Dont know from where you are getting those numbers for dCS.
Anything with “dcs” in it gets a hit - phones, dlink webcams etc. Takes no account of expired ads so 2, 3, 4, more hits for the same relisted advert. Also includes WTD Ads. Takes the number of legit sold Rossini DACs down by about 99.9%.Dont know from where you are getting those numbers for dCS.
You could say the same about many well-regarded brands though… Linn, for example, has 100k+. Naim similar. McIntosh 90k+. And, lest you think I’m picking the big boys, Mytek has 3.5k, Schiit 19k, even the mighty dCS has 13.5k+….
I bought a Pontus based on reviews and am very pleased with it and so perhaps it isn't just hype given that you haven't heard one. Also when researching it there were a number of users who had purchased the Ares and were so taken with the sound that they sold it on to move further up the Denafrips 'Ladder'.
It appears that Holo Audio May have solved the input jitter and noise issues as the data shown by GoldenSound demonstrates, there is no need for re-clockers anymore:
Why the annoying? Too many boxes and cables perhaps?Well, I own the May and a Denafrips reclocker. I agree with the gist above, but the sound is still ever so slightly clearer with the reclocker (i2s over HDMi). Annoying…
Annoying as it's hard to decide whether or not to keep the reclocker. If it was a jaw dropping improvement OR did nothing at all, it would be a no brainer.Why the annoying? Too many boxes and cables perhaps?
Well, I own the May and a Denafrips reclocker. I agree with the gist above, but the sound is still ever so slightly clearer with the reclocker (i2s over HDMi). Annoying…
Well I have to say I'm rather jealous of you owning the May, but never the less watch this video, the 2nd half will be more of interest to you - (1) How do DDCs improve audio? (Denafrips Hermes, Pi2AES, Schiit Eitr, ifi Igalvanic) - YouTube
In what way?I trust that reviewer's ears in general but I am a bit mystified with much of that video based on what I have heard for myself.
It's a while since I watched it now. He heard no difference with the Hermes between USB sources and the May, I did. Maybe not enough difference to justify a DDC purchase or expensive audiophile server or USB cable, and certainly less difference than with some other DACs. But no difference at all? Hmmm.In what way?
Quick update. On Friday afternoon 04/06/21 I unboxed and used the GAIA with the Ares II DAC and I kid you not when I say the difference the GAIA made was OMG. WOW. Spoke to a client to whom we sold an Esoteric D-02DX DAC (RRP £17500) about the GAIA DDC on Saturday. Sunday our client popped into the store and bought the our demo/display GAIA. Monday afternoon client rang me to say "the GAIA is simply wonderful"
Based on my brief experience with the GAIA DDC I would say that if you're using a DAC and think the DAC is being fed with a clean signal from their laptops, CDP's, etc. then think again and try a DDC such as the jitter busting GAIA DDC.
Anyway, we've recently received the IRIS DDC and we're due to receive another GAIA DDC next week. Can't wait to pair the IRIS DDC and the GAIA DDC with the Ares II DAC, Pontus II DAC, Terminator II DAC, PrimaLuna Evo 100 DAC, dCS Bartok and EMM Labs/Meitner Audio MA3
https://www.denafrips.com/iris
https://www.denafrips.com/gaia
GAIA DDC round two
New GAIA DDC delivered yesterday. Unboxed and fired up earlier on today. This time around the GAIA DDC is feeding the new Terminator II DAC. And wait for it WTF, OMG and WOW