Denafrips 'Pontus' R2R ladder DAC - close up view

[sygnus21]

With the Tariffs, I would not wait much longer to purchase.

Unfortunately, that boat has already sailed. BTW, this from Vinshine Audio / Alvin, but I'm 99.999 Denafrips (and many Chinese vendors) feel the same way....



If you're in the USA, you could try TEK Audio Specialties (authorized Denafrips vendor and repair facility), but they've also got a note on their site about the tariffs

 

[Ufanco]

Could also try audioman58 he is authorized seller. Just checked and looks like there out of stock again on Denafrips site.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...qCULrKQ4IatIC12RsHcuIdqypn0-lpEJc_eLcZS8E6m97

 

[davidbea]

I ordered one from TEK and it should arrive Saturday the 12th. The price from Audioman58 looked great but if ordered it would ship from Denafrips directly and be subject to the tariffs.. Not going there. I'll let people know how it compares to what I have.

 

[ss23]

Has anyone directly compared the Ares 15th to the Pontus 15th? Looking for impressions on how big the difference is.

I already own an Ares 15th that size-wise matched my KGSHHV amp but have ordered a new amp that size-wise matches the Pontus 15th. Wondering whether I should upgrade the DAC as well. Driving an X9000, which can be described as fairly bright so want to make sure the Pontus 15th would be a good match and a good upgrade

 

[sygnus21]

I ordered one from TEK and it should arrive Saturday the 12th. The price from Audioman58 looked great but if ordered it would ship from Denafrips directly and be subject to the tariffs.. Not going there. I'll let people know how it compares to what I have.

Sorry, which "one" did you order?

 

[davidbea]

Sorry, which "one" did you order?

The Pontus 15 after reading as many reviews as I could find.

 

[sygnus21]

The Pontus 15 after reading as many reviews as I could find.

Good choice, you're going to love it once it burns in. And you're going to have to be patient as it's going to take a few months to settle.

Good luck.

 

[Ufanco]

Does anyone with the remote have issues with the battery cover rattling after installing the battery? It doesn’t affect the remote's operation, but I wanted to check in and see if that’s normal.

 

[sygnus21]

Does anyone with the remote have issues with the battery cover rattling after installing the battery? It doesn’t affect the remote's operation, but I wanted to check in and see if that’s normal.

I can't answer your question as I never bought the remote. Thought about it just for the experience factor, but my system sits next to me so not needed.

Can you direct input from one source to another or is it like the DAC, toggle the button until you get the source you want?

@davidbea, mind if I ask how much you paid? Wondering if the price went up due to the tariffs?

 

[Ufanco]

I can't answer your question as I never bought the remote. Thought about it just for the experience factor, but my system sits next to me so not needed.

Can you direct input from one source to another or is it like the DAC, toggle the button until you get the source you want?

@davidbea, mind if I ask how much you paid? Wondering if the price went up due to the tariffs?

EDIT Its toggle to change source.

Weird that both USA-authorized dealers get their Denafrips drop shipped from China, so I would think both would have the same price increase. Does Tex charge sales taxes? I just checked and looks like the Pontus 15 is back-ordered status again from Denafrips.

 

[sygnus21]

EDIT Its toggle to change source.

Yeah, that's what I thought, and another reason I skipped?

Weird that both USA-authorized dealers get their Denafrips drop shipped from China, so I would think both would have the same price increase. Does Tex charge sales taxes?

I'm 99.9 sure they charge taxes, but one way to check is to drop an item in the cart and proceed to checkout just before actually paying. Any additional charges, to include sales taxes will then show up.

I just checked and looks like the Pontus 15 is back-ordered status again from Denafrips.

Given the popularity of the DAC, and what you're getting for your money, that's not surprising

Also unfortunate, because now anything coming out of China will be hit with tariffs so makes things more expensive for U.S.A. customers. Suddenly that 2,100-dollar DAC may morph to $2,300 or more

 

[davidbea]

I can't answer your question as I never bought the remote. Thought about it just for the experience factor, but my system sits next to me so not needed.

Can you direct input from one source to another or is it like the DAC, toggle the button until you get the source you want?

@davidbea, mind if I ask how much you paid? Wondering if the price went up due to the tariffs?

It was a demo in stock so he took $100 off. I didn't think I could take a chance with the new reported 104% tariffs.

 

[sygnus21]

It was a demo in stock so he took $100 off.

Are you still getting a warranty? BTW (I mentioned this before) but he's also they're USA repair facility. I've had some of my Denafrips gear repaired (my fault, but Denafrips still took care of the repair bill) by him (Todd). Quality work and zero "after repair" issues. Pretty prompt too if he doesn't have to wait for parts from China.

I didn't think I could take a chance with the new reported 104% tariffs.

Yeah, I think that was a smart move.

 

[davidbea]

Yes with a warranty. A fast question if anyone might know: the manual indicates it's not recommended to use both outputs. I was thinking I would use the balanced outputs to my Mjölnir Audio KGST that is in transit( I had it shipped right before the first round of tariffs) driving my Stax SR007A's and have the RCA's connected to my Van Altsine FET Valve CFR Preamp> McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe> Harbeth M30.1. Can I leave the cables connected if I only have either the Stax amp or Van Alstine on at one time?

 

[sygnus21]

A fast question if anyone might know: the manual indicates it's not recommended to use both outputs.

Unfortunately, this is true as it's simply the way the DAC was designed. It's also noted in many reviews. If you really need a DAC that allows both, Denafrips' DACs, isn't where you should look. BTW, this also applies to other Denafrips knockoffs like Musician.

Denafrips doesn't say this themselves, but the DAC design says those RCA outputs are there for convenience to those not wanting to use XLR. Truth be told XLR is the intended connection preference, and what I use to feed my headphone amp. I use my Teac CD player with built-in pre-amp to feed my active speakers. This unfortunately bypasses the DAC, but I'm more a headphone user so not an issue there for me.

I was thinking I would use the balanced outputs to my Mjölnir Audio KGST that is in transit( I had it shipped right before the first round of tariffs) driving my Stax SR007A's and have the RCA's connected to my Van Altsine FET Valve CFR Preamp> McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe> Harbeth M30.1. Can I leave the cables connected if I only have either the Stax amp or Van Alstine on at one time?

Sorry, that's not going to work. You can try it, but you will lose performance as you're now basically "splitting the signal", which leads to less volume out. I think your best bet is to add a pre-amp to the system if you want multiple in/outs.