Denafrips 'Pontus' R2R ladder DAC - close up view

[sygnus21]

Are you sure looks like they listed it here

Seems I stand corrected. That said, be aware the Pontus 15th wasn't released until somewhere around October 2024, though the earliest review of it I found online is a YouTube review dated 30 Sept 2024. The page you show is dated June 2024, so....

But yeah, if you go to that page now it says LPNO - https://www.denafrips.com/product-page/denafrips-pontus-15th-r2r-dac. So clearly a misprint on the page you show.

 

[Ufanco]

Seems I stand corrected. That said, be aware the Pontus 15th wasn't released until somewhere around October 2024, though the earliest review of it I found online is a YouTube review dated 30 Sept 2024. The page you show is dated June 2024, so....

But yeah, if you go to that page now it says LPNO - https://www.denafrips.com/product-page/denafrips-pontus-15th-r2r-dac. So clearly a misprint on the page you show.

All good we all can all be mistaken. Since English isn’t your native language, you don’t realize you can come across as arrogant at times.

It is probably generic name for a Low-Phase-Noise-Oscilator, which means no-name low phase noise series. Expect performance slightly better than a general use type, but not matching ultra-low niise series like from Crystek or Accusilicon.

Other than that, it can be a brand family like LNMO from Safran, but I doubt so.

Thanks for the information,

 

[sygnus21]

All good we all can all be mistaken. Since English isn’t your native language, you don’t realize you can come across as arrogant at times.

English IS my native language and is the only language I've even known (and unfortunately only speak).

My "arrogance" is only that I reply to posts as written. I'm also not one to let falsities go by without checking. I'm also one to be direct, and that's what rubs some the wrong way.

Peace

 

[Ufanco]

All good I just called it as I see it. You basically called me a liar and it wasn’t needed. I come here to learn and help when I can, just like you.
So peace out.

 

[sygnus21]

All good I just called it as I see it. You basically called me a liar and it wasn’t needed. I come here to learn and help when I can, just like you.
So peace out.

Calling you a liar would be me NOT admitting I was wrong... which I did....

Seems I stand corrected.

Unlike your insistence (despite a few posts pointing out the opposite) on the remote only controlling the "analogue out" of the Pontus. Yeah, you "finally" admitted you were wrong, but...

And yeah, I call it like I see it as well

Movin on

 

[Ufanco]

Calling you a liar would be me NOT admitting I was wrong... which I did....

Unlike your insistence (despite a few posts pointing out the opposite) on the remote only controlling the "analogue out" of the Pontus. Yeah, you "finally" admitted you were wrong, but...

And yeah, I call it like I see it as well

Movin on

I agree moving on

 

[hakunamakaka]

Does anyone had a chance to compare Pontus 15th to Venus II ?

 

[sygnus21]

Does anyone had a chance to compare Pontus 15th to Venus II ?

Tarun (British Audiophile) did....

He ended up replacing the Venus with the Pontus 15th

 

[Ufanco]

Does anyone had a chance to compare Pontus 15th to Venus II ?

This video might help. Just ignore the part about temperature control oscillator clocks used. Probably another reason I was confused on the Pontus 15 having them.
Opps @sygnus21 posted same video well I was making post lol.

 

[hakunamakaka]

Thanks folks, seems not worth to go for Venus 2 instead of new Pontus

 

[sygnus21]

I was in the same boat. After having the Pontus 12th-1, I lusted for a Venus. In fact, I nearly bought a Venus 15th, until I saw it had morphed to the size of the Terminator, and a size I did not want. The Pontus 15 ended up being ordered as an emergency replacement when I accidentally shorted my Pontus 12th-1 (and Hermes DDC). Denafrips did repair both under warranty (thank you Denafrips ). The Hermes is now back in my system while the Pontus 12th-1 awaits a decision to sell or keep.

Anyway, it worked out well that I got the Pontus 15th because as we all know now, it is indeed a previous Venus with a few tweaks. And an upgrade to the 12th-1

 

[Smoothstereo]

Hey Sygnus21, which has more prominent vocals, Pontus 15th or Pontus 12th-1? Or about the same ?

 

[sygnus21]

Hey Sygnus21, which has more prominent vocals, Pontus 15th or Pontus 12th-1? Or about the same ?

I'd definitely say the 15th as it seems to have a darker background, and I think channel separation is more pinpoint making the vocals stand out more. Mind you, I'm mainly a headphone listener so this is where the assessment comes from with both the Hifiman He1000SE and Sennheiser HD800 S.

BTW, I think mids are about the same on both models, though maybe a little better on the 15th. Also, the 15th definitely has better bass. I know you didn't ask that, but I thought I'd point it out anyway. Also earlier in my comparison between the 12th-1 and 15th, I said I liked to warmer 12th-1. Well after a few more months of "burn in", I much prefer the 15th. It's still not as warm as the 12th-1, but that turns out to be a good thing as it sounds like a veil has been lifted with the music having a more livelier sound.

 

[Smoothstereo]

I'd definitely say the 15th as it seems to have a darker background, and I think channel separation is more pinpoint making the vocals stand out more. Mind you, I'm mainly a headphone listener so this is where the assessment comes from with both the Hifiman He1000SE and Sennheiser HD800 S.

BTW, I think mids are about the same on both models, though maybe a little better on the 15th. Also, the 15th definitely has better bass. I know you didn't ask that, but I thought I'd point it out anyway. Also earlier in my comparison between the 12th-1 and 15th, I said I liked to warmer 12th-1. Well after a few more months of "burn in", I much prefer the 15th. It's still not as warm as the 12th-1, but that turns out to be a good thing as it sounds like a veil has been lifted with the music having a more livelier sound.

Glad to hear the Pontus 15th is winning you over as it burns in. Does the 15th have a larger soundstage over the 12th-1 ?

 

[sygnus21]

Glad to hear the Pontus 15th is winning you over as it burns in. Does the 15th have a larger soundstage over the 12th-1 ?

I think it's slightly improved, but not "oh, my god" night and day better. And I wouldn't be disappointed with the 12th-1 here.

To me the biggest and most noticeable difference between the 12th-1 and 15th is the bass - harder, tighter, better controlled. Many claim the Sennheiser HD800 S has no bass, but pair them with my system - Pontus / Artemis headphone amp, and you're like wow. Not that the 12th-1 is bad, but wow with the 15th.

Between the HEKSE and HD800S, the HEKSE has the better bass, and there were instances where I thought I was wearing the HEKSE, instead of the Senns when listening to certain musical tracks. So yeah, I'm won over