[Reggy]

Hi. I've migrated to the next step: Denafrips Pontus DAC + XRK SHD20 transport. One of the best combination for real money, I think.

Look's like a good setup to go for. Did you do some comparisons to the Ares, or did you sell the Ares than buy the Pontus, I'm curious on your take on the Pontus compared to the Ares. Anything inferior in the Ares to speak of?

 

[PitBul34]

Did you do some comparisons to the Ares

Yes I did. Please read this page.( DAC-8PRO2 is predecessor of Pontus with the same sound signature).

 

[Elpampeano]

Denafrips Ares at home ! 10 days to Argentina by EMS...Now the 100 hs of break in...but stone cold like it's is, blows away my SMSL 1955+ with linear power supply and Tenor bridge...First class service of Alvin, top notch.

 

[Elpampeano]

 

[Elpampeano]

 

[alvin1118]

Thank you @Elpampeano! Enjoy the music.

Rgds,
Alvin

 

[mock-up]

EXLUSIVE Denafrips factory tour

https://www.dastereo.ru/t/dastereo-v-gostyah-u-denafrips-denafrips-factory-tour/19735

 

[hornytoad]

Well I received my Ares and played it only for about 15 minutes as I'm busy right now.

I'm extremely impressed and it only cost 600 some dollars delivered to the U.S.

Not sure I have heard a dac I like better under 1K and I have listened to many from Chord, Schiit, Arcam, Marantz,Topping,KEf wireless dac,etc.

 

[Rhamnetin]

So I got a Venus as my first R2R DAC. First thing I noticed is reduced treble extension, went from 20 KHz with a Hugo 2 down to 18 KHz. I wonder, is this what R2R DAC fans prefer about R2R DACs? Reduced treble extension? I prefer to hear everything I can hear in reality, so as extended a frequency as possible for me.

 

[alvin1118]

Hello, please try to keep the DAC on all the time. Customers reported that they hear improvement as it warm up.

Some say a 1000hrs of burn in helps. It's a good idea to try that

 

[hornytoad]

So I got a Venus as my first R2R DAC. First thing I noticed is reduced treble extension, went from 20 KHz with a Hugo 2 down to 18 KHz. I wonder, is this what R2R DAC fans prefer about R2R DACs? Reduced treble extension? I prefer to hear everything I can hear in reality, so as extended a frequency as possible for me.

So you can hear the difference between 20 and 18 kHz?

 

[Rhamnetin]

So you can hear the difference between 20 and 18 kHz?

Well the bigger thing I hear is overall more laid back treble, that's true. The difference of 2 KHz treble extension probably has little effect on its own.

 

[Reggy]

It sounds like your use to the "shrill highs" of the chord hugo. https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/24/17273218/chord-hugo-2-review-dac-headphone-amplifier
Perhaps the characteristic treble of the Chord Hugo compensated with whatever headphones or speakers you were using.

 

[Rhamnetin]

It sounds like your use to the "shrill highs" of the chord hugo. https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/24/17273218/chord-hugo-2-review-dac-headphone-amplifier
Perhaps the characteristic treble of the Chord Hugo compensated with whatever headphones or speakers you were using.

Nothing shrill about them, the Stax SR-009 reveals how clean that treble is. But yeah the Hugo 2 is a lot brighter, also much less smooth sounding in all frequencies.

 

[D2Girls]

@alvin1118 re: the denafrips terminator dac, when is the upgrade for dsd512 coming? i read that its a new board that is to be implemented.