I just received mine a week ago, your review is spot on. So much better than my integrated DAC. This was an amazing upgrade. Detail, separation, dynamics. It has renewed my interest in my electronic music collection. Thank you for the reviews!
@@VinshineAudio You are quite welcome. Thank you! There is one downside to this experience. I am now interested in the 3 higher performance Denafrips DACs, which range from $1,693 to $4,418 based on current exchange rates. I have often wished that reviewers would review an entire line of a manufacturer's product so that consumers can identify the sweet spot in terms of price/performance.
I appreciate these videos for many reasons; I need this education having been away from audio for many changes, and; The background noise reminds me why I don’t live in New York.
Thanks Steve, I'm now a proud owner of the Ares. Your heartfelt explanation and listening impression was really encouraging which helped me in my decision making process. Cheers VHFL
After listening to several reviews about this Denafrips Ares, I ordered one since it is not that expensive. Once, I connected to my system. My first impression was "Wow". It was a significant improvement! The thing that I am always afraid of is that I won't be able to hear any difference. This Denafrips really made a big difference. To give you more perspective, my system is Nait5i, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor, Cambridge CXC CD transport. My system is not high-end. Not sure if you have had a High-End system whether this Denafrips will be of an improvement. But with my current system, it makes incredibly beautiful improvement. I have to say the best $738 US Dollar that I spent on a piece of audio equipment. I am hoping more and more Chinese made reasonably priced audio components come to our way.
You nailed it with this review! Right on man! I can live happily with my Topping D90... but the Ares II makes me happy. It's exactly as you say it is. It helps create music with meat on the bones. I'm done listening to new DACs for a while. What I really like is that I still have not read the manual for the Ares. It was simple to plug and play. Simple is good for this old guy. And to use an analogy, the Ares ii is like the most beautiful woman, and she has a sweet kind personality ❤
Ralp, did you get yours already? I love this Denafrips. The price is very reasonable too. Even though, I have money, but I am not that willing to spend 4K for a DAC.
This ended my search for DACs... had the Ares for 2 years now. Bought it based on an obscure rave on an online forum. Surprised it took all these mainstream audio reviewers all this time to get into the game. I am now an R2R man and will never own another Delta-Sigma DAC again. Really really analog sounding. And what's insane is it has an extremely long burn in time. The sound kept improving well into 6 mos. of ownership. I thought things couldn't get better but they did with every hardware addition. First I upgraded to a pure silver digital spdif cable. Then I upgraded the power cord. Wooooh! When I upgraded the linear power supply of my Squeezebox source... wow! I don't even have the slightest itch to upgrade to their higher models. That's how good the Ares is. I'll just spend the money on speakers or amp upgrade. By the way, that obscure online rave years ago claimed that even just the Ares smoked the Holo Audio Spring DAC and even the Schiit Yggdrasil.
@@cau8365 From Denafrips: "We're happy to announce the tiny mighty ARES was upgraded to ARES II. The DSP portion of the ARES II shared much similarity to the Terminator DSP board launched recently... Digital Signal Processing via FPGA instead of CPLD DSD1024, PCM1536 Supports On USB Input - Proprietary USB Audio Solution via STM32F446 Advanced AMR Based MCU - Licensed Thesycon USB Driver For Windows Platform - Driver-less On Mac & Linux - Sampling Mode: NOS / OS - Filter Selection: Slow / Sharp "
If you liked Ares, try the Venus which is the sweet spot in the line up. Huge step up from Ares, 90% of the Terminator but much more affordable, especially used if you can find one.
I can't seem to find many used denafrips online (save for the ares, which is often sold when people upgrade to the higher end denafrips dac). Speaks to the quality of this brand I suppose?
Intriguing. This has been on my radar. Currently still using a Lector .5 from fifteen (!) years ago. Still sounds great. It has a tubed analog output section. The late Charles Hansen of Ayre said that the output stage was responsible for 90% of the difference in sonic performance. Yet...I'd like to hear the Denafrips.
when I saw Steve's face at 52 seconds, I knew that I might have a serious contender for my upgrade. I have $1000 budget and have really been looking into the Musical Paradise MP-D2 Mkii, which my neighbor has. The upgrade and options are insane and intriguing. Been using a Peachtree DAC-iT X and Schitt Modi 2 for second system.
Byron, I was so impressed by this Denafrips. I can say that it is the best $738 USD that I spent on an audio component. The service is amazing too. I sent an email, they will reply within a day the most. They are very responsive.
Thanks for the exciting review Steve. I for one was inspired enough to order one from Alvin of Vinshine Audio. Alvin was quick and very professional replying to my questions. It was good to hear he is hopefully setting up a USA repair center. Also good news is the price included the shipping to Canada. There is a 4 week backorder at the moment but I’m not in any rush...will report back and let you know my impressions...
Hi Del, So I've had it about 1 week now after waiting for the 4 week back order. Alvin posted it and it was on my doorstep 2 days later, that Alvin doesn't fool around. Turns out Denafrips has updated and it is now the Ares 2 that I received, and apparently for new orders it will cost something like $150 Singapore more, they incorporated some tech from the Terminator model to improve it but don't ask me about the technical details because that's just over my head. I paid the old price since I had already placed my order but I will say (spoiler alert) now that I've heard it I would be happy to pay the new price. I haven't had much time to really give it a good listen and I'm no expert but I immediately knew it sounded special. Everything sounded airy and was packed with detail, really lively and energetic. I've been listening mostly to folk and bluegrass lately and the acoustic instruments sound very life like with rich harmonics, the attack and decay of say a plucked string is lush sounding. Female and Male vocals are warm sounding, gone is the slight nasally sound I have been used to. The imaging is really great, as good as or better than my current dac, you can hear the band spread out across the room in front, you can pinpoint each instrument, to me that's one of the most important details I listen for. My digital set up includes a homebrew Single Ended Tube amp I built, some Klipsch towers same as the ones Steve likes and JDS Labs El Dac (now replaced by Ares) with my laptop using Foobar2000 playing Flac and Mp3 320 files. The Ares is great looking although simple, build is very solid. A few features I still have to figure out are you can choose NOS or OS, there is an adjust for Slow Filter or Sharp Filter and there is a Phase button I'm not sure how it should be set yet. So far I'm super happy with my decision to get the Ares, it has taken my system to a new level. Many thanks to Steve for sharing his thoughts about the Ares with us. Marc.
Marc L Thanks so much for the very detailed impression of the Ares2. I am convinced that the ares is better than my Bifrost. And although I can’t afford it , I am waiting for Steves’s coming terminator review :)
I bought an Ares a couple years ago - wholeheartedly agree, this is a fantastic, very well-rounded and very sweet DAC. It replaced an Audio-gd R2R-11, which now sits on my desk.
Ares 1 or Ares II? Can u eloborate on how it compares to r2r11.... I prefer warm analogue sound...so I just want to know if ares is better than the audio-gd in that area. Thnx
@@ruffandruff I have the Gen 1 Ares, so can't really comment on the Gen 2. It's always difficult to express sound characteristics empirically, and of course, listening preferences are obviously *highly* individual and subjective... With all that said, I actually find the Audio-gd to be a bit "warmer" sounding - slightly slower/more relaxed bass response and less airy mid-high range. The Ares produces a slightly wider soundstage and a bit "faster" low end. I absolutely *love* the Ares for jazz, classical, electronic, and ambient. Slightly prefer the Audio-gd for folk, female vocals, acoustic instruments, and spoken word. So, long story short - if you like the warm analog sound profile, you might be better served to stick with the R2R. For the money, really hard to go wrong with either IMO.
