I heard both of this unit, if you prefer tubes the orchid is the way to go . I own denafrips Ares I feel is as good as orchid only it’s a solid state.i feel the orchid has 3D and more refine, but the Ares has more slam and quicker, Vocal even, Iam using viva tube amp 300B,audio research preamp and Yamaha sacd transport,where I heard the orchid at Teajay house he uses Threshold ss amp, and a very good transport, I forgot to his preamp I assume it’s a good tube preamp.either one you can’t go wrong.But if you like tubes and have the budget, I go for the orchid....trust me the Ares did compete with their terminator, when I heard them both at Axpona.Good luck...
