This is a biased take, read along with that in mind. Been using the mimbyv2 for over last 10 months, wanting to sample r2r magic. Loved the mimby for what it does, coming from both AKM and DS dac before it. Bifrost2 was my first choice given the shining recommendations its got everywhere. About 2 months went by and i had to really think hard on the choice between the 2, keeping my listening choices in mind.
@GoldenOne nailed the reviews of both, accurately providing descriptions of what these dacs do. Finally pulled the trigger on the Ares2 a week back to try a non-schiit house sounding R2R dac.
100 plus hours of break in..dac went through its motions, and it gets better everyday.. So far in, I'm floored, sold, hook line and sinker..!!
What an r2r gem, mind blowingly fantastic dac!! In a properly set up 2 channel stereo system, this dac completely transforms your listening experience. That surreal sense of holography in music is presented so beautifully and accurately, much like a vinyl rig. If you want to connect with the music at a deeper level than just your ears, this is the one for it. So you like tube sound, this is a must have non tube alternate.
Its ability to project an open wide stage, superb imaging and seperation, deep tight bass, light airy treble and absolutely euphonic midrange really makes this absolutely worth the price. One of the best features is its ability to throw a deep sounstage with good space around instruments. It may sound clichéd, but i hear details i dint hear before especially the quiter parts of a song. Everything in the song has its distinct place and it doesn't sound like it's a playback of a song. You hear it all around you like it's real, in the room with subtle aspects presented in the right measure. There is ample layering, no sound overlapping another, and with all the details intact, i. e. quite resolving. It really opens up an endless space both deep and wide, which makes complex tracks with multiple instrumental arrangements a joy to listen to. Tracks like Four seasons recomposed (NDR philharmonic), Jazz variants (Ozone Percussion Group) are delivered with sublime presence, resolution and soundscape. Speed and attack are great, with just the right measure of snap, especially paired with planars like Hifiman Sundara or forward sounding speakers. Another trick ups is sleeve is reverb and brings out sense of space, makes live recordings very real.. The imaging is brilliant in terms of size, scale and positioning accuracy. Timbre, tonality is spot on which makes jazz, vocals, violins, acoustic an absolute pleasure with the HD650/6XX pairing. The SS is 'euphonic' and natural (looking at you
@Relaxasaurus), just the way music should sound.
Compared with multibit dacs, this has accurate bass but has lesser punch/bloom/bulk in bass. Bass drums dont have that chesty impact that one gets from the multibit dacs, though that difference is subtle and mostly evident on bass light headphones. While that may sound like a sacrifice, Ares II is definitely better at everything else. If you are a bass head, get the Multibit R2R.
If you are chasing intimate natural sound, accurate timber, tonality, exceptional presence and reverb, fantastic resolution and treble (without sounding metallic/crispy/sharp like DS dacs), this dac can as well be your end game for a long time to come.
Yes this is very close to analog sound. Now who doesn't want a vinyl like records library of +65 million songs collection (using Tidal)? Do you enjoy hours and hours of musical engagement thats not a hyper detailed, in your face wall of sound? Does music move you within? If yes, you won't regret getting an ares2.
This is a keeper and im going to be very satisfied for a very very long time. Just ensure you set up your rig properly to really extract what this dac has to offer and you will be delighted every time you press that play button!!