I just received mine last night. I’ve owned 4 chip based DACs all under $400, I had no idea what I was missing until I started listening with the Ares last night. The music is so much more alive, sound stage is wider and more realistic. I’m not an audio reviewer, that’s Steve’s job, but this thing sounds soooo good it’s a huge improvement over anything I’ve had in my system before, I just had to share.
@@y.k.9705 it's possible, but i've never heard of a DAC that sounds 'analogue' at this price. I've always had the same problem as Steve, whereby digital just sounds a bit uninspiring next to a good analogue source, so this made my ears twitch. Hehe :)
Please review the Pontus DAC Steve. I am told it has an update to the original Pontus. It appears to have double the resistor ladders, power supply is larger and is separated from the DAC and has more connection options.
I know!! And the hilarious part is that people won't stop saying they measure horrible and they are full of distortion. Oh well... It's up to them to miss such magic. We luckily might have our ears broken or something. To me there is no return after R2R.
I just received Denafrips Pontus . Paired with KEF LS50 Wireless. Inputs are Audiolab 6000cdt and bluesound node2i. Connected via Nordost silver shadow Coaxial Digital cable. Truly amazing sound I ever heard in my house. ( coming from Nad c 388, Nad C 368 , Outlaw rr2160, pioneer elite speakers, Elac Ub5, Elac Amp, KEF R 300 and anthem mrx 720 and musical hall 2.3 turntable . cambridge cd transport. Just mentioned what I had previously ) . Thanks to Steve letting us know this brand and it just happened when I was actually looking for DAC. Also big thanks to Alvin from vinsine Audio, who clarified all my questions. Now I am not sure what to expect further.
Steve can you explain the setup of how you use the dac, from broadband coming in to the message from the dac to the amp. How you select music: computer/ phone etc, and what cables you use and what are the signals eg bit perfect. Great videos, Thanks Freeborn John.
Steve, on a side note, you should do an article on exaggerated power ratings by audio companies. The guys over at Audioholics did a great article on the subject. I recently purchased an Onkyo receiver that sounds horrible compared to my Pioneer from 1990. They are putting together a petition to change the way power ratings are listed on boxes.
@@scottyo64 Because Sound United is buying up most of the AV receiver companies and perhaps they can lead the industry with honesty in the power numbers for a change.
I have not heard the Terminator, all opinions I have heard about it are very favorable. It's $4500.00 US .. A PS Audio Direct Stream is $6000.00 US. I have owned a Direct Stream through two firm-ware updates, and I expect more in the future. It's an FPGA DAC and that's why I bought it, along with the fact that it is made in the USA and customer service is top notch. The Terminator may be a good value for some, but it will always be what it is. I think FPGA technology has advanced DAC's to the next level...
Steve, I would suggest that your approval of the Denafrips is due to your current obsession with forward-sounding horn speakers. The warm presentation of the Ares is more complimentary in that realm and probably not so much for more laid-back electronics (tubes?) and speakers.
So good, Soo good. I waisted too much money on other people's opinions. I have a million DACs . Tired of this chase. They are like new cell phones, "oh look at this, no this one", tomorrow someone is going to sell a better and cheaper one. Okay just one more DAC and that will be the last one, I promise.
@@y.k.9705 Thank you for not labeling me as a troll! I simply want people to have the most information they can gather before buying any electronic product whether it be PCs, GPU, or audio equipment.
I’ve tried both and prefer the Ares II. More natural sounding, the Bifrost is a little more analytical and the highs can be sharp on certain tracks. The Ares might not have the same fidelity, but it’s more analog sounding.
Sorry Steve, I just told my wife, you made me buy one. It’s your fault. It’s going to replace an SMSL SU-8 which I’ve enjoyed, but as you said in your review, some DACs sound steely, which the SU-8 can be.
The inside of this DAC reminds me a bit of what my $3200 (R2R) Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC looks like with the addition of a few features the Hex doesn't have. I do love this DAC..... but had this Denafrips been available, I'm not so sure I would have been able to resist the savings it presents.
Steve.. Just saw a blurb on RME ADI 2 DAC with an outstandong headphone capabilities. Seems like it got great reception and is a good value. Any input from you is muchly appreciated.
I've replaced my RME ADI-2 DAC with the Denafrips Ares II. Using loudspeakers, the difference is night and day. I am hearing things I never heard before with the RME or, if I did, weren't as "alive" as they are with the ARES. The RME was dry, like a bell made of a lead alloy, the Ares is like a finely tuned bell, without the lead, just sweet and lively in the highs, and more robust in the mids and lows. I'm still undecided as to whether I will keep the RME and relegate it to IEM/HP use only, or sell it and the ARES and upgrade to the Denafrips Terminator or Holo May. I can't afford any of this, but now that I've discovered that I can realize the true potential of my system with a better DAC, I can't resist.
Same goes for myself. Based on Steve's recommendation and other online reviews I purchased the Ares II. It does have a terrific sound. Though lacking a remote, I wish it had an automatic standby mode.
I did an AB test between CD n vinyl ... same album. Yes ... the vinyl sounded fuller. The distributor is just like 4 mins away from my place. Have yet to go listen to them. Some reviewers say their top of the line DAC, the Terminator, is awesome. Thanks for the review Steve!
ANY manufacturer/distributor or an establishment doing business on internet that is NOT willing to post their physical address/location on their website should raise flags in a reasonably thinking individual. www.denafrips.com/ www.vinshineaudio.com/about-us
@@madanielk6526 Are you saying you'd go to China to set things right? I bought my Kinki Studio EX-M1 from Alvin of vinshineaudio.com and couldn't be happier. In fact, it's the last integrated I'll ever buy: it's that good. Read the reviews which have the foreground info on the company. That, and it's relatively easy to find their exact location with an online search. No need to raise red flags as you know what you're getting into right from the start.
" it's relatively easy to find their exact location with an online search".... ??? so the location is NOT clearly stated on their website? And if so, exactly where is it listed? I've checked vinshineaudio.com for physical address, not visible on the website. ...
Hey Steve... As an audiophile, would you say the ultimate goal is accuracy in musical reproduction, or simply enjoyment of audio? I hear many audiophiles decry a system or component for "coloring" the sound, but then praise another for its' "warmth" or "richness" or "wide sound stage." Ain't that "coloring" too? If EQing is bad, any equipment that basically EQs the sound by way of it's circuitry should be considered suboptimal by these standards. Curious what your take is on this.
lightfusegetaway I think the goal is to enjoy music! Accuracy? No one truly knows what’s in the recording, even the engineers that made it, because it sounds different on every speaker and every headphone.So the goal is still enjoyment, but if you want to fool yourself to thinking that by having the most accurate system, sure, knock yourself out.
R2R DACs: For the longest time my favorite CD player was a Sony ES player... it was about the last of the R2R DACs just before they switched to 1-bit, and it was very lively and exciting sounding. I did not like the sound of the early 1-bit players. The Sony was my main player until it started skipping, and I got an Oppo. The Oppo was more refined, but it did lack the dynamics and excitement of the R2R DACs.
@@LeoRousseau i have my ares 2 for abt half a year, you have to run in this dac. as the low end would become much more palpable and authoritative, it was amazing!
Thanks for the review. I went ahead and picked up one a few weeks ago....just got it about a week ago. So far, I love it. There have a couple of glitches that I'm working with them on, but so far so good. Question for you Steve. Do you have any experience with the Denafrips Preamp and Amp? The Hestia and Hyperion.
Steve, gotta call a spade a spade. So you talk and talk all about this dac. Awesome. You dont mention any other component that you had it connected to??! Very strange. What source, pre, speakers was it in line with? It makes a difference, people want to know.
Hi Steve, did you also tried the different inputs? Did you prefer USB over SPDIF (or the other way around) or are they the same from a sound quality perspective?
