Blown Away!! High End DAC but AFFORDABLE! The Denafrips Ares 12th-1 CAN BE YOUR END GAME!

It’s pronounced Den, like den of bears. It seems like the correct name should be the first thing before you review something

It never ends...

but there are known options as gustard and musician, I belive it would be worth to consider them

I'd be interested in a comparison between the Ares 12th-1 and the Geshelli J2 Socketed (AK4499 version), with Sparkos SS3602 op-amps.

Just heard of Denafrips a few weeks ago.

What I don’t understand is why you have many end of game dacs because the technology haven’t improved so fast in all this years

Looking to upgrade DAC in my system with Hegel 190 and Dynaudio Heritage Special, Would the Ares be the better option or should I go with Pontus?

Note: published prices from distributor are Singapore prices, US price about 20% less. Got the Pontus about a month ago. Mighty fine, elegant SQ and hardware quality.

I would like to ask the same question as the first commenter questioned. How does this dac compare to the internal dac in the eversolo dmp-a8?

Tray audio gd r8 mk3 . You will change the optinion so fast …

You came soooo close to the comparison I need - the Weiss DAC 204. I had one in my system for a little over a week just after the new year. I absolutely loved it. I’m also using the Node X and a yet to be determined CD transport. My question would be a comparison between the Weiss and this Denfrips. Thoughts?

The Pontus 12th is also in the mix if that one compares more favorably with the Weiss. The Weiss is just a bit out of my budget for a while.

There’s no way in 2024 I’m buying a dac without a volume remote or app for volume.

It's pronounced "Deh na frips," not "Dayy na frips." You Ohio guys, lol ;-)

Made in China 🇨🇳 🤪
U have embarrassed 🇺🇸
W4S 10th edition DAC2V2SE

Great review ..As always ..Thanks 👍

There are days where I just feel like going back to an all analog system. You know?

Why do so many DACs have so few digital inputs .. this DAC has only 1 optical, 1 coax and 1 USB input .. period ! I need 3 optical inputs ! Or 2 optical plus 1 coax .. for my streamer, CD player, and TV .. I think every DAC should have a minimum of 2 optical, 2 coax and 1 USB inputs .. at that price it should be obvious 🤔🙄

Very satisfied with it, especially in combo with the Iris 12th.

I thought Aries II was 750 USD.... now it is 60% up in price. Seems a bit late to the game.

Ares 12th vs. Gustard R26 please! :)

You should try the Gustard R26 dac. Incredible dac. You like silk. It has this and more. Much more.

Looked hard at this company, but went with a Benchmark Media stack. I like supporting American companies, but will likely go with HIFI Rose Streamer 130 when funds allow. Keep up the great content.

review some really popular dacs like schiit bifrost 2/64, gustard r26, ferrum wandla , you will be surprised by their price to perfomance ratio

I bought my Ares12th-1 a few motnhs ago. I am totally agree in your review, its a stunner. I pair it with a Luxman integrated and it actually improved so much the lower end. Sounds so organic and it really has that analog feeling. I will stick with the Ares12th-1 for long time, I am totally satisfied with Denafrips.

I just ordered mine 😎

Thanks

You should go to the Venus

Thanks for the great review. How different is Ares 12-1 compared to Ares-2 with latest firmware?

Cool what's the song at the end?!

Wondering how I can use this DAC with my PS Audio MK-1
DAC/ Streamer with Bridge II Board employing ROON?

Thank you for the review; appreciate your perspective.

Get some Atoll products from France. Everything handmade in Europe and not China. But I am sure they are you not paying you or giving you free samples.

There are no Denafrips engineers, just Schitt engineers. I thought I was being so funny I coughed my beer over my Von Schweikerts.

Wonderful for you that you consider a $1300 DAC to be affordable.

Now I have buyers remorse for only spending $829 on my Schitt Bifrost 2/64.

How does this DAc compare with the Weiss 204?

Only thing s missing: a remote and/ or trigger in/out

it’s $1,300 singapore dollars… closer to $1,000 USD.

Hi tnx for the review. Have you heard the holo audio dac spring 3 ?

geshelli labs j2s comparison?

Thanks!

Thanks!

Vs Eversolo DMP-8?