[sajunky]

Owners of the Ares II can never hear their dac at its best, because it lacks i2s input.

Pegasus has that and aes/ebu.

One good post in this thread, absolutely correct. It makes Ares similar to my R2R11 ($350), all other Audio GD DACs have. It is why I would prefer R1 instead of Ares.

 

[T 1000]

I haven't been interested in the connection via i2s so far, but by informing about it, I am gaining more and more interest.

 

[sajunky]

I haven't been interested in the connection via i2s so far, but by informing about it, I am gaining more and more interest.

Adding my voice, it is devinitely worth to try. Think about DI-20HE as an ultimate device below $1k, but there are cheaper.

 

[T 1000]

Adding my voice, it is devinitely worth to try. Think about DI-20HE as an ultimate device below $1k, but there are cheaper.

It looks interesting, but I'm afraid I'm not educated enough for such devices, I don't even know what its purpose is.
And my system sounds so great and I think I brought it to the maximum. So I think a higher step is a better amplifier, or DAC.
Anyway thanks for the recommendation

 

[T 1000]

Adding my voice, it is devinitely worth to try. Think about DI-20HE as an ultimate device below $1k, but there are cheaper.

It definitely caught my attention
Can you explain to me in simple vocabulary, not technical terms, what is the function of this device and what are the sound benefits

 

[sajunky]

You know, digital data require different attention and analog signal different one. A DAC is mixed device (digital in, analogue out). It is difficult to deal with everything in one device, it is why specialised devices are developed. It gives a DAC a much needed separation from digital world. Sound becomes smooth and soft without losing detais, just in reverse: details are brought forward without any sign of sharp edges. It is the most instantly recognised in the bass presentation, as products of digital interference fall in the most audible range, but it is true for the entire range of sound. I can't explain it in English. The best Delta Sigma converters can achieve pleasant smoothness, but on the cost of terrible loses. If you like sound of your DAC comparing to DS, I can tell you it is a step further for removing any sign of digital traces.

Before investing in such device, you must lay down a plan for interconnecting as there are compatibility problems. There are two typical connectivity options giving the best results (now I have to put some technical details, hope it helps):

1. (any digital source) --> DI --> AES/EBU (cable) --> DAC

AES/EBU is a digital interface using XLR connectors. Similar to S/PDIF, but signal is carried over a differential pair. A clock is embedded in the signal, but the additional direct clock connection gives the best results. It can be additional external clock device which will synchronise both DI and DAC to the same frequency, or a clock can be sourced from DI.

2. (any digital source) --> DI --> I2S (HDMI cable) --> DAC

I2S is a standard chip-to-chip interface, for connecting external devices is not standarised, so check for compatibility. It has full support for PCM and also DSD transfers. It carries a clock on a separate pair of wires, so it doesn't need decoder chips and gives similar or even better quality than #1. The most popular physical connection becomes LVDS over a standard HDMI cable, but it doesn't advere to the HDMI specification, so don't be mistaken, it is I2S connection.

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

A DAC is mixed device (digital in, analogue out). It is difficult to deal with everything in one device, it is why specialised devices are developed. It gives a DAC a much needed separation from digital world.

But wouldn't a lets say 3cm PCB connection in an EMI shielded case be more beneficial than a coax cable outside?

 

[sajunky]

But wouldn't a lets say 3cm PCB connection in an EMI shielded case be more beneficial than a coax cable outside?

This is a matter of separation from ground loops. Even galvanic isolation is not perfect. Once a noise come in, it is difficult to deal with. One extra device with superior protection gives extra level. In the upgrade guide to 2021 version posted on the Website Kingwa wrote that R7HE will benefit from DI-20HE (both devices have built-in regenerative power supply), but from DI-20 (without regenerative power supply) do not. If you believe the guy (I do), it means a device that generate clean clock is the most important in the chain.

 

[Baten]

Pegasus just got measured on ASR by WolfX. Looks like it is not an exact Ares ii clone, different design with different measurements
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...asurements-of-musician-pegasus-r2r-dac.18786/

 

[KotBegemot]

Not sure if it is exactly the same issue, but I found after a length bit of use I would get majorly distorted sounds on my Ares II and Musician - it would sound like it very distorted and slowed down.

