I feel rather foolish having to ask this question but here goes. I have the original Ares II and it has been used in 230V since purchase. I am moving back to the USA in 2 weeks and taking my dac with me. It has a voltage switch on the bottom so I expect all I would have to do is flip the switch...

I have the original Ares II. I have about 15 hours on this new 1.8 version. I have been in electronics for many years, now retired. I have no explanation for it but there is a burn in issue with this software upgrade. It sounds much better after several hours. I cannot explain that but the...

This is what makes our individual experience so interesting. We each have different equipment. I find the 1.8 brighter than 1.6. I also find it more 3D (possibly because it is brighter). On my system I would not call 1.8 as warm as the original 1.0. I will give it time I just flashed a few...

I am compulsive about updates so I updated my original Ares II to the version 1.8 firmware this morning. This is a completely different sound than the 1.6 firmware I had previously installed. It is so different that I was not prepared for this massive difference. It is so different that I will...

I put it in unsigned driver mode each time. I am using windows 11. I find that windows 11 has so many safe guards built in that bypassing them all is not so easy. Your system may vary.

This is almost funny. I have the original Aries II and upgraded it to 1.6 when that came out. I enjoy that so much I am afraid to even try 1.8 in case something goes wrong. Honestly I find the 1.6 version on my Ares II such an improvement I am not sure I want to upgrade to 1.8. I am a compulsive...

I have had this amp for about a year. I also have a Cayin tube amp. This amp is a dead silent background in my use. I think your may have a defective amp or you have something producing RF nearby. Of course there is always the possibility of your wall power causing this problem. These noise...

I really don't think the akg 712 gets the praise it deserves. I listen mostly to classical music and in fact I am using them as I type this. I own several headphones some much more expensive and I keep reaching for these. I did change the cable and the ear pads shortly after I got them and that...

Mine is set on NOS because I use HQPlayer as the front end for all playback in DSD512. Remarkable program that adds so many options it is certain to bring a smile to anyone.

On my Ares II after the upgrade the sound is definitely not digital. It is a glorious upgrade on my system. The most obvious difference is the spatial representation both depth and width. All the things I liked about the Ares II is still very present but more defined and much better focus. I...

On my Windows 11 computer it showed up exactly as yours did on your Windows 10. I also got the code 044 after the update but the update was installed and works perfectly on my Ares II. I have read some posts that said the difference was minor but in my case I found it to be quit a dramatic...

You are one of many that have had this experience with that error code on Windows 11. Check the Denafrips driver in Windows to see what it shows. I did the update for my Ares II and thought it had failed. Then checked the information in the driver and found it was successful. Sonically after I...

This is not the exact cable I have as I have had it for several years and cannot remember where I got it. But, it is the same idea and design as this one: https://www.speakerboxthai.com/product/707/pangea-audio-premier-xl-twin-lead-usb-cable-%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7-1-5m

I have a usb cable that is split so that the power and the data is handled by a separate usb connection. I do understand that the Ares 2 has a coax and optical connection but I have never used it on this or any other dac. The cable is supposed to prevent noise from the power connection. I have...

It seems that there is a substantial difference with the Ares II update. I have an Ares 2 I purchased late in 2020. The firmware update took a very good dac and transformed it into a much better dac in many respects. I am totally satisfied with the improvement. It is not subtle. The Ares...

The biggest issue is if the two channels are in the same phase. If the channels were out of phase with each other you would be getting a substantial lack of focus. Things would sound diffuse. Particularly any center image. If the channels are in the same phase a surprising number of people...

Just to be clear, you spent 50 UK pounds on the fuse for your Ares II? I just want to be clear on that point.

Same, I'm listening to mine as I type this. Totally black background. PC 3 feet away. Router 5 feet away. If I move the router closer it injects RF into everything. I love this amp. I have others including the Cayin SS amp so I switch around but this HA-1A MK2 is a keeper.

Well, that graph doesn't lie. I think the issue is settled unless they literally change phase in production (highly unlikely). So light off equals positive phase. This explains why that was the default condition when the dac was delivered. It would make no sense for the default to be out of...

Alvin should comment on this. In the meantime. Out of phase will case a reduction in bass and some smearing of the image in the midrange. Not all recordings will make this easy to detect. If you go through your collection and look for a good well recorded sample perhaps with a voice in the mids...

I am guessing they may have changed that after the firmware upgrade? I also took my post directly from their pdf manual

Interesting in my manual is just the opposite That certainly leaves room for some discussion.

I will agree with you that it was warmer before the upgrade. I have tube amps and solid state amps. While it is not quite as warm it is more detailed and I am not getting any harsh or treble glare. Could be that I'm using HQPlayer which is an improvement to any system. Also allows me to select...

I totally agree it does sound like a different dac after the upgrade. The most obvious thing is the 3D soundstage. I would guess the brightness you refer to could be caused by your associated equipment. In my system I am not getting the brightness you describe. We all have different associated...

Sorry I forgot to mention an important Setting on Windows 11 that you must turn off while doing this. Under security, Device Security, Core Management, turn off Local Security Authority. That will block unsigned drivers or unknown code from running. Just turn it back on when you are finished. It...