ARES II vs D90 vs Bifrost 2 vs ADI-2 vs Gungnir vs Qutest [Mega DAC Roundup & Comparison]

Man, you have golden ears and if you lived near me, I would have just send you everything I have so you can help me review it. Thanks for the shout out!

No sound samples no like

Lmao you made it non boring thanks

I am wondering if you have compared the ARES 2 with Audio GD R2R DAC like the R1 (around the same cost I think)

Paid advert. Don't watch!!!

Topping no, China has enough of our money, built in china with technology and intellectual property from Japan, Europe and America

I love that he put different voices dependent on country. Fun watch

Extremely boring !

chinese stuff is not better than germany made

Guaranteed you could not tell which dac was which in a blind test.

The ADI--2 is a blank, its sound floor is lower than the equipment measuring it. The RME it's so transparent it's almost sterile, I just can't this review seriously.

I don't want signature sound. I want a sound as true to the recording as possible. So what DAC would you recommend?

Great comparison reviews. That was a major undertaking to compare so many. You may want to do an update since several of the models have added features and/or improved specs.

I’ve read from others reviewers describing the area ii as warm , smooth almost vinyl like . That’s the reason I didn’t purchase it . I went with the SMSL m400 , personally if I want that sound I ply my records , I’m new to to digital world of dacs and that the last thing I want .

It's adorable you think there's a difference and that you can hear it.

Anybody who just wants laser sharp clarity and focus above all else should probably just get a Delta Sigma DAC for a couple hundred that’s reputed to be the best bang for the buck and call it a day 😂 The better DAC designs get fairly expensive (stating the obvious here) 😉

Nice try, but…. You can’t tell me ANY of those sound BAD.. it’s all a matter of preference and ALL deviations from unit to unit are subtle.
It’s easy to pick between 2 DAC’s when A/B’d with same gain and EQ, if you have GOOD revealing equipment, but casual listening on any of them singularly will sound fine. Sorry, but DAC’s seem to get analyzed ad naseum to the point of insanity. The differences in recordings can defeat the benefits of any given DAC. Iow, garbage in, garbage out.
Also, as you pointed out, some genres are great on clinical units, and others on the warmer, and possibly more diffused units. Anyone that needs more than 2 good DAC’s for use on only one system, should really seek professional help from a medical professional that has experience with psychoacoustics lol

Completely right about the Chord Qutest 😊! When will version 2 come out, is the question right now?

Didn't know the RME has been out for 2-3 years. I'm considering it. And it's a tough call, because I am well aware of the other DACs, but the powerful headphone amp, PEQ, and color display is a huge quality of listening improvement. The only problem for me is price. I think I could settle, for now, on a less expensive DAC, but in the long run I'd still want the RME. I think therefore I'll just have to wait and save up. I believe this would be a one and done DAC... and, doesn't even seem like I'd even need another headphone amp to pair it with like a Monoprice THX. Maybe, maybe not. Those are that expensive. Enjoyed your review, but stopped at the Chord.

I understand that the ideal DAC does not exist. It's best to have them all, plus the lamp.
But still, which musical genres are more suitable for which DAC? And with what speakers?
I think that hard rock, metal, big meaty with a big stage is better than R2R. Pop and New Age, New Wave, Light Rock, Classical and Vocals for FPGA. Electronic and pop music, 80's, 90's synth-pop on RME ADI-2, because the equalizer ;) More modern electronic music and indie with a small stage is better on Toping D90. And leave computer tracker music for ESS Saber to... :))

Hmm I just bought a Geshelli J2 AKM based on CAM's hype. But I think the Ares II might be in my future at some point.

I've done a similar DAC shootout and I couldn't tell much of a difference. I know that goes against everything we audiophiles stand for..... and I'm sorry. :( I used Susvara headphones, AHB2 as my front end. As revealing as you can get.

Exactly , I dont care about the views , I just want the truth lol I totally Agree😁

BAS? You make try this 777 - Zeamsone - Aint't Trippin' ;) Thnx for tests

What is the most suatable for rock and metal music?

so, you’re just a chinese sellout

chord
$2k, no balanced out
come on guys.... its 2 fucking thousand

Great comparisons. I just got the RME (ESS version) and totally love it. I already had an older Burson Conductor and I have a really hard time hearing a difference between them while using LCD-X, HD650, or TH900, even though the amp section of the Burson is much more powerful. I was worried it would be too cold or analytical sounding. But it's just a clean "natural" sound, true to the source as a DAC should be. The functionality of the RME is what I got it for. I love using parametric EQs just for minor adjustments and it's just great to be able to do it directly in the DAC instead of relying on Windows software (as good as PeaceEQ and Roon is).