A power cycle of the DAC or my MacBook Pro would fix it. I found it very strange though. I assumed it was not a hardware issue but maybe something with the driver/ or operating system because it happened on the Ares II and the Musician.

This problem was happening every few days. I typically leave my gear powered on all the time. It seems to have stopped because I can't remember the last time it has happened.

HI, I have question: since you have Macbook: When you use the Pegasus with Macbook using USB cable, does system volume control able to regulate the output volume? I just got mine Pegasus and the system volume regulator on my Macbook not doing anything , EXCEPT muting the output when the volume goes all the way down. Even in the Itunes's lowest volume setting the volume level is way high, since I use Macbook's digital volume as a preamp (using apple remote) into the DAC connecting it directly to the power amplifier , bypassing a preamp. Would appreciate your feedback greatly!!! Thanks!!!!!

 

[VintageAudio]

HI, I have question: since you have Macbook: When you use the Pegasus with Macbook using USB cable, does system volume control able to regulate the output volume? I just got mine Pegasus and the system volume regulator on my Macbook not doing anything , EXCEPT muting the output when the volume goes all the way down. Even in the Itunes's lowest volume setting the volume level is way high, since I use Macbook's digital volume as a preamp (using apple remote) into the DAC connecting it directly to the power amplifier , bypassing a preamp. Would appreciate your feedback greatly!!! Thanks!!!!!

Just tried it. I have m1 MacBook Pro with big Sur Mac OS 11.2.1. The system volume has no effect except mute, just like you described.

 

[KotBegemot]

Just tried it. I have m1 MacBook Pro with big Sur Mac OS 11.2.1. The system volume has no effect except mute, just like you described.

AH bummer, now I have to think about getting a preamp . Also, at least now I know my unit is not defective, as I ve pestered the factory with videos, etc. By the way , in your AUDIO MIDI settings do you have the Sampling rate set at 1536 lhz? Or less? And if you do, do you get the digital distortion? I think my macbook cant keep up with the speed of the dac... Switching to 352 khz fixes the issue so far, but it makes having this dac with high specs moot., and incredibly annoying... Thanks so much! Appreciate your feedback greatly!

 

[VintageAudio]

AH bummer, now I have to think about getting a preamp . Also, at least now I know my unit is not defective, as I ve pestered the factory with videos, etc. By the way , in your AUDIO MIDI settings do you have the Sampling rate set at 1536 lhz? Or less? And if you do, do you get the digital distortion? I think my macbook cant keep up with the speed of the dac... Switching to 352 khz cure the situation so so far, but it makes having this dac with high specs moot.... Thanks so much! Appreciate your feedback greatly!

in audio midi I usually manually set to 384 or less. I find at the higher it causes stability/audio quirks. I'm not even sure by setting higher if I can hear an improvement. All my rips are only cd quality anyhow - mostly listen Spotify and YouTube, so higher rates don't matter so much.

 

[KotBegemot]

in audio midi I usually manually set to 384 or less. I find at the higher it causes stability/audio quirks. I'm not even sure by setting higher if I can hear an improvement. All my rips are only cd quality anyhow - mostly listen Spotify and YouTube, so higher rates don't matter so much.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[allhifi]

If you say I'm wrong, explain why Sandu claims that the Dac Pegasus is noticeably better than Ares II? (According to you, Ares II was not reviewed by Sandu), so how can you recommend one product over another without having tried it? (I attach the proof in the screenshot, taken from the comments section of the Pegasus review), in that comment Sandu responds referring to Ares I and II, if Sandu is "honest" in his comments, he has definitely reviewed the Ares II, and I swear I read the review of Ares II by Sandu, it was published this year, amazing that no one has noticed...

( RE: " ....Sandu claims that the Dac Pegasus is noticeably better than Ares II?" )

'Sandu this, Sandu that'. He said, did, spoke and blabbered some more. WHO IS Sandu? Experience, age, qualifications ?

Zooming in on one (questionable) source is a recipe for going nowehere fast. The dialog between passionate listener's (as
evidenced here on Head-Fi) and of course users/owners of this DAC would be the more sensible conversation to have.

In a few months time (saaaay ... in one year) I'm confident the answers will lie beneath the dust that surely wil have settled by
then.

pete jasz