Hello all,

I've had the Denafrips Ares 2 for several weeks now and I can say it is a really good DAC for the money. When I first listened to it, I was a bit uneasy as it sounded good, but not great. After a few days of it being on, it sounded much better. I mostly use USB from my Mac using Audirvana, but have tried the Toslink as well. My description is not that different from what others have already said:

Detailed - with very good instrument separation
Soundstage - very good front to back and high to low. Pretty good horizontally
Natural Sounding - mostly instruments sound analog-esque
Nice Bass definition - but not bass heavy
Musical - puts everything back together in a thoroughly enjoyable way
Texture - I LOVE aural texture and it does it really well (though my vinyl rig is still better)

I've been using a Marantz SA-8005 SACD player as my DAC. It is warm, musical, has a lot of weight/density and decent detail. It is a little glare-y. The Denafrips is VERY different in approach and better in most regards except the weight/density.

I had to switch out some tubes in my CSP2+ from what I was using with the Marantz to better complement the Denafrips and provide a little more density/bass.

I've used Schiit BiFrost and Modi before and was never impressed with either. My range of DAC experience is pretty narrow as I enjoyed the Marantz sound and usually have a limited budget.

My budget for a new DAC was $1000, was looking at R2R - Denafrips or MHDT.

I'm running it through a Mini-Torii (V1 - I love 6v6 tubes), CSP2+ and Omega CAMs with an Omega Deep hemp Sub.

I think it is a keeper. I've enjoyed the detail and presentation quite a bit. Thinking about a Zbit as a way to increase the density/weight and maybe a bit more tube-rolling in the CSP2+.

The new DAC is NOT better than my Pioneer PLX-1000 with Ortofon 2M Black going through the ZP3, but it is making me listen to digital  A LOT more than I was before. It is a lot of fun to listen to and is making some old music sound new to me. Good times .

I would say that it is really a good deal for under $800. And I got it within 4 days of ordering it. Alvin at Vinshine is great to work with.

Scott

Two more things to add. First, the Ares 2 is very black - very quiet background in which the instruments just sit. Also is quite laid back in general, but not in a bad way. More like the instruments are just playing from spaces in the room, rather than being projected at you. Second, I have a Cambridge Audio CXU, which has the same Wolfson chips as the CXN - though the implementation may be different. The CXU is more laid back and natural sounding than the Marantz SA-8005 I used, but the Denafrips is more detailed and enjoyable to listen to than the CXU. I prefer the Ares 2 over the Marantz and the CXU. My thoughts anyway... as they trickle into my head .

Thank you for your impressions!  I have the Pontus II and will experiment on speaker placement/toe in and see if I see an improvement above what i am experiencing consistent with yours.
Bob

Hi Scott,

I have been following your Denafrips Ares 2 journey, so it was good to see you post again with a  follow-up.  I am interested as I am considering a DAC in the future.

I may be jumping the gun on my Aris 2 interest as I am on the waiting list for a Rachael, which probably will not happen until next year.  Also, my primary source of music is streaming, with Cambridge CXN (v2) and a good, vintage amp.  My weak link is that I use Spotify, and planning to switch to  Qobuz when the time is right. In the meantime, I have been working away getting things ready, which brings me back to the Aris 2.

My impression from what I have read is that ordering the Aris 2 now may be premature for me due to Spotify and its limits.  I assume that would not be the case for Qobuz or perhaps when Spotify upgrades to "Hi-Res" sometime this year.  I am also contemplating adding a CD transport to my system, and that would reap the benefits from the Aris, I assume.    
So, my question:  Should I currently stand pat or move on ordering the Aris 2?  Your thoughts and those from others is appreciated.  Thanks for sharing your experience with the Aris 2.  It looks like its price has increased a bit since you bought yours.  Do you know of a seller that is still offering it at a sub- $1K range?  It seems like these prices are firmly set.

Hi Donnie,

I just logged on to Vishine as you suggested, and it lists currently at $1098.00.  I thought I should pull the trigger at a sub $1K price, but could not find it.  Do you have a link that shows that price? Any suggestions? Thanks.

DENAFRIPS ARES II R2R DAC
S$1,098.00Price

Brilliant. I had missed that.  Thanks.

My attachment to Spotify is mainly due to years of play list building that I enjoy.  This year as my system has evolved with additions like Caintuck OB's and Cambridge streamer, various weak links (like Spotfiy) are more apparent.  As Rachael is still months away, if there has been any benefit to the long wait it is that I keep learning how to improve my listening environment.   To that end, the Decware community has been invaluable.

Hi Tony,

I don't have the CXN, I have a CXU (same Wolfson chips) and I quite liked it. Lots of people on here do, and it can be modded with tubes as well, which seems to up it to a whole other level (there are a few discussions on here about it).

A CD player can be connected to the CXN and Cambridge makes a nice CD transport.

Personally, I would wait for the Rachael amp and use the CXN for now as it is no slouch - and it sounds similar to the Ares 2. I will point out that when using low res files from Spotify or YouTube, the Ares 2 does NOT make them sound great. The Marantz DAC I used to use would make them sound better as it was so dynamic and forward sounding. The Ares 2, in my experience, seems to sound REALLY flat/anemic with low res files. I used to not mind watching a YouTube video and listening, now it is hard to do so. I use Quboz or my CD library saved to a Hard Disk for most listening.

I hope this helps. It is so hard to figure out what to do when you can't hear anything before hand. I hate having to have intestinal and financial fortitude. Best and let me know if I can be of any additional assistance,

Scott

Hey GS, I wanted to let you know that I followed up on your suggestion to use Soundiiz.com to transfer playlists from Spotify to Qobuz, and it works like a charm.  Conversion success around 90% or higher.  I still find it easier to create playlists in Spotify, but have been enjoying the improved sound quality of Qobuz.  Thanks again for the tip.

I purchased an Ares II a few months ago and am blown away by what this thing can do. I am waiting for a Torii Jr and currently have this in my office hooked up to my MacBook Pro and the addition of this DAC has totally transformed my desktop system. It is a night and day difference in terms of the immersive, dimensional change to soundstage. The sense of space, air, and the decay of notes is incredible.

Let me chime in on this one too as I got an Ares a couple of months back, and consider it to be one of my best purchases of the year along with the Cambridge CXNv2 and Randy's Open Baffle Fast 8's and bass baffle.  I was hesitant initially as the Cambridge has a good DAC, and I was not sure if the Ares would add anything more.  It did.  Reading derekinla description from above, I just found myself nodding my head "yes" in agreement with each one.