Fascinating review Steve. I've always been a fan of ladder R2R DACS ever since hearing the original Philips TDA-1540 and TDA-1541 back in the early / mids 80's. As always, it's all about the sound. Sounds like your smitten with this DAC. Even better considering the price point.
The Ares is my current DAC at my system...we compare to other and is a incredible sounding Dac for the money. We test it against a Chord Chordette 2qute battery powered in a ultra high resolution system and...sounds equals with better bass and slam and more musical engaging than the 2qute but with less resolution. Ah...the Chord here cost 4 times more...so...until i can swap by a Pontus, will be my dac of choice.
The manufacturer’s return/refund policy, from their website: “We run an honest business, we strive to keep the cost low, therefore, effectively pass down the saving to you, our customer. We do not support return / refund of any product. Thank you for your kind understanding.” So, better be sure before sending your $680 to this Chinese company.
Purchased into the Chinese made hifi with three Cambridge audio class XD amplifiers ( yes I know! ) all failed prematurely! The last one turned itself up to full volume and nearly blew up my speakers. With the returns policy you described. Steve should have perhaps included that important fact in the review.
@@scottyo64 Not any more, Mike dumped them because they were a non-serialized product with no warranty and was uncomfortable recommending these to his customers. He also stated that the owner of the company was very difficult to work with. Seems like a very risky purchase from my perspective.
Please review the Dutch & Dutch 8c because I think it would change your mind about active “audiophile” speakers. Puts the BW Duos to shame, but for $13,000 it better.
Thks Steve, Denafrips was on my shortlist so I'm glad to hear your thoughts on it Vs Schiit and Border Patrol. Now I'm wondering curiously on the SQ difference between their 4 Dac models
Something weird about the Ares II. If your are A/B testing it, as audiophiles are wont to do, in order to get it running again after you take it off the system, you must turn it on before connecting an input cable. XLR, coax or USB. Otherwise, it won't lock onto the signal. You may have disconnected it fully, but it doesnt matter. It needs to boot up first before any input cable is attached. Weird, inconvenient, but an easy enough fix when you figure it out.
I owned the Bifrost Unison DAC when I bought n blind tested the ARES II. After a month of going back n forth, not knowing which unit was playing (blind testing) the two units we’re undistinguishable. The statement of the Bifrost being flat and edgy by comparison is quite imaginative. Don’t get me wrong, I respect Steve but until he does blind testing of electronics, they are heavily biased. I use the Ares II because it has balanced out outputs, not because it’s more “analog”, because it’s not.
I love the ENOG2 Pro, and I love the sound of most AK4493 DACS and really anything that AKM makes. I wonder how the ENOG 2 compares to something like the Denafrips, which uses a totally different approach?
@Steve do you find that this analog like sonic presentation is a well tuned “benign” coloration? Do all your records sound the same through this DAC? Would you get tired of it after the first “wow”? Like a tube system that’s too syrupy?
My guess is that with complexe scenes it produces less intermodular distortions. Well I know it measures like an r2r but the way it images cannot lie, instruments are cut within space and the brain even put textures on top. This is not a tweak of the equalizer or the introduction of some harmonics, its precision. it doesnt have a flavour other then its palpable, substanciated, materialized. Its producing a vivid effect on listening. there are cues that the brain uses to locate the instruments that just seems to come out and work with this dac.
If your every close to Panama City Florida, I have rig you might want to listen to consisting of the KlipschCornwall III in Indian Rosewood, Primaluna Dialogue Premium Preamp, Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP amp, plus a FirstWatt SIT 3 and Carver Crimson 275 and an OPPO 203. My DAC is a PS Audio Directstream but I also have a DENAFRIPS Terminator on the way. The low end is supported by a REL S5 SHO. Lastly my conditioner is an IsoTek Aquarius, All in a dedicated acoustically treated room. You are cordially invited.
I bought one for my private system after the review and I like it a lot. As Steve said, it's sounding very analogue. I found it to react pretty well on mechanical support. I used one of the weights made by Thixar and it was like switching off a dynamic compressor. Not a small improvement, We tried it blind and we could hear it within seconds. This little DAC has great potential! For my engineering system, I might stick with my Marantz SA-10, but for my private fun, this is the one to go with. It got something organic and fluid that is hard to ignore. For everybody, who is only interested in details, go somewhere else. If you want to hear the soul of the music without any harshness, get an Ares :-) Just my 2c
It's a pity the new Ares II just came out shortly after I bought the original one. Why do manufacturers no co-ordinate the reviews, so customers don't feel bad a couple of weeks after they bought a new unit? I could not find any further information about the changes but I'm hunting around already for a different R-2R DAC, as I like the principle, but do not feel very comfortable about buying an old unit just before the new one came out. As I bought it directly, it must have been known by the seller for sure :-(
Not relevant for DAC to DAC comparisons but if you're comparing to analog it would help to know what source you are using. Anyway, thanks for reviewing this. I was interested in Darko's review of the Terminator but at 4K it wasn't something that got me motivated.
Any chance of a "MUSICIAN Pegasus" review - supposed extraordinary value for money - even compared with Denafrips models - Thanks for the great channel
Hello Steve. Thank you for your review! I think another chinese brand you should also try is Audio-GD. I have their R8 DAC and its an incredible machine. Some people claim that it can compete with DACs costing MUCH more (3 or 4 times more). I think it should be on your list for future reviews.
It's not a dominate trend, but it's been around for awhile. I haven't heard the new PL one, but I have heard a few that I enjoyed. Musical Paradise comes to mind.
I'm with Carl Ryan. Tubes don't convert a digital signal to analog. You need a microchip or in the case of the Ares an array or ladder of resistors, hence a ladder DAC.
I just got the Denafrips Ares ii today and put it to the test. And wow ! All my dreams collapsed ! Let me break it up to points: Pros: The sound has been altered to sound like a wide sound stage... so there is a perception that the sound has a wide soundstage Pretty straightforward and easy to operate Cons: 1) Even though the soundstage appears to be wide but this is very irregular. The vocal sound is wide (Unnaturally!) but then a lot of the instruments have their soundstage much smaller sounding more like a matchbox of the instrument rather than the instrument itself! This unrealistic difference in the size of the soundstage between vocals and instruments creates a very unnatural and disturbing overall soundstage 2) The high frequencies are pretty disturbing to listen to as there is an accentuation and edginess of the high frequencies 3) Everything is thin. The bass, the midrange ...etc. So most of the flavor of listening across the spectrum is lost as nothing is presented truly to its magnitude 4) Loss of resolution! There is a loss of the sound data in many cases especially when it is in the low midrange and low frequencies. What is perceived as details is I think the accentuation of the higher frequencies which give the misleading feeling of extra detail and airiness 5) Completely unnatural. Probably this is the worst part. After 10 min of listening you would want to turn of the audio off as this very unnatural sound starts creeping into your head and gives you a headache. I uninstalled The Denafrips ARES II from my system and I'm so relieved ! 6) This DAC gives you the Archetype of the typical digital sound. The sound is cold, harsh and edgy. It is very far from the promised Analog like sound. I'm putting my comments in several youtubers' comment section to make sure you are informed before buying
Sorry for my previous reporting about the Ares II. This was entirely my mistake with the wiring that goes out of the DAC and into the Amplifier. Once that problem was fixed, the results were Jaw Dropping ! The artists and musicians are in the room. Every instrument sounds exactly the way it sounds in reality. The richness, impact and details of the instruments are the exact thing you expect to get if you get that instrument and play it in the room. The power of drums, the richness of electric or acoustic guitars and the reality of vocals are as if you are physically present with the artists and the instruments. I know this since I play several musical instruments myself. Excluding perfect vinyl recordings, this is the most realistic sound I've ever heard. I had a rough beginning with it due to wrong wiring... but once the problem got fixed, the results were jaw dropping ! I have used many expensive DACs before, but nothing comes close... I'm truly sorry to anyone who has been misled by my previous impression. That was totally my mistake and had nothing to do with the DAC itself.
