Thanks for the info.

Yes I think for the price Serenade is a very good sounding solid state amp. But then when I go back to tubes it does not compare. I am running Denafrips ARCE into Venus II then fully balanced into Woo Audio WA22 for one system. Another setup is Eversolo WA6 Masters with upgraded linear power...

Actually Hifiman customer service stated that the newer models have dropped the bluetooth feature but that mine had received the older firmware by mistake and needed an update. As for Verite I actually like best with Woo Audio WA22 fully balanced amplifier. I have also tried ZMF headphones with...

A follow up to the question on XLR vs RCA inputs - there should be a sound difference. The XLR needs to be converted to single ended by an opamp or transformer or the amp is just tapping one pin on the XLR conection. For Chord DACs definitely use the RCA inputs as they are natively single...

From my experience with HE1000SE, Utopia, ZMF Verite, Meze Elite.....the Seranade seems voiced best with the HE1000SE. It seems it is made best for Hifiman headphones. I am returning mine. I got too many excuses and nonsense from their customer service about the bluetooth issue. And with other...

Hifiman customer service has reported back that the new version does not have bluetooth but I should not have that option on the input menu so likely I have an old or wrong firmware. Just waiting for them to reply back with a firmware download or some other info.

Hifiman listing shows photos with both a bluetooth antenna connection on the back and then another photo without it in the same listing for $999. I was wondering what is the latest hardware version? Either they had bluetooth originally and it had issues so they deleted it or they did not have...

I just received the Serenade direct from Hifiman. It does not have Bluetooth even though it is an option on the input menu. Does anyone know if it is the oriiginal version or is the non-bluetooth the latest version they are producing? I would have liked to have the bluetooth version. It...

Default settings for both units with HDMI cable.

The Element S is undergoing Roon certification but that process is not complete yet so Roon does not allow you to add it as an endpoint. You can use it with Roon thru Airplay etc. I have compared to a Pi 2 Design Mercury 2 with its I2S connection and they sound very similar. Very difficult to...

The Aries 12th is more neutral sounding but still a slightly warm sounding DAC. Overall a better sounding DAC than Aries II. The USB connection has been improved.

I have the Element S. I am using it with Denafrips Venus II thru I2S connection. The main reason I purchased it was for the I2S connection. The I2S connection is superior to USB with Denafrips. It is very clear, articulate, with good width and depth of soundstage. USB sounds slightly veiled in...

I checked with the sound files and everything works properly in the default settings (as from the factory).

I²S Pinout Configuration 1. Select I²S Input 2. Press the Mute button once to enter configuration mode 3. Toggle the I²S button momentarily, 1X 2X 4X will turn on/off in a fixed pattern to denote binary 000-111 4. Wait for 3s 5. DAC back in operational mode I²S DSD Channel Swap Configuration 1...

Sounds like the Aries 12th is not in default configuration. I hooked up mine to the Mercury 2 with HDMI and it work fine. Anyway the procedure is part way down this page. When in doubt read the manual. :) https://www.denafrips.com/config-ares-12th

To the OP if you listen to a decent tube amp and then a decent solid state amp you will understand there is a difference. I have a hard time enjoying anything solid state anymore. In a general sense solid state has a flatter sound stage. I find it less "organic" or "3D" or "natural" sounding...