Denafrips 'Pontus' R2R ladder DAC - close up view

[Thomsen132]

Does anybody know, what has been changed from Pontus II 12th to Pontus II 15th? Or is it just another naming?
I am also wondering, if Pontus II 12th was released 3 years ago.
I am a little bit confused

P.S.:
https://www.denafrips.com/product-page/denafrips-pontus-15th-r2r-dac
Specs say, that the ladder resistors are matched to 0,005% instead 0,01% as before. But who knows, if this could have been an error in the specs?

 

[sygnus21]

Does anybody know, what has been changed from Pontus II 12th to Pontus II 15th? Or is it just another naming?

'm not sure a more reliable source exists than what Denafrips posted. If you don't trust them, well....

Anyway, I certainly don't plan on dumping my Pontus II12th-1 for the 15th. If anything, I would dump it for the Venus, and I don't even see that in the cards.

 

[szore]

'm not sure a more reliable source exists than what Denafrips posted. If you don't trust them, well....

Anyway, I certainly don't plan on dumping my Pontus II12th-1 for the 15th. If anything, I would dump it for the Venus, and I don't even see that in the cards.

Venus is supposed to be the sweet spot in the Denefrips lineup.

 

[sajunky]

Venus is supposed to be the sweet spot in the Denefrips lineup.

I think it is Pontus, assuming a price did not increase ($1700).

I don't see much value in Venus comparing components from interior photos.

 

[szore]

I think it is Pontus, assuming a price did not increase ($1700).

I don't see much value in Venus comparing components from interior photos.

There is an audiophile website I forget its name, but the guy did a massive shootout between all the models and he concluded that the Venus, in terms of sound, was the best one to get, price performance ratio. But of course that was his opinion.

 

[sygnus21]

There is an audiophile website I forget its name, but the guy did a massive shootout between all the models and he concluded that the Venus, in terms of sound, was the best one to get, price performance ratio. But of course that was his opinion.

I like these reviews by "A British Audiophile"....

 

[George Hincapie]

I think it is Pontus, assuming a price did not increase ($1700).

I don't see much value in Venus comparing components from interior photos.

It isn't Pontus. I have had both Ares and Pontus. Pontus was actually disappointing for me.

 

[CalvinandHobbes2020]

There is an audiophile website I forget its name, but the guy did a massive shootout between all the models and he concluded that the Venus, in terms of sound, was the best one to get, price performance ratio. But of course that was his opinion.

I think you are referring to this comparison on HiFiAdvice.com at: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/re...es-ii-pontus-ii-venus-ii-and-terminator-plus/

His conclusion was that "Pontus occupies the sweet spot in terms of performance for the money".

He does mention that the Venus has a different sonic character than the Pontus so that could be a consideration as well:

"To be honest, the Venus II did not immediately establish itself as a better DAC than the Pontus II. This has a lot to do with the fact that it is tonally very different. Rather than sounding full, slightly dark, and robust, it sounds agile, open, and airy. But in place of the deep tonal saturation of the Pontus II, the Venus II sounds leaner and less impactful in the bass. The DAC feels more controlled, and because of this, less propulsive and festive. But after having readjusted to the new presentation, I also hear several notable improvements."

 

[George Hincapie]

I think you are referring to this comparison on HiFiAdvice.com at: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/re...es-ii-pontus-ii-venus-ii-and-terminator-plus/

His conclusion was that "Pontus occupies the sweet spot in terms of performance for the money".

He does mention that the Venus has a different sonic character than the Pontus so that could be a consideration as well:

"To be honest, the Venus II did not immediately establish itself as a better DAC than the Pontus II. This has a lot to do with the fact that it is tonally very different. Rather than sounding full, slightly dark, and robust, it sounds agile, open, and airy. But in place of the deep tonal saturation of the Pontus II, the Venus II sounds leaner and less impactful in the bass. The DAC feels more controlled, and because of this, less propulsive and festive. But after having readjusted to the new presentation, I also hear several notable improvements."

One opinion. Also consider the perspective of a British Audiophile on YT who bought his own Venus.

 

[galthepal]

nvm figured it out

 

[CalvinandHobbes2020]

One opinion. Also consider the perspective of a British Audiophile on YT who bought his own Venus.

Yes, I just rewatched that episode from the British Audiophile in which Tarun's opinion was that the Venus was better all around than the Pontus, but after a full break in period.

 

[sygnus21]

Yes, I just rewatched that episode from the British Audiophile in which Tarun's opinion was that the Venus was better all around than the Pontus, but after a full break in period.

Uh, yeah. Same thing would have been true of the Pontus... after a full break (burn) in period you discover its true potential.

At any rate, it's not so much that one sounds better than the other, but what you like in sound. If you prefer neutral and lean, the Venus. If you prefer warm and colored, the Pontus. That's the impression I get when reading comparisons between the Pontus and Venus.

 

[George Hincapie]

Uh, yeah. Same thing would have been true of the Pontus... after a full break (burn) in period you discover its true potential.

At any rate, it's not so much that one sounds better than the other, but what you like in sound. If you prefer neutral and lean, the Venus. If you prefer warm and colored, the Pontus. That's the impression I get when reading comparisons between the Pontus and Venus.

I don't think the delta is that pronounced to be honest. If you aren't going to buy Terminator then Venus is probably a great place to stop.

 

[Thomsen132]

So, now it's official, what has been rumored quite a while....

 

[sygnus21]

Not exctly the news I'd like to hear being I dropped nearly 5K on Denafrips gear (Artemis headphone amp, Pontus DAC, Iris DDC) in late February of this year. In fact, my gear hasn't even reached 6 months yet. Also worried about my warranty contract, as my gear (Artemis, Pontus) shipped with a 3-year warranty, so....

Honestly, if I could have seen the future here, I may have looked elsewhere, or perhaps purchased direct from Denafrips, instead of Vinshine. That said, I've had zero issues with my gear, and hopes it stays that way. I'm also very happy with the sound quality of the gear and aren't looking to upgrade anytime soon.

My only concern is warranty service and how long. Also, the runaround of getting service from Denafrips being were told to go through Vinshine first