Border Patrol is not as good as the Lab12 dac which uses 8 of the Phillips chip instead of 1, and the Lab12 has higher resolution and sounds a lot more open and balanced while maintaining that amazing liquid organic sound.
Thanks Steve, I am looking for something just like this and I can't/won't buy anything made in the USA (President Chump, trade war, tariffs on our steel and aluminium, yada yada...). Love your videos.
President Trump is fixing the huge mess so called trade war democrats and others fid nithi G about. That's a very good thing. You need to learn basic economics before spreading common liberal myths and lies.
@@airgliderz My first reaction was to assume you must be stupid and so abuse you for thinking you know anything. That was wrong so I will just lay out the facts. I am not a US citizen. I used to buy US products and I was proud to as my grandfather told me our countries were allies. Since you elected (or the electoral college appointed) Trump I have stopped buying anything made in the USA if there is an alternative product from anywhere else, because your president started a trade war that has impacted on my country even though that wasn't his intent. It is now the USA against everyone else, and I am part of everyone else, so I try to buy nothing from businesses based in your country. Trump can boost the US economy in the short term by banning trade with China on some goods. But long term it will bite you. Companies all over the world that use US technology and pay a license to incorporate it in their own products are now looking to replace that tech so they can continue to trade with China. Trump will have long term consequences for your country as the USA can no longer be assumed to be part of the global supply chain. My advice to you is to stop watching Fox News and try to understand the world as other see it. Try to understand that every action has a reaction. The USA was great when it was the leader of free nations trading freely and fairly with all. Isolationism has never made you strong. Oh and try to treat refugees as humans, what your government is doing on its southern border is on our news every week. We see it and we judge you for it.
Out of curiosity, I tried the XLR output of this DAC, WOW. If anyone has the ability to try single ended vs XLR on this unit, please tell me if I am imagining the difference.
@@veniceog I do not own one. Just pointing out that all XLR connections boost level 6db. This is an engineering fact. That's all. When the human ear hears louder...we often convey that is better sounding or a wow factor. If heard it in my balanced gear. For what it is worth I have 3 rigs in my place...not saying I know all facets of hifi but I am very versed. Look up xlr versus rca and you will see the consensus.
Not being able to control volume in Windows is a deal breaker. Edit: Denafrips says firmware 3.14 allows USB mixer volume control (3.12 is stock, no volume control).
Please check out the Geshelli labs Enog 2 pro. It is much cheaper, and it is made from cheaper components. It looks weird, is shaped weird, and can be a little bizarre, like anything else from Florida, but it is a great deal. If you need a DAC, need balanced output, want good sound, but don't want to pay a lot, check it out.
I'm more interested in the tube amps from China. Weird names, but nice looking, supposedly PTP wiring, readily available preamp tubes & EL34/KT88 output tubes. You can get them on Amazon & they mostly get good reviews, but aren't exactly cheap in my book, being several hundred USD. Yaqin MC 13S Muzishare X5
adam brown price is tempting. Though everything we own in our homes are one way or another sourced from China. I’m sure some parts of my components are sourced from China. Though it goes to an American owned company that employs American citizens. It was a tough call purchasing my Dynaudio special 40’s. Though made in Europe. They are owned by a private Chinese corporation.
Thanks for your honest review. Can you give me your opinion about which Denafrips could be best to upgrade my system, Ares II or Pontus ? I already have a Ak4490 in my Atoll IN200 signature used to listen music with my Mac and a Burr-Brown PCM1792 in my Atoll CD200 signature for CDs. Also I have Dali Opticon 5 as loud speakers. Will I upgrade something with Denafrips ?
Hey Steve, Dave here. Looks like the Bifrost you had on hand for this review was an older Bifrost. Have you had a chance to compare the Ares to the newer Bifrost 2? Based on your listening preferences and their close price points, I would think this would be a better and obvious comparison. Anyone else with experience with both?
I would hate to buy something like this and it's only a subtle change to what I currently own. Lateral movement purchases are annoying. I would have to actually hear one in person before purchasing.
How much have DACs improved in recent years? I have a Mark Levinson 390s and when you talk about the denefrips for relativity, how close is that to my 390s?
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I got one after watching this review and it's a very impressive sounding Dac! Thank you Steve!
Thanks Francisco! Enjoy the music!
I just received mine a week ago, your review is spot on. So much better than my integrated DAC. This was an amazing upgrade. Detail, separation, dynamics. It has renewed my interest in my electronic music collection. Thank you for the reviews!
I got one of these based on your review, and I have to say you were spot on. This is the best DAC I have ever heard.
Thanks, Tom. Enjoy the music!
@@VinshineAudio You are quite welcome. Thank you! There is one downside to this experience. I am now interested in the 3 higher performance Denafrips DACs, which range from $1,693 to $4,418 based on current exchange rates. I have often wished that reviewers would review an entire line of a manufacturer's product so that consumers can identify the sweet spot in terms of price/performance.
@@tlhuffman I have been asking Steve to review the Pontus DAC. It might be my sweetspot.
I appreciate these videos for many reasons;
I need this education having been away from audio for many changes, and;
The background noise reminds me why I don’t live in New York.
Keep sharing your favorite findings. Thanks.
Thanks Steve, I'm now a proud owner of the Ares. Your heartfelt explanation and listening impression was really encouraging which helped me in my decision making process. Cheers VHFL
Great to see this video after reading the review on Cnet yesterday.
Thanks Steve!
After listening to several reviews about this Denafrips Ares, I ordered one since it is not that expensive. Once, I connected to my system. My first impression was "Wow". It was a significant improvement! The thing that I am always afraid of is that I won't be able to hear any difference. This Denafrips really made a big difference. To give you more perspective, my system is Nait5i, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor, Cambridge CXC CD transport. My system is not high-end. Not sure if you have had a High-End system whether this Denafrips will be of an improvement. But with my current system, it makes incredibly beautiful improvement. I have to say the best $738 US Dollar that I spent on a piece of audio equipment. I am hoping more and more Chinese made reasonably priced audio components come to our way.
You nailed it with this review! Right on man! I can live happily with my Topping D90... but the Ares II makes me happy. It's exactly as you say it is. It helps create music with meat on the bones. I'm done listening to new DACs for a while. What I really like is that I still have not read the manual for the Ares. It was simple to plug and play. Simple is good for this old guy. And to use an analogy, the Ares ii is like the most beautiful woman, and she has a sweet kind personality ❤
Wow, I’m sold!!! Perfect timing, cause I’m on the market for a new DAC!!! Thank you for review!!! ☮️🖖🏽
Ralp, did you get yours already? I love this Denafrips. The price is very reasonable too. Even though, I have money, but I am not that willing to spend 4K for a DAC.
This ended my search for DACs... had the Ares for 2 years now. Bought it based on an obscure rave on an online forum. Surprised it took all these mainstream audio reviewers all this time to get into the game. I am now an R2R man and will never own another Delta-Sigma DAC again. Really really analog sounding. And what's insane is it has an extremely long burn in time. The sound kept improving well into 6 mos. of ownership. I thought things couldn't get better but they did with every hardware addition. First I upgraded to a pure silver digital spdif cable. Then I upgraded the power cord. Wooooh! When I upgraded the linear power supply of my Squeezebox source... wow! I don't even have the slightest itch to upgrade to their higher models. That's how good the Ares is. I'll just spend the money on speakers or amp upgrade. By the way, that obscure online rave years ago claimed that even just the Ares smoked the Holo Audio Spring DAC and even the Schiit Yggdrasil.