The ability to sit back in a couch and boost or decrease bass/ treble from the remote when that poorly mastered track comes on is a sweet bonus. Enough rambling, it's a great DAC/ Amp packed with well thought out features.

WHich amplifier would you pair with the denafrips ares 2 ?

Tis an awesome review. Perfect for my needs (and for thousands of others'). I love the MidFi designation. I am looking for a DAC to play off my Bluesound Node/v3/130 vs. Its internal DAC. First I believe I will install PD Creative's External Power Source Interface (removing the Node's supposedly noisy internal switching PS), so I can use a low noise linear Power Source...I'm really wondering how the internal Bluesound 130 DAC compares to the the DACs on Part one video? Especially after doing the power upgrade. I don't suppose you have had this experience, or know someone who has?

Bebop wohoow! Nice pick, that was something ;)

I don't know anything about sound, but your command of language and descriptions was very appealing. Now I want to know more about DAC conversion. I'm amazed at how long I have settled for bad sound.

Interesting video, thanks

Good review 👍👍

Why would you need a DAC at all when you can feed laptop HDMI into an eARC capable AVR?

If a dac does not feature a hardware EQ of some sort, then it is not worth buying imo.
There is absolutely no reason not to give customers EQ features on a DAC.
Therefore the only DAC worth having in this lineup is the RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

MidFi Guy, if you see this in passing and feel up to sharing your expertise. Between the Bifrost and the ADI for Salsa, R&B & House music which one should I buy? Good looking out my brother ✌🏼

literally give zero fu**s about what amir has to say. If he doesn't see the difference on a measuring rig he doesn't believe its there. Yet I have been hearing obvious differences in my ten years in this hobby. I think those nerds need to STFU. Nobody cares and they are just f-in the hobby up for everyone else.

You seem to be a mainly component man, but if you are familiar with powered speaker all in one solutions, what is some of your favorite options?

I love your reviews! How did you do the narrated translations? 😮

[Translation for non-audiophiles]

Smooth, sweet, soft, intimate: High frequency roll-off
Warm: Boosted mid-bass response
Flat: Without distortion or noise, neutral
Analog: Compressed dynamic range, 2nd harmonic distortion
Punchy: Lots of 2nd harmonic distortion
Analytical, sharp, harsh: Low frequency roll-of, 3rd harmonic distortion
3D, holographic: Compressed dynamic range, bad low signal linearity
Air, shimmer: Extended high-frequency response
Weight, authority: Extended low-frequency response

[I think you get the idea... ;)]

What's with the loud humming noise in the video?

Good to hear you can hear so many differences..
The RME helps with imbalance issues?? Whyyy? I have used that feature on amps to test channel issues and speaker connects but on a DAC 🤔
Also- I assume you were saying Gungnir but 95% of the time it sounded like Gumby (the plasticine toy tv show).. I had to look up list to make sure I wasn’t crazy.

Without hearing I would lean RME or Denafrips. The topping..well I’m suss about build quality and I understand they sometimes design to test well that can affect listening performance. RME have solid testing/review/measurements and respected in pro audio. If I went RME I would likely go this model, Denafrips I would be tempted to go for a higher model..but I guess then you have to consider Holoaudio.
I’m big on FPGA but chord just look a little silly and about half of their reviews make the sound sound slightly unappealing.

You sound like Daniel LaRusso

Great review. Lots of work and time put into this. 👍

Am I the only one who simply will not purchase any China-made Hifi no matter the value or sound quality?

You are the best! Thank you!!!

Disagree with topping D90 sounding better than the RME. The opposite is the case. RME makes so much work of the implementation in the long existing Adi II Dac, whereas the Topping D90 is just another model again.

Great video, I was going to get Denafrips ARES II but I listen to a lot of electronic music, and this DAC would not be for me, thanks for this video it is helping me to decide what dac to choose. I am going to get RME ADI-2 since he point out that this dac is great for electronic music. Not all dacs and speakers sounds great on all genres, and depending of what genres you listen to is the equipment that should alines to the music you listen to.