nostromo
pfm Member
If in a blind listening test you preferred the Ares, what would you conclude?
I wouldn’t expect to hear any difference, because the Ares measures pretty well for an R2R design.If in a blind listening test you preferred the Ares, what would you conclude?
Has anyone directly compared any specific Denafrips DAC to a Qutest? I'm interested in what level of Denafrips would be more revealing than the Qutest.
Thank you for providing us with that update.Musicraft looking to be able to do home demoes about April
Mac
Hi. I have been wondering whether Musicraft were specific regarding whether they were looking to be able to do home demoes by the beginning of April, or whether they were looking to be able to do those by the end of April.Musicraft looking to be able to do home demoes about April
Mac
Thank you for that clarification. I will hope that those home demoes will be possible sooner rather than later.Afraid Rick wasn't that specific., but he said he'd let me know.
Mac
My Ares II arrived yesterday. Prompt dispatch and delivery, good communication and adequately packed etc, so no complaints there. Build is utilitarian and sturdy if not exactly to my taste, but it's a DAC, so fine... No instructions or manual in box, these can instead be found online via Youtube or the Denafrips site.
This is my first real foray into standalone DACs and not without some skepticism, so I chose the Ares II given its architecture and purported sound characteristics, as well as the fact that I can likely move it along promptly given reputation and internet buzz.
As I mentioned up thread, to date I was using the Node 2i for DAC duties, into a Yamaha A-S2100 and Harbeths. On connection, and subjectively to these ears, a difference in presentation is apparent. The Ares II does sound perhaps more linear sounding, with a mid-range type emphasis, this I believe when it was set to OS mode. However, with time I decided this emphasis is not well suited to my system, being somewhat overly additive given the nature of some other components. Also, I can't say it sounded decidedly analog-like - for me, the presentation was still undoubtedly digital.
I switched modes briefly, but haven't spent enough time to gain any meaningful impressions - suffice to say it seems the overarching character of the DAC remains intact. Also, I suspect it may give up a tad in detail, but I'll need to do more serious listening to be sure.
Of course, I'll live with it a little longer and see how things pan out.