Thanks! Hope you like the Ares :)
Could you name all your components ? Thanks in advance 🍻
Do you know the different between the Ares and Ares II?
@@cau8365 From Denafrips: "We're happy to announce the tiny mighty ARES was upgraded to ARES II. The DSP portion of the ARES II shared much similarity to the Terminator DSP board launched recently... Digital Signal Processing via FPGA instead of CPLD DSD1024, PCM1536 Supports On USB Input - Proprietary USB Audio Solution via STM32F446 Advanced AMR Based MCU - Licensed Thesycon USB Driver For Windows Platform - Driver-less On Mac & Linux - Sampling Mode: NOS / OS - Filter Selection: Slow / Sharp "
What kind of silver cable and power supply did you get? I'm about to buy an Ares 2 and I'd like to know what to purchase to upgrade it. Thank you
If you liked Ares, try the Venus which is the sweet spot in the line up. Huge step up from Ares, 90% of the Terminator but much more affordable, especially used if you can find one.
I can't seem to find many used denafrips online (save for the ares, which is often sold when people upgrade to the higher end denafrips dac). Speaks to the quality of this brand I suppose?
What about the Pontus? Have you listened to it?
What about the Pontus 2?
Intriguing. This has been on my radar. Currently still using a Lector .5 from fifteen (!) years ago. Still sounds great. It has a tubed analog output section. The late Charles Hansen of Ayre said that the output stage was responsible for 90% of the difference in sonic performance. Yet...I'd like to hear the Denafrips.
when I saw Steve's face at 52 seconds, I knew that I might have a serious contender for my upgrade. I have $1000 budget and have really been looking into the Musical Paradise MP-D2 Mkii, which my neighbor has. The upgrade and options are insane and intriguing. Been using a Peachtree DAC-iT X and Schitt Modi 2 for second system.
Byron, I was so impressed by this Denafrips. I can say that it is the best $738 USD that I spent on an audio component. The service is amazing too. I sent an email, they will reply within a day the most. They are very responsive.
Great review, "sounds" like a great product stepping out from the crowded DAC crowd.
Thanks for the exciting review Steve. I for one was inspired enough to order one from Alvin of Vinshine Audio. Alvin was quick and very professional replying to my questions. It was good to hear he is hopefully setting up a USA repair center. Also good news is the price included the shipping to Canada. There is a 4 week backorder at the moment but I’m not in any rush...will report back and let you know my impressions...
Marc L hi 👋. How is your experience with the Ares. thanks 🙏
Hi Del,
So I've had it about 1 week now after waiting for the 4 week back order. Alvin posted it and it was on my doorstep 2 days later, that Alvin doesn't fool around. Turns out Denafrips has updated and it is now the Ares 2 that I received, and apparently for new orders it will cost something like $150 Singapore more, they incorporated some tech from the Terminator model to improve it but don't ask me about the technical details because that's just over my head. I paid the old price since I had already placed my order but I will say (spoiler alert) now that I've heard it I would be happy to pay the new price.
I haven't had much time to really give it a good listen and I'm no expert but I immediately knew it sounded special. Everything sounded airy and was packed with detail, really lively and energetic. I've been listening mostly to folk and bluegrass lately and the acoustic instruments sound very life like with rich harmonics, the attack and decay of say a plucked string is lush sounding. Female and Male vocals are warm sounding, gone is the slight nasally sound I have been used to. The imaging is really great, as good as or better than my current dac, you can hear the band spread out across the room in front, you can pinpoint each instrument, to me that's one of the most important details I listen for.
My digital set up includes a homebrew Single Ended Tube amp I built, some Klipsch towers same as the ones Steve likes and JDS Labs El Dac (now replaced by Ares) with my laptop using Foobar2000 playing Flac and Mp3 320 files.
The Ares is great looking although simple, build is very solid. A few features I still have to figure out are you can choose NOS or OS, there is an adjust for Slow Filter or Sharp Filter and there is a Phase button I'm not sure how it should be set yet.
So far I'm super happy with my decision to get the Ares, it has taken my system to a new level. Many thanks to Steve for sharing his thoughts about the Ares with us.
Marc.
Marc L Thanks so much for the very detailed impression of the Ares2. I am convinced that the ares is better than my Bifrost. And although I can’t afford it , I am waiting for Steves’s coming terminator review :)
Subscribed! Looking forward to you reviewing the other denafrips dac
I bought an Ares a couple years ago - wholeheartedly agree, this is a fantastic, very well-rounded and very sweet DAC. It replaced an Audio-gd R2R-11, which now sits on my desk.
damn, i have that audio-gd on my desk and i am thinking about the Ares :D
Ares 1 or Ares II? Can u eloborate on how it compares to r2r11.... I prefer warm analogue sound...so I just want to know if ares is better than the audio-gd in that area. Thnx
@@ruffandruff I have the Gen 1 Ares, so can't really comment on the Gen 2. It's always difficult to express sound characteristics empirically, and of course, listening preferences are obviously *highly* individual and subjective... With all that said, I actually find the Audio-gd to be a bit "warmer" sounding - slightly slower/more relaxed bass response and less airy mid-high range. The Ares produces a slightly wider soundstage and a bit "faster" low end. I absolutely *love* the Ares for jazz, classical, electronic, and ambient. Slightly prefer the Audio-gd for folk, female vocals, acoustic instruments, and spoken word.
So, long story short - if you like the warm analog sound profile, you might be better served to stick with the R2R. For the money, really hard to go wrong with either IMO.
I just received mine last night. I’ve owned 4 chip based DACs all under $400, I had no idea what I was missing until I started listening with the Ares last night. The music is so much more alive, sound stage is wider and more realistic. I’m not an audio reviewer, that’s Steve’s job, but this thing sounds soooo good it’s a huge improvement over anything I’ve had in my system before, I just had to share.
Chris Forsythe did you get the Ares 2?
loving my new Ares DAC, Thanks Steve!
Pono
I’m glad your reviewing Denefrips! You should review the terminator!
i've never really been bothered about separate DACs, but this is swaying me.
The best one is Schiit Modi 2 I think. On Amazon $50. Sounds wonderful. And with the update you'll be happy. I think
@@y.k.9705 it's possible, but i've never heard of a DAC that sounds 'analogue' at this price. I've always had the same problem as Steve, whereby digital just sounds a bit uninspiring next to a good analogue source, so this made my ears twitch. Hehe :)
Please review the Pontus DAC Steve. I am told it has an update to the original Pontus. It appears to have double the resistor ladders, power supply is larger and is separated from the DAC and has more connection options.
I bought one after watching your video and I concur with you. This is an amazing dac
I was tired of most 2-D sounding Delta-Sigma DACs in the last decade. Until I switched to a Chinese R2R DAC my life is getting happier every day.
I know!! And the hilarious part is that people won't stop saying they measure horrible and they are full of distortion. Oh well... It's up to them to miss such magic. We luckily might have our ears broken or something. To me there is no return after R2R.
I just received Denafrips Pontus . Paired with KEF LS50 Wireless. Inputs are Audiolab 6000cdt and bluesound node2i. Connected via Nordost silver shadow Coaxial Digital cable. Truly amazing sound I ever heard in my house. ( coming from Nad c 388, Nad C 368 , Outlaw rr2160, pioneer elite speakers, Elac Ub5, Elac Amp, KEF R 300 and anthem mrx 720 and musical hall 2.3 turntable . cambridge cd transport. Just mentioned what I had previously ) . Thanks to Steve letting us know this brand and it just happened when I was actually looking for DAC. Also big thanks to Alvin from vinsine Audio, who clarified all my questions. Now I am not sure what to expect further.
