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

[@Seedlinux]

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.

[@morrimoto]

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

[@michaelsparrow4798]

not the 1st person to make this oopsey!

[@BostonMike68]

Yeah you are right. I usually see it for $780

[@jungtarcph]

Yeah.... Try in Europe with import and taxes and vat.... 😅

[@robertgross-p5j]

How does this DAc compare with the Weiss 204?

[@reasoned007]

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.

[@vincepack5213]

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.

[@michelrichert9052]

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 🤔🙄

[@johnlockwood367]

Check out the Denafrips Ares II/Enyo. It has two optical, two coax and one USB input. I'm in the same boat and passed over a lot of DACs due to lack of inputs.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

It never ends...

[@jamesmilton-willmott7593]

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?

[@bryanbassett2110]

Much better

[@ibassnote]

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

[@Hi-FiChess]

It's not $1,350, it's roughly $1,000 USD

[@SpirallingOut]

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

[@JonMoralesLA]

This is the comparison I would love to see. I just cancelled my order for the Geshelli yesterday and picked up the Ares II. Ares II is just fantastic but I wonder what could have been with the Geshelli.

[@danmarjenka6361]

Even Randy said the Denafrips was a game changer. You cannot compare a $1100 DAC to a $400 DAC.

[@danmarjenka6361]

@@JonMoralesLA I don't think you can compare a $1100 DAC to a $400 DAC. Even Randy said the Denafrips was a game changer.

[@akdomun]

How does it compare to the Schitt Bifrost Multibit? It would be interesting to do an A/B comparison!

[@oscarmeelhuysen1786]

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

[@officialMainspring]

better price now. currently Denafrips now offer the Enyo for $699, which is essentially the 12th-1. They upgraded a