Very tempted by Denafrips DACs. My main listening system currently is in need of a DAC (GoldenEar Triton Ref + Akitika GT-102 amp). Previous DAC was the Parasound Halo Int, which is now used in my desktop computer system with ELAC Debut B6.2 since I started WFH. Just tried an SMSL M400 and was pretty impressed. Very tempted to get an Ares II. In the meantime, does anyone know when the Pontus and Venus were released? From what I researched, there was discussion floating online since 2017, so they must be release no later than that. But I have found some review referencing Venus mk ii, and read somewhere in this thread that Pontus/Venus have been updated in 2018 or 2019. Thanks guys!
I just got an Iris for USB to I2S conversion, and am expecting my Terminator Plus to ship tomorrow! Does anyone use an Iris with their Denafrips DAC?
Hi @Shangri-La , Much has changed since the first release of the Pontus/Venus in 2017. The Pontus DAC: https://www.vinshineaudio.com/post/shipped-pontus-r-2r-dac 1. Beefed up power supply 2. Germany Film Caps WIMA 3. Upgraded DSP board The Venus II DAC is upgraded with: 1. TCXO - Temperature-Controlled Crystal Oscillator. This is the prime performance improvement that brings the Venus sonic performance very close to the Terminator DAC 2. MU Metal shielding between the PSU and Main DAC board, like one found in the Terminator DAC. A metal sheet is added in between. 3. EVOX MMK caps 4. Germany Film Caps WIMA 5. Upgraded DSP board Hope this helps! Rgds, Alvin Vinshine Audio
Thanks Alvin! That certainly helps. DAC technologies advance quickly and it's good to know Denafrips continues to keep their products updated. BTW when was Venus II released?
Another great review from a reputable Youtube channel. (Pontus coming up next!) Man the Ares II and all the Denafrips DACs are the real deal. Must try one...
I'm interested in hearing what you think of it after further listening because I'm thinking of getting a Pontus or maybe even a Venus soon myself.
I'm thinking of ordering an Ares II. Hate to ask this, but id there a screw missing on the upper right corner of the back panel?
I'll try, but I have to warn you I'm a terrible reviewer. My comments tend to go along the lines of "this is a very nice product, I like it very much". I haven't done any comparison with my previous DAC (a Schiit Modi Multibit), I didn't even bother to play the same CD before and after changing them. But my immediate reaction in the first seconds when I played Van Morrison "Three Chords and the Truth" was "Oh, there's BASS, impact, and dynamics!"
Yes. The photo was taken right after I extracted the unit from the box, and the screw is missing. Compared to Denafrips reviews and unboxings I've seen, this one also came without an AC cable, and it didn't have those little caps on the RCA jacks. The unit works well, so I'm not too concerned.
My Ares II arrived Friday just in time for the 3-day weekend so I replaced my Topping D70 and turned off the subs because out of the box in NOS mode there is ample bass.
I wasn't sure. There's a power cable-shaped indentation in the packaging, and the Ares II unboxing upthread appears to have come with one:
OK, my mistake. I thought that I'd seen a couple of reviews that said that the cables weren't supplied but maybe I've confused it with something else.
Ares II comes with power cord, the rest of the model doesn't. @misterdecibel , just drop you an email!
I found the whole process painless. Before you order, you can see the estimated delay time on Vinshine's site: Ares II and Venus II say "Stock:. Available. Leadtime to ship in approx 7 days", Pontus "Stock:. Leadtime to ship in approx 4 weeks", Terminator: "Stock:. Available. Order now ships in 10-14 days" and Terminator Plus: "Stock:. Available to ship in 10-14 days". When I ordered my Pontus there was a stated 14 day delay, and sure enough, two weeks after I placed my order I received a shipping notification. It took four days for the DAC to get from China to my front door, and two of those days were the last 120 miles.
We’ll just catching up with you guys on the thread and good to see everyone happy with their R2R Denafrips! It’s been just about a year since I jumped into this and the journey was/is pretty incredible to say the least. I’ve learned a lot, an awful lot that I just didn’t know before I came here and it totally turned my digital world completely around. So much so that after I settled on the gear I liked my turntable got disconnected for like 8 months! Lol. No lie. And especially when I found that previously unlistenable brick walled cd’s we’re now listenable, we’ll that’s just icing on the cake. So, again, congratulations to Alvin and Denafrips, on such amazing success! And thanks to all of you for the fun and informative ride! Now Play on! Beave
Thanks! Email sent. Looks there's still a day or two's wait time for my Ares II. Really look forward to it!