Steve can you explain the setup of how you use the dac, from broadband coming in to the message from the dac to the amp. How you select music: computer/ phone etc, and what cables you use and what are the signals eg bit perfect. Great videos, Thanks Freeborn John.
and now 855.00...gotta love it...
Steve, on a side note, you should do an article on exaggerated power ratings by audio companies. The guys over at Audioholics did a great article on the subject. I recently purchased an Onkyo receiver that sounds horrible compared to my Pioneer from 1990. They are putting together a petition to change the way power ratings are listed on boxes.
This has been issue since the 80s at least. Not sure why now its a big deal.
@@scottyo64 Because Sound United is buying up most of the AV receiver companies and perhaps they can lead the industry with honesty in the power numbers for a change.
Just purchased one. Can’t wait to use it with my McIntosh MHA200.
I have not heard the Terminator, all opinions I have heard about it are very favorable. It's $4500.00 US .. A PS Audio Direct Stream is $6000.00 US. I have owned a Direct Stream through two firm-ware updates, and I expect more in the future. It's an FPGA DAC and that's why I bought it, along with the fact that it is made in the USA and customer service is top notch. The Terminator may be a good value for some, but it will always be what it is. I think FPGA technology has advanced DAC's to the next level...
As always, thanks a bunch SteveL
I've picked up the Ares II and so far very happy :)
Steve, I would suggest that your approval of the Denafrips is due to your current obsession with forward-sounding horn speakers. The warm presentation of the Ares is more complimentary in that realm and probably not so much for more laid-back electronics (tubes?) and speakers.
Very presumptive incorrect statement
@ alan connelly - It’s Bills opinion Alan.
So good, Soo good. I waisted too much money on other people's opinions. I have a million DACs . Tired of this chase. They are like new cell phones, "oh look at this, no this one", tomorrow someone is going to sell a better and cheaper one. Okay just one more DAC and that will be the last one, I promise.
@@timgenardo265 Thank you
@@y.k.9705 Thank you for not labeling me as a troll! I simply want people to have the most information they can gather before buying any electronic product whether it be PCs, GPU, or audio equipment.
@@timgenardo265 I didn't know about this sight. Thank you for this info.
Would really want you to please review the NuPrime IDA-8. Always appreciate your unbiased reviews.
Would love to see an Ares II vs Bifrost 2 comparison
I’ve tried both and prefer the Ares II. More natural sounding, the Bifrost is a little more analytical and the highs can be sharp on certain tracks. The Ares might not have the same fidelity, but it’s more analog sounding.
Cheap audio man has reviewed these two in a DAC attack video he made a few months ago.
Hi Steve . I can’t afford the Terminator but still I CAN’T wait for your upcoming review.
Sorry Steve, I just told my wife, you made me buy one. It’s your fault. It’s going to replace an SMSL SU-8 which I’ve enjoyed, but as you said in your review, some DACs sound steely, which the SU-8 can be.
The inside of this DAC reminds me a bit of what my $3200 (R2R) Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC looks like with the addition of a few features the Hex doesn't have. I do love this DAC..... but had this Denafrips been available, I'm not so sure I would have been able to resist the savings it presents.
Steve.. Just saw a blurb on RME ADI 2 DAC with an outstandong headphone capabilities. Seems like it got great reception and is a good value. Any input from you is muchly appreciated.
I've replaced my RME ADI-2 DAC with the Denafrips Ares II. Using loudspeakers, the difference is night and day. I am hearing things I never heard before with the RME or, if I did, weren't as "alive" as they are with the ARES. The RME was dry, like a bell made of a lead alloy, the Ares is like a finely tuned bell, without the lead, just sweet and lively in the highs, and more robust in the mids and lows. I'm still undecided as to whether I will keep the RME and relegate it to IEM/HP use only, or sell it and the ARES and upgrade to the Denafrips Terminator or Holo May. I can't afford any of this, but now that I've discovered that I can realize the true potential of my system with a better DAC, I can't resist.
Omg, Steve. This DAC is really a lot of fun! Thanks for the recommendation.
Same goes for myself. Based on Steve's recommendation and other online reviews I purchased the Ares II. It does have a terrific sound. Though lacking a remote, I wish it had an automatic standby mode.
@@tjp444 I would prefer some sort of gain control. It has too much gain coming out of it.
Wow, because the multi-bit Bifrost is a very good DAC, I liked it better then the Auralic Vega.
I did an AB test between CD n vinyl ... same album. Yes ... the vinyl sounded fuller.
The distributor is just like 4 mins away from my place. Have yet to go listen to them.
Some reviewers say their top of the line DAC, the Terminator, is awesome.
Thanks for the review Steve!
ANY manufacturer/distributor or an establishment doing business on internet that is NOT willing to post their physical address/location on their website should raise flags in a reasonably thinking individual.
www.denafrips.com/
www.vinshineaudio.com/about-us
What was the name of the cd and vinyl album you used for the test.
th-cam.com/video/lzRvSWPZQYk/w-d-xo.html
@@madanielk6526 Are you saying you'd go to China to set things right? I bought my Kinki Studio EX-M1 from Alvin of vinshineaudio.com and couldn't be happier. In fact, it's the last integrated I'll ever buy: it's that good. Read the reviews which have the foreground info on the company. That, and it's relatively easy to find their exact location with an online search. No need to raise red flags as you know what you're getting into right from the start.
" it's relatively easy to find their exact location with an online search".... ??? so the location is NOT clearly stated on their website? And if so, exactly where is it listed?
I've checked vinshineaudio.com for physical address, not visible on the website. ...
Please review the Denefrips Pountus DAC
My Yulong D200 is amazing too. Sold for about $700.
Hey Steve... As an audiophile, would you say the ultimate goal is accuracy in musical reproduction, or simply enjoyment of audio? I hear many audiophiles decry a system or component for "coloring" the sound, but then praise another for its' "warmth" or "richness" or "wide sound stage." Ain't that "coloring" too? If EQing is bad, any equipment that basically EQs the sound by way of it's circuitry should be considered suboptimal by these standards. Curious what your take is on this.
lightfusegetaway I think the goal is to enjoy music! Accuracy? No one truly knows what’s in the recording, even the engineers that made it, because it sounds different on every speaker and every headphone.So the goal is still enjoyment, but if you want to fool yourself to thinking that by having the most accurate system, sure, knock yourself out.
R2R DACs: For the longest time my favorite CD player was a Sony ES player... it was about the last of the R2R DACs just before they switched to 1-bit, and it was very lively and exciting sounding. I did not like the sound of the early 1-bit players. The Sony was my main player until it started skipping, and I got an Oppo. The Oppo was more refined, but it did lack the dynamics and excitement of the R2R DACs.
Vinshine Audio recently announced that they have US service representatives now. I confirmed that they will service Denafrips products.
Very good to know! I just received my new Ares ii last week. Thank you!
@@LeoRousseau i have my ares 2 for abt half a year, you have to run in this dac. as the low end would become much more palpable and authoritative, it was amazing!
Thanks for the review. I went ahead and picked up one a few weeks ago....just got it about a week ago. So far, I love it. There have a couple of glitches that I'm working with them on, but so far so good. Question for you Steve. Do you have any experience with the Denafrips Preamp and Amp? The Hestia and Hyperion.
Steve, gotta call a spade a spade. So you talk and talk all about this dac. Awesome. You dont mention any other component that you had it connected to??! Very strange. What source, pre, speakers was it in line with? It makes a difference, people want to know.
Ryan Schipp Mac mini, Oppo 203, pass hpa 1 as a preamp, pass xa25 amp, klipsch forte 111
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks Steve I'm sure this will help guide people give them more reference
Hi Steve, did you also tried the different inputs? Did you prefer USB over SPDIF (or the other way around) or are they the same from a sound quality perspective?
