinese counterfeit goods are a real problem. Why take the risk? If one wants to get a cheaper price, buy a second hand unit from someone who can prove they bought it new from Vinshine.

Buy from Vinshine.  Alvin runs a great business and takes care of Denafrips owners. As to what to buy, I think the Ares 2 is a fantastic DAC, especially with the latest firmware.

Although I moved on from the one Denafrips DAC that I owned, and have mixed feelings about the company, Alvin of Vinshine provided superb customer service, and I would recommend that option without hesitation.

Anything from the Alibaba site is NOT an official Vinshine product. There are many knock off products out in the wild, wild, East. Lots of mass production where excess is sold off to unscrupulous competitors. Buyer beware.

All the best,
Nonoise

I’ve read mixed reviews about buying from Alibaba and nothing but high praise for Vinshine. Then again, you can get the 12th anniversary from AliExpress for close to the same price as the base Ares ll at Vinshine. Tough choice.  Oh, and given your sonic preferences I think the Ares ll or 12th Anniversary is your boy over the others.  Best of luck.