Coincidentally, my black Ares 12th-1 also arrived today via FedEx, but my shipping was much faster. Where do you live? I ordered it last Wednesday from Vinshine in Singapore and it shipped on Friday, within the 1-2 day window as promised but not from Singapore as I expected but from Guangzhou, China (I assume directly from Denafrips, which is located there). It was delivered this morning (Monday) in New Jersey. Can't argue with that. It probably helps that I live only a few miles from Newark Airport.
I've been listening through the day with the Hifiman Arya Stealth through the Monolith Liquid Platinum (which I plan to replace in a few months--I'm saving), streaming Qobuz from my laptop through USB. I listened to some of my favorite albums that I know very well: The Who's Who's Next, Joni Mitchell's Blue, Van Morrison's Moondance, Lou Reed's Transformer, Echo & The Bunnymen's Heaven Up Here. FWIW, I think these were all 24-bit versions. (I didn't listen to Whole Lotta Love, but almost got to Led Zeppelin IV, but we'll do that one tomorrow.) I'm not good at describing sound, and it certainly wasn't (and I didn't expect) a night and day difference from the pretty decent delta sigma Topping D90 (OG AKM 4499 version) that it replaced. There did seem to be a bit better separation and depth in the soundstage and it seemed to add a tiny bit of welcome warmth to the Arya Stealth and bass guitars were just slightly more present. Which is good since a lack of bass quantity is one of the very few nits I can pick with the Arya (though bass quality is wonderful).