Fascinating review Steve. I've always been a fan of ladder R2R DACS ever since hearing the original Philips TDA-1540 and TDA-1541 back in the early / mids 80's. As always, it's all about the sound. Sounds like your smitten with this DAC. Even better considering the price point.
The Ares is my current DAC at my system...we compare to other and is a incredible sounding Dac for the money. We test it against a Chord Chordette 2qute battery powered in a ultra high resolution system and...sounds equals with better bass and slam and more musical engaging than the 2qute but with less resolution. Ah...the Chord here cost 4 times more...so...until i can swap by a Pontus, will be my dac of choice.
The manufacturer’s return/refund policy, from their website:
“We run an honest business, we strive to keep the cost low, therefore, effectively pass down the saving to you, our customer. We do not support return / refund of any product. Thank you for your kind understanding.”
So, better be sure before sending your $680 to this Chinese company.
Good to know.
Thanks!
Buy it through Mike Powell Audio, I believe his company sells these.
Purchased into the Chinese made hifi with three Cambridge audio class XD amplifiers ( yes I know! ) all failed prematurely! The last one turned itself up to full volume and nearly blew up my speakers. With the returns policy you described. Steve should have perhaps included that important fact in the review.
Why would you return it? Only if defective.
@@scottyo64 Not any more, Mike dumped them because they were a non-serialized product with no warranty and was uncomfortable recommending these to his customers. He also stated that the owner of the company was very difficult to work with. Seems like a very risky purchase from my perspective.
so this thing seems to communicate music - unusual in digital kit. Must hear one at home somehow.
good review..
Please review the Dutch & Dutch 8c because I think it would change your mind about active “audiophile” speakers. Puts the BW Duos to shame, but for $13,000 it better.
Thks Steve, Denafrips was on my shortlist so I'm glad to hear your thoughts on it Vs Schiit and Border Patrol. Now I'm wondering curiously on the SQ difference between their 4 Dac models
Is it better than the Chord Mojo ? If so how does it compare to the Chord Qutest Dac ?
John Darko feels the same about the Terminator.
Anyone know what settings Steve used? NOS, OS, slow, sharp
I just wonder whether with OS or NOS the sound is better and which digital filter?
Great review of this most interesting DAC. Out of curiosity, what digital music source(s) did you use with the Ares?
Would have been nice if he had replied
Something weird about the Ares II. If your are A/B testing it, as audiophiles are wont to do, in order to get it running again after you take it off the system, you must turn it on before connecting an input cable. XLR, coax or USB. Otherwise, it won't lock onto the signal. You may have disconnected it fully, but it doesnt matter. It needs to boot up first before any input cable is attached. Weird, inconvenient, but an easy enough fix when you figure it out.
Ill stick to Burr Brown it cost me 70 dollars. I like burning cd:s from wav.
I owned the Bifrost Unison DAC when I bought n blind tested the ARES II. After a month of going back n forth, not knowing which unit was playing (blind testing) the two units we’re undistinguishable. The statement of the Bifrost being flat and edgy by comparison is quite imaginative. Don’t get me wrong, I respect Steve but until he does blind testing of electronics, they are heavily biased. I use the Ares II because it has balanced out outputs, not because it’s more “analog”, because it’s not.
In your opinion and using your gear that may well be true.
ENOG2 Pro DAC with balanced out, $180, made in Merica.
I love the ENOG2 Pro, and I love the sound of most AK4493 DACS and really anything that AKM makes. I wonder how the ENOG 2 compares to something like the Denafrips, which uses a totally different approach?
@Steve do you find that this analog like sonic presentation is a well tuned “benign” coloration? Do all your records sound the same through this DAC? Would you get tired of it after the first “wow”? Like a tube system that’s too syrupy?
My guess is that with complexe scenes it produces less intermodular distortions. Well I know it measures like an r2r but the way it images cannot lie, instruments are cut within space and the brain even put textures on top. This is not a tweak of the equalizer or the introduction of some harmonics, its precision. it doesnt have a flavour other then its palpable, substanciated, materialized. Its producing a vivid effect on listening. there are cues that the brain uses to locate the instruments that just seems to come out and work with this dac.
Well the Audio-gd r28 should interest you then..
Btw a comparison would be nice.
If your every close to Panama City Florida, I have rig you might want to listen to consisting of the KlipschCornwall III in Indian Rosewood, Primaluna Dialogue Premium Preamp, Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP amp, plus a FirstWatt SIT 3 and Carver Crimson 275 and an OPPO 203. My DAC is a PS Audio Directstream but I also have a DENAFRIPS Terminator on the way. The low end is supported by a REL S5 SHO. Lastly my conditioner is an IsoTek Aquarius, All in a dedicated acoustically treated room. You are cordially invited.
That's very kind of you sir. We will ship your Terminator soonest possible :)
So Denafrips ares is better than legendary Wadia.
Amazing and amazing value also.
I bought one for my private system after the review and I like it a lot. As Steve said, it's sounding very analogue. I found it to react pretty well on mechanical support. I used one of the weights made by Thixar and it was like switching off a dynamic compressor. Not a small improvement, We tried it blind and we could hear it within seconds. This little DAC has great potential! For my engineering system, I might stick with my Marantz SA-10, but for my private fun, this is the one to go with. It got something organic and fluid that is hard to ignore. For everybody, who is only interested in details, go somewhere else. If you want to hear the soul of the music without any harshness, get an Ares :-) Just my 2c
Thanks, Karl. Terminator for you?
@@VinshineAudio , no idea if I can find one here in Germany :-).
It's a pity the new Ares II just came out shortly after I bought the original one. Why do manufacturers no co-ordinate the reviews, so customers don't feel bad a couple of weeks after they bought a new unit? I could not find any further information about the changes but I'm hunting around already for a different R-2R DAC, as I like the principle, but do not feel very comfortable about buying an old unit just before the new one came out. As I bought it directly, it must have been known by the seller for sure :-(
Please review the Denafrips Venus!
It's an amazing value... I have had one of the bigger models.. still amazing value
Which one did you have
Not relevant for DAC to DAC comparisons but if you're comparing to analog it would help to know what source you are using. Anyway, thanks for reviewing this. I was interested in Darko's review of the Terminator but at 4K it wasn't something that got me motivated.
My turntable is a SME 15, with an Ortofon Cadenza Blue.
Great video! Do you think you will ever review ps audio’s directstream dac? I would love to hear your thoughts on that dac. Wish you the best!
Ditto
Hi Steve. Would love to know your impressions on the Pro-Ject Audio DAC Box RS.
Any chance of a "MUSICIAN Pegasus" review - supposed extraordinary value for money - even compared with Denafrips models - Thanks for the great channel
Hello Steve.
Thank you for your review!
I think another chinese brand you should also try is Audio-GD.
I have their R8 DAC and its an incredible machine. Some people claim that it can compete with DACs costing MUCH more (3 or 4 times more). I think it should be on your list for future reviews.
I requested one as well, and... aaaaaannddddd.. I'm still requesting it.
PrimaLuna just released a Tube DAC. Is this a trend?
It's not a dominate trend, but it's been around for awhile. I haven't heard the new PL one, but I have heard a few that I enjoyed. Musical Paradise comes to mind.
I'm with Carl Ryan. Tubes don't convert a digital signal to analog. You need a microchip or in the case of the Ares an array or ladder of resistors, hence a ladder DAC.
