Birsppy Denafrips ARES II DSD DAC PCM1536 DSD1024 Balanced Resistance R2R Decoder SPDIF FIFO Low Jitter Digital Audio Decoding USB HDMI Sound Card

I purchased the ARES II to replace my 1 yr old Musical Fidelity: V90-DAC. The ARES is more open in the top end with tighter and louder bass. Listen to some of my Heavy Metal song's drum sets sound much tighter and louder. Other type of music such as Jazz and acoustic musics has a more "3D" sound stage. Instruments are more live like with better depth.Highly recommended.

This is my first R2R DAC pairs quite well with my STAX setup, great DAC with all around performance tough to beat at the price point.The size is great little bigger than THX 789 AMP and STAX SRM-D50 stacks up pretty neatly and doesn't take up a lot of space.

Outstanding

First off, if this seems like a lot of money compared to your current system parts, it will take a substantial upgrading of your other parts to outshine this DAC. It can bring additional air/spaciousness to your recordings but if you already have tubes in your system you might not hear a difference. I found the Topping D90 to be more precise in placing and separating instruments in my $9k system (if all bought new, which it wasn't). If you're using Tidal you might want to get the Topping D90 MQA version to take full advantage of the MQA offerings, but I didn't experience a difference in quality - it always depended on the recording. I would look at the features between the two instead: the Topping has a remote, has a built-in preamp (not exceptional, but it's OK), Bluetooth connectivity, it tests really well (if that's how you pick your equipment), has an IS2 input, and some places will take it back if you don't like it - if you don't like any Denafrips product, you can't return it. If all you need is a DAC and don't care about getting up to switch inputs or don't care about using the Bluetooth to connect to your phone or such, an Ares II could serve you well. I just wanted to give my humble opinion for those with modest systems that it's probably better to spend on upgrading the rest of your components (especially speakers) before you consider jumping around to this or that DAC. looking for an earth-shattering experience. Both the Topping D90/D90 MQA and Denafrips Ares II are great DACs and I think you'd be impressed with what you hear, and you'll be good for a long while.

After seeing such terrific reviews of the Ares II DAC, I decided to buy one and see for myself (Note: the only authorized seller for the US is Vinshineaudio).After using the Ares II for a month I can say this DAC is a keeper. Fantastic smooth "analog-like" sound quality. I'm feeding it via the USB input. I've tested with all types of files, up to DSD512. Realize, that this is just a DAC, without many frills. No remote control. No automatic stand-by mode. My only gripe is since it lacks a remote control, I wish they had enabled the device to auto shut off after a period of inactivity.Also, as many have stated, the LEDs are very small and are recessed so that you can only see them when you are directly in front. Unfortunately, that lead to me forgetting the unit is still on for long periods.I did a direct A/B comparison between the Ares II and a PS Audio DirectStream DAC. The DirectStream as I had it configured costs $6,899. Granted the DirectStream has more features. However, when comparing sound quality, I would say the the Ares II was almost as good as the DirectStream. Maybe 90-95% of the DirectStream. Without me going back and forth I would not have been able to tell any difference - they're that close (listening on KEF LS50 speakers). The PS Audio DirectStream seemed to have a tiny bit more detail.

Great audiophile find. I stumbled on this DAC because I kept seeing one great review after another on YouTube and the internet. Believe the hype. It’s real. GiveS somewhat of a throwback sound, in the best way possible. In my experience it gives off a bigger and wider soundstage. Adds more clarity and deep to the presentation. Bass is solid. Good separation of instruments in the music. Only negatives are no remote or auto shut off/bypass and no volume control, but I’m sure you’ll pay more for all those features elsewhere and probably won’t get the musicality of this DAC. People are comparing it to DACs that are many multiples higher in cost and come to the conclusion that this one holds its own well. Punches above it’s weight class to use an over used phrase.

I've owned the Schiit Bifrost and Topping D 90 along with several other DAC's and the Denafrips Ares 2 is my favorite. It captures the depth of field and full throated vocals that I crave from my music. It rivals my records for a pure analog sound. You will love this DAC if you're a music lover with good enough equipment to take advantage of its capabilities.

This is an awesome DAC with lots of killer online reviews. I bought directly from Denafrips, through their authorized distributor.