DENAFRIPS 'ARES' R2R discrete ladder DAC - close up view

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hello all, I ordered my first Denafrips the other day, and have been reading thru this thread for a few days. I am very excited to get this dac as I am a huge fan of the R2R style of dac, but this is my first, (not last) go round with Denafrips. I ordered from Vinshine Audio, and I see that @alvin1118 is an active and participating member of this thread, which is fantastic within itself!!

Anyone that could point me to best practices for the Ares II, I am by no means new to this hobby, but I am new to Vinshine and Denafrips.

Hope you all have a great weekend, and of course...

Cheers!!

 

[Slade01]

Anyone that could point me to best practices for the Ares II, I am by no means new to this hobby, but I am new to Vinshine and Denafrips.

One of the main "best practices" point that comes out often is centered around the last two previous posts concerning connecting two devices at the same time:

"The RCA and XLR output are shared, please use either of the output at a time. It is not recommended to use both RCA and XLR output simultaneously."

The consequence is that obviously, connecting the dac to two (active/on) output devices simultaneously will cause sound quality degradation. Alvin has a workaround for that, which he just posted that would split the xlr connections into two pairs of RCA by way of custom cables.

One of the primary things to keep in mind. Or if you have two amps (e.g. one balanced, one RCA connects) that you connect to with the ares feeding into it, but only using it one at a time, many of us connect them via a switch, and only using one device actively.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

One of the main "best practices" point that comes out often is centered around the last two previous posts concerning connecting two devices at the same time:

"The RCA and XLR output are shared, please use either of the output at a time. It is not recommended to use both RCA and XLR output simultaneously."

The consequence is that obviously, connecting the dac to two (active/on) output devices simultaneously will cause sound quality degradation. Alvin has a workaround for that, which he just posted that would split the xlr connections into two pairs of RCA by way of custom cables.

One of the primary things to keep in mind. Or if you have two amps (e.g. one balanced, one RCA connects) that you connect to with the ares feeding into it, but only using it one at a time, many of us connect them via a switch, and only using one device actively.

Hey @Slade01 Thanks so much for that! I believe I know you from the DarkV thread, Ann I wrong??

Yes that is one of the things I planned for in terms of using a switch, as I do used balanced and unbalanced in some of my systems.

Thanks again!! Can't wait!

 

[Slade01]

Hey @Slade01 Thanks so much for that! I believe I know you from the DarkV thread, Ann I wrong??

Not wrong. I frequent the DV tube rolling threads a lot so I am well acquainted over there (and their hijinks). Lol.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Not wrong. I frequent the DV tube rolling threads a lot so I am well acquainted over there (and their hijinks). Lol.

Hijinks is a good word for it!!

 

[dougms3]

Guide: Can i connect the DAC output to two devices?

Alvin, the dac is excellent. I love it and have no complaints but that issue with both outputs being used simultaneously should be listed on the product page or at least in the manual.

I was getting severe distortion and wasted time thinking it was an issue with one of my cables.

Its not an issue for me as long I know about it but it may be a dealbreaker for some people.

 

[550591]

Alvin, the dac is excellent. I love it and have no complaints but that issue with both outputs being used simultaneously should be listed on the product page or at least in the manual.

I was getting severe distortion and wasted time thinking it was an issue with one of my cables.

Its not an issue for me as long I know about it but it may be a dealbreaker for some people.

Is the issue while using both outputs or only when both are connected?

My cxn v2 has XLR and RCA outs and I both connected and I'm able to use both without distortion

 

[Mozbach]

I've posted a review of the Ares 2 here:


It's a great DAC for the money, though it's not actually a NOS dac

and now that you have done all 3 reviews (Ares II, Bifrost 2 and Chord), u MUST do a comparative review.. plenty of ppl out there wud want to hear your take on it. Saying BF2 is fun flavour (while its labelled Mini Yggy) is all good, but compared to the Ares II, how would you differentiate the 2? Reason i ask is that while you say ARES II is resolving, there are more reviews that say BF2 is more detailed, albeit laid back.

wud be great if you or FMs can draw a comparative (other than whats already out there from Midfiguy, Cheapaudioman, etc.)

Cheers!!

 

[sajunky]

Is the issue while using both outputs or only when both are connected?

My cxn v2 has XLR and RCA outs and I both connected and I'm able to use both without distortion

Once you have both plugs in place there is a technical problem. I would follow official advice and connect only one a time, even I can't hear distortions.

 

[john57]

Alvin, the dac is excellent. I love it and have no complaints but that issue with both outputs being used simultaneously should be listed on the product page or at least in the manual.

I was getting severe distortion and wasted time thinking it was an issue with one of my cables.

Its not an issue for me as long I know about it but it may be a dealbreaker for some people.

It is listed in the manual.

"(3) Analog Audio Signal Output Balanced output via XLR (pin2 hot), singled ended output via RCA. The Ares II is a true balanced DAC, we recommend using balanced output whenever possible. The RCA and XLR output are shared, please use either of the output at a time. It is not recommended to use both RCA and XLR output simultaneously"

I have the Topping D90 in addition, and it does not like to drive both outputs even when there is setting on the unit to drive both.

 

[GoldenSound]

and now that you have done all 3 reviews (Ares II, Bifrost 2 and Chord), u MUST do a comparative review.. plenty of ppl out there wud want to hear your take on it. Saying BF2 is fun flavour (while its labelled Mini Yggy) is all good, but compared to the Ares II, how would you differentiate the 2? Reason i ask is that while you say ARES II is resolving, there are more reviews that say BF2 is more detailed, albeit laid back.

wud be great if you or FMs can draw a comparative (other than whats already out there from Midfiguy, Cheapaudioman, etc.)

Cheers!!

Unfortunately I can't really do this unless I have all three here with me. These DACs aren't mine personally, they were borrowed from friends and viewers, so they go back once the video is done.

 

[dougms3]

It is listed in the manual.

"(3) Analog Audio Signal Output Balanced output via XLR (pin2 hot), singled ended output via RCA. The Ares II is a true balanced DAC, we recommend using balanced output whenever possible. The RCA and XLR output are shared, please use either of the output at a time. It is not recommended to use both RCA and XLR output simultaneously"

I have the Topping D90 in addition, and it does not like to drive both outputs even when there is setting on the unit to drive both.

Theres a big difference between saying its "not recommended" and it causes "severe distortion".

Kind of like the difference between, John does not like peanuts and John is severely allergic to peanuts.

In any case, now its transparent what happens when having both outputs connected simultaneously.

 

[sajunky]

Theres a big difference between saying its "not recommended" and it causes "severe distortion".

I don't think it matters. You invest $700 in a DAC, you should be aware of a passive I/V conversion limitation before purchasing.

 

[dougms3]

I don't think it matters. You invest $700 in a DAC, you should be aware of a passive I/V conversion limitation before purchasing.

It doesn't really matter to me because I don't really use the SE output but how is anyone supposed to be aware of this prior to purchasing?

Considering how many reviews there are of the dac, I don't see any mention of what happens when you connect both outputs.

Its $814 now.

 

[Mozbach]

Unfortunately I can't really do this unless I have all three here with me. These DACs aren't mine personally, they were borrowed from friends and viewers, so they go back once the video is done.

Thats understandable. quoting from memory isn't accurate..thanks