[Hoshi]

I've owned an Ares II for over a year and have a Pontus II on the way. I've been using HQPlayer for about a year. I prefer upsampling everything to DSD as well. Some may prefer PCM. The improvement that HQPlayer brings to the table makes it one of the best audio upgrades I've ever made. It has a free trial which I'd encourage people to try. HQPlayer will allow Denafrips owners to use their DACs to full potential as you can upsample and play PCM up to 1536kHz and to DSD1024. It allows one to try various filters and modulators to tailor your sound to accommodate your amp and headphones sonic signature. Switch your DACs in NOS mode and let HQPlayer do the heavy lifting regarding upsampling. (Yes, I've seen GoldenSounds review on Denafrips NOS)

 

[viggen]

I think I already know the answer but want to make sure, if I only listen to streamed music then HQPlayer is useless to me?

 

[Hoshi]

HQPlayer works with locally stored music and Qobuz. If you use Roon, HQPlayer can be configured as a Roon Zone and it will allow you to stream Tidal as well.

 

[shwnwllms]

I think I already know the answer but want to make sure, if I only listen to streamed music then HQPlayer is useless to me?

What @Hoshi said

I would add that if you use Roon and set HQP as a Zone you should leave all DSP turned off in Roon. If you use any EQ or Room Correction, those can be done in HQP so you have a clean signal path and no degradation in SQ. You can have Roon do the first unfold on MQA though.

 

[Powermankw]

Well, my Pontus is here. No telling when my amp will show up. Right now I have to go thru USB that outputs to my Matrix Audio mini pro... Because I don't know when my streamer will be released. But hey... At least I'm getting it burned in.

I listened to it at my friend's today with 2 ch. Mine too. Right now, day 1,and now to Utopias... Nothing lights out different to speak of. Sounds a "little" better than my normal Mini I pro 3. We'll see after it gets broke in with my GS-X mini.

 

[Chibs]

Well, my Pontus is here. No telling when my amp will show up. Right now I have to go thru USB that outputs to my Matrix Audio mini pro... Because I don't know when my streamer will be released. But hey... At least I'm getting it burned in.

I listened to it at my friend's today with 2 ch. Mine too. Right now, day 1,and now to Utopias... Nothing lights out different to speak of. Sounds a "little" better than my normal Mini I pro 3. We'll see after it gets broke in with my GS-X mini.

I hated the way my Pontus sounded right out the gate, Let it run streaming for a week and your GSX mini will sing! Such a good combo, good choices!
Chibs

 

[joseG86]

I hated the way my Pontus sounded right out the gate, Let it run streaming for a week and your GSX mini will sing! Such a good combo, good choices!
Chibs

Same here, it was instant buyer's remorse right out of the box, I needed 200 solid hours and then I sold the Ares

 

[Powermankw]

Supposedly I get my GSX next week. Right now there is nothing "bad" about the Pontus, just... So what? Yep, it will take a solid week... You guys warned me.

 

[CalvinandHobbes2020]

The sound from the Pontus does get better over a long period of time. I liked the sound right away, but the sound quality seemed to gain richness and become more expansive even over 2 months of listening. The upside is that the sound from the Pontus for me sounds as good as the best digital I've heard for only US $1700. Perhaps view the patience needed during the extended break in period as part of the "cost" of potentially getting that level of sound quality for a fraction of what other DACs with similar sound quality might cost. The only downside is that after 2 months, you realize that you don't love the sound quality from the Pontus. But I think you'll be able to get a good sense after 80-100 hours of use as to whether the Pontus is for you.

Just a note that I believe you can run in the DAC even when you don't want any music to be playing, by leaving your amp on but with the volume turned down all the way. I kept my Pontus running that way 24/7 for two weeks straight which represented 336 hours of burn-in over that two week period.

 

[CalvinandHobbes2020]

One other note is that there are ways to get the Pontus to sounds smoother if that is what isn't sounding ideal to you.

 

[Chibs]

The sound from the Pontus does get better over a long period of time. I liked the sound right away, but the sound quality seemed to gain richness and become more expansive even over 2 months of listening. The upside is that the sound from the Pontus for me sounds as good as the best digital I've heard for only US $1700. Perhaps view the patience needed during the extended break in period as part of the "cost" of potentially getting that level of sound quality for a fraction of what other DACs with similar sound quality might cost. The only downside is that after 2 months, you realize that you don't love the sound quality from the Pontus. But I think you'll be able to get a good sense after 80-100 hours of use as to whether the Pontus is for you.

Just a note that I believe you can run in the DAC even when you don't want any music to be playing, by leaving your amp on but with the volume turned down all the way. I kept my Pontus running that way 24/7 for two weeks straight which represented 336 hours of burn-in over that two week period.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe you need the connected amp turned on to be running the DAC (during break in period). From memory, this is what Alvin told me when I asked.

 

[Powermankw]

And others have said "if you don't like the sound"... Perfectly normal statement. What is it about R2R that one might not like? In general, what is "the sound"?

Like I said, so far, nothing is "bad"... Bit more detail, smoothness, air, size. Just a bit.

I'm holding judgment though because how I'm running it is so goofy. Crappy USB cable, into Matrix Audio mini-i pro 3 which should be the limiting factor. I am also not positive that analog into the pro 3 isn't digitized again. I know my Naim Atom converts all inputs to digital so I can't bypass that dac. So I2S to pontus then to GSX should be night and day...

 

[Sunset1982]

My ordered Pontus II will arive tomorrow. And I bought a Hermes from the aftermarket this week. The hermes should be broken in. I can't wait to test this combo...

 

[Powermankw]

Woops

 

[Chibs]

And others have said "if you don't like the sound"... Perfectly normal statement. What is it about R2R that one might not like? In general, what is "the sound"?

Like I said, so far, nothing is "bad"... Bit more detail, smoothness, air, size. Just a bit.

I'm holding judgment though because how I'm running it is so goofy. Crappy USB cable, into Matrix Audio mini-i pro 3 which should be the limiting factor. I am also not positive that analog into the pro 3 isn't digitized again. I know my Naim Atom converts all inputs to digital so I can't bypass that dac. So I2S to pontus then to GSX should be night and day...

Mine sounded like I was listening to AM Radio. I was pissed. After Break-in it was the equivalent of getting a Swedish massage while being fed small expensive chocolates. Not the kind that are obnoxiously sweet, maybe sea salt with caramel.