Denafrips Ares II DAC

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Huck

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Denafrips Ares II DAC
« on: 3 Oct 2021, 11:28 am »
Hi:
Currently I am looking at the Denafrips Ares II to be used with one Oppo Blu-ray player and one Copland CD player.
I will be going to the Aries with a digital RCA Coax from the Copland and a Optical toslink from the Oppo Blu-ray player.
All this will be going to a Parasound P6 pre-amp via RCA.
Any other DAC I should be checking out,for roughly the same money?Thanks.
« Last Edit: 28 Oct 2021, 06:55 pm by Huck »

walkern

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Re: Denafrips Aries II DAC
« Reply #1 on: 3 Oct 2021, 01:38 pm »
I am currently using a similar system with an Oppo Blue Ray player feeding my Aries II and I love it.  The only thing I've heard that sounds close was an MHDT Pagoda that had been slightly modded (better fuse, output coupling caps and a NOS WE tube), and I don't think it was better... just comparable. The Pagoda costs more, so stick to your plan.

Huck

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Re: Denafrips Ares II DAC
« Reply #2 on: 3 Oct 2021, 02:13 pm »
I compared all three dacs and the Copland CDA-822 and Oppo BDP-95 sound the same to me,but both sound better than the dac in the P6.
Still kinda on the fence about buying something I can't see/touch/play first.
I know the Ares II has been getting good reviews,so I hope it beats the three onboard dacs I have now for sound quality.I wonder when the newer version(III) will come out?.Thanks.
« Last Edit: 28 Oct 2021, 06:56 pm by Huck »

mick wolfe

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Re: Denafrips Aries II DAC
« Reply #3 on: 3 Oct 2021, 09:04 pm »
I've had the original Ares for well over 2 years. If it were to fail in any way, I'd go for an Ares II or Pontus without hesitation. I really like the overall build quality and sound of the Denafrips DAC's.

viggen

Re: Denafrips Aries II DAC
« Reply #4 on: 28 Oct 2021, 06:52 pm »
I am comparing Ares2 against D90MQA.  Leaning towards Ares2 now.

SlushPuppy

Re: Denafrips Ares II DAC
« Reply #5 on: 29 Oct 2021, 12:48 am »
Hi:
Currently I am looking at the Denafrips Ares II to be used with one Oppo Blu-ray player and one Copland CD player.
I will be going to the Aries with a digital RCA Coax from the Copland and a Optical toslink from the Oppo Blu-ray player.
All this will be going to a Parasound P6 pre-amp via RCA.
Any other DAC I should be checking out,for roughly the same money?Thanks.

My best friend has that combination (Ares II and Oppo player). He really likes it. As a vinyl guy with an expensive turntable he says it is very good for the money.

Huck

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Re: Denafrips Ares II DAC
« Reply #6 on: 30 Oct 2021, 01:40 pm »
Changed my mind on the AresII,now looking seriously at the Denafrips Pontus II.
I plan to use it with speakers and cd transport,but I see lots of peeps using it in a streaming scenerio...something else I should be looking at for cd transport/speaker use?Thanks,Huck
« Last Edit: 30 Oct 2021, 10:15 pm by Huck »

viggen

Re: Denafrips Ares II DAC
« Reply #7 on: 31 Oct 2021, 01:44 am »
why can't you use the same dac for streaming and transport for speakers?

Huck

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Re: Denafrips Ares II DAC
« Reply #8 on: 31 Oct 2021, 02:04 am »
why can't you use the same dac for streaming and transport for speakers?
Streaming won't be my main use. I want to plug the digital coax output from my CD player into Pontus to bypass the internal DAC on cd player. I have no streaming capability where my main stereo room is located,but I have it in my upstairs headphone set-up...computer>USB to Benchmark DAC 1 USB.
I have no room to use Pontus with my headphone set-up,I need a small footprint unit here.Thanks,Huck
« Last Edit: 31 Oct 2021, 03:11 pm by Huck »