Would you recommend the ares over the border patrol and Bifrost 2
I just got the Denafrips Ares ii today and put it to the test. And wow ! All my dreams collapsed ! Let me break it up to points:
Pros:
The sound has been altered to sound like a wide sound stage... so there is a perception that the sound has a wide soundstage
Pretty straightforward and easy to operate
Cons:
1) Even though the soundstage appears to be wide but this is very irregular. The vocal sound is wide (Unnaturally!) but then a lot of the instruments have their soundstage much smaller sounding more like a matchbox of the instrument rather than the instrument itself! This unrealistic difference in the size of the soundstage between vocals and instruments creates a very unnatural and disturbing overall soundstage
2) The high frequencies are pretty disturbing to listen to as there is an accentuation and edginess of the high frequencies
3) Everything is thin. The bass, the midrange ...etc. So most of the flavor of listening across the spectrum is lost as nothing is presented truly to its magnitude
4) Loss of resolution! There is a loss of the sound data in many cases especially when it is in the low midrange and low frequencies. What is perceived as details is I think the accentuation of the higher frequencies which give the misleading feeling of extra detail and airiness
5) Completely unnatural. Probably this is the worst part. After 10 min of listening you would want to turn of the audio off as this very unnatural sound starts creeping into your head and gives you a headache. I uninstalled The Denafrips ARES II from my system and I'm so relieved !
6) This DAC gives you the Archetype of the typical digital sound. The sound is cold, harsh and edgy. It is very far from the promised Analog like sound.
I'm putting my comments in several youtubers' comment section to make sure you are informed before buying
Sorry for my previous reporting about the Ares II. This was entirely my mistake with the wiring that goes out of the DAC and into the Amplifier. Once that problem was fixed, the results were Jaw Dropping ! The artists and musicians are in the room. Every instrument sounds exactly the way it sounds in reality. The richness, impact and details of the instruments are the exact thing you expect to get if you get that instrument and play it in the room. The power of drums, the richness of electric or acoustic guitars and the reality of vocals are as if you are physically present with the artists and the instruments. I know this since I play several musical instruments myself. Excluding perfect vinyl recordings, this is the most realistic sound I've ever heard. I had a rough beginning with it due to wrong wiring... but once the problem got fixed, the results were jaw dropping ! I have used many expensive DACs before, but nothing comes close... I'm truly sorry to anyone who has been misled by my previous impression. That was totally my mistake and had nothing to do with the DAC itself.
@@bedrosdaoudian8927 what was the mistake with the wiring that you made?
Border Patrol is not as good as the Lab12 dac which uses 8 of the Phillips chip instead of 1, and the Lab12 has higher resolution and sounds a lot more open and balanced while maintaining that amazing liquid organic sound.
Steve please try the dacs from Metrum audio (Holland) and it will rock you world again 😌
Thanks Steve, I am looking for something just like this and I can't/won't buy anything made in the USA (President Chump, trade war, tariffs on our steel and aluminium, yada yada...). Love your videos.
President Trump is fixing the huge mess so called trade war democrats and others fid nithi G about. That's a very good thing. You need to learn basic economics before spreading common liberal myths and lies.
@@airgliderz My first reaction was to assume you must be stupid and so abuse you for thinking you know anything. That was wrong so I will just lay out the facts. I am not a US citizen. I used to buy US products and I was proud to as my grandfather told me our countries were allies. Since you elected (or the electoral college appointed) Trump I have stopped buying anything made in the USA if there is an alternative product from anywhere else, because your president started a trade war that has impacted on my country even though that wasn't his intent. It is now the USA against everyone else, and I am part of everyone else, so I try to buy nothing from businesses based in your country. Trump can boost the US economy in the short term by banning trade with China on some goods. But long term it will bite you. Companies all over the world that use US technology and pay a license to incorporate it in their own products are now looking to replace that tech so they can continue to trade with China. Trump will have long term consequences for your country as the USA can no longer be assumed to be part of the global supply chain. My advice to you is to stop watching Fox News and try to understand the world as other see it. Try to understand that every action has a reaction. The USA was great when it was the leader of free nations trading freely and fairly with all. Isolationism has never made you strong. Oh and try to treat refugees as humans, what your government is doing on its southern border is on our news every week. We see it and we judge you for it.
Out of curiosity, I tried the XLR output of this DAC, WOW. If anyone has the ability to try single ended vs XLR on this unit, please tell me if I am imagining the difference.
Xlr connection simply adds 6 db compared to rca....that is your percieved WOW.
@@ryanschipp8513 do you own one? Have you listened to one through a fully balanced system for a meaningful time?
@@veniceog I do not own one. Just pointing out that all XLR connections boost level 6db. This is an engineering fact. That's all. When the human ear hears louder...we often convey that is better sounding or a wow factor. If heard it in my balanced gear. For what it is worth I have 3 rigs in my place...not saying I know all facets of hifi but I am very versed. Look up xlr versus rca and you will see the consensus.
@@ryanschipp8513 Ah. Moving on. Life is about experiences. Expertise from the intermet? Hard pass.
@@veniceog ok. I guess you know better than audio engineers. Dont educate yourself. That's your choice.
Pro ably why they called it bifrost sounds cold lol
Buyers be aware because almost all TH-camrs don’t mention it, this DAC can’t be use for gaming and media consumption, because of a 2/3 seconds delay.
Not being able to control volume in Windows is a deal breaker. Edit: Denafrips says firmware 3.14 allows USB mixer volume control (3.12 is stock, no volume control).
Steve has done it again found a bargain item better for $$ less which we had more reviewers like him!
I still wouldn't cal lit a bargain at AUD $1200...but, I guess if you're on a shite of income...
It’s no bargain. And the manufacturer doesn’t offer refunds if you don’t like it.
@@rc2257 isn't that every manufacturer though?
Please check out the Geshelli labs Enog 2 pro. It is much cheaper, and it is made from cheaper components. It looks weird, is shaped weird, and can be a little bizarre, like anything else from Florida, but it is a great deal. If you need a DAC, need balanced output, want good sound, but don't want to pay a lot, check it out.
I'm more interested in the tube amps from China. Weird names, but nice looking, supposedly PTP wiring, readily available preamp tubes & EL34/KT88 output tubes. You can get them on Amazon & they mostly get good reviews, but aren't exactly cheap in my book, being several hundred USD.
Yaqin MC 13S
Muzishare X5
adam brown price is tempting. Though everything we own in our homes are one way or another sourced from China. I’m sure some parts of my components are sourced from China. Though it goes to an American owned company that employs American citizens.
It was a tough call purchasing my Dynaudio special 40’s. Though made in Europe. They are owned by a private Chinese corporation.
Thanks for your honest review. Can you give me your opinion about which Denafrips could be best to upgrade my system, Ares II or Pontus ? I already have a Ak4490 in my Atoll IN200 signature used to listen music with my Mac and a Burr-Brown PCM1792 in my Atoll CD200 signature for CDs. Also I have Dali Opticon 5 as loud speakers. Will I upgrade something with Denafrips ?
Hey Steve, Dave here. Looks like the Bifrost you had on hand for this review was an older Bifrost. Have you had a chance to compare the Ares to the newer Bifrost 2? Based on your listening preferences and their close price points, I would think this would be a better and obvious comparison. Anyone else with experience with both?
I would hate to buy something like this and it's only a subtle change to what I currently own. Lateral movement purchases are annoying. I would have to actually hear one in person before purchasing.
Always the best way to go.
Yeah, no return is a big downer...
How much have DACs improved in recent years? I have a Mark Levinson 390s and when you talk about the denefrips for relativity, how close is that to my 390s?
The Metrum Flint is another ladder worth climbing Steve.
It's not R2R, it's NOS.
Can you give info on some speakers and gear you used this dac with.
Steve, all those capacitors, haw long will they last. Some of the ones in my Marantz 2270 have already died and it is only about 40 years old.
Shut up, u mucking foron and give credit where its due. This Chinese DAC walked all over the Made in Murka piece of shiit Dac.
Just keep replacing the capacitors every 40 years
@pt265 yeh, me too. Unless I live to be 116 years old!