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DENAFRIPS DAC ---- Owner Impressions, Feedback, General Discussion, Questions and more....

Thread for OWNER IMPRESSIONS, FEEDBACK, QUESTIONS, ETC. regarding DENAFRIPS DACs.

DENAFRIPS lists the following R2R DACs:

Ares, Pontus, Venus, and Terminator (in increasing price order).

"DENAFRIPS incorporated in year 2012, focus in developing high end audio equipment at a very affordable price. Throughout the years of intense Research & Development, and continuous improvement of the product lines, DENAFRIPS had finally settled with the current product range equipped with R-2R ladder DAC technology. The reason behind this is the designer strongly believe that R-2R DAC is the best way to reproduce music.

The name, DENAFRIPS, stand for:

D-ynamic
E-xquisite
N-atural
A-ttractive
F-idelity
R-efined
I-ntoxicating
P-ure
S-ophisticated

This mean a lot and it is the house-sound of all DENAFRIPS products." [Copied From Denafrips About Us section]
david_ten
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
Video review and comparison that may answer some questions...

From: Jay / The Next Best Thing Studio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuoBAodEI5w&feature=youtu.be
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
I have just sold my Audio Note DAC One signature edition and now looking for a new DAC. Denafrips is at the top of my shortlist. Based on the prices, the Ares II seems to be a downgrade but I’m of the opinion that DAC technology has progressed tremendously and a lower priced modern DAC may be better than an older higher priced DAC. I hope someone can give me some opinions on the following:
1. Is there an audible difference between the Ares and Pontus? My ears are not great and I don’t and won’t use expensive cables. 2. Are they a good match for my 300b tube amp and floor standing speakers with aluminium ribbon tweeters?
3. I’m toying with the the idea of buying two DACs - an Ares II and a delta sigma one (one of those Topping, SMSL or Gustard DACs that measures very well and can decode MQA) so that I can switch between them depending on my moods. Or should I go all in on a Pontus?

yes in my experience with both the pontus is definitely more refined than the ares 2, which had a troublesome sibilance (to my ears, in my system) in the lower treble

i have not tried the venus, but i have tried a terminator also, and in my opinion the pontus is the sweet spot in the line for performance for $
alvin1118
130 posts
 

Hello guys,

The latest licensed Thesycon Driver ( For Windows PC ) v5.0.0 is available to download here: link.


The history file with changes can be downloaded at: http://www.thesycon.de/usbaudio/TUSBAudio_history.txt


Many thanks,
Alvin @ Vinshine Audio
atmfrank01's avatar
atmfrank01
12 posts
 
New ARES II owner here. Just arrived today. LOVE. 

What made me buy it? Having variety I suppose. My beloved Burson 3R (2x9038q2m) comes pretty close, but the immediacy and increased dynamics on the ARES II is instantly recognizable. OS/sharp, 16/44 and 24/96 local FLAC streams. 

Charlie Haden live: hear the performance & audience in 3D, every little cough and sniffle. 

Other DAC's in service: SMSL SU-9, Chord Mojo, TDA1387 (all mid-tier/budget)

Thank you Denafrips team. 
 
luisma31
516 posts
 
Congrats, please report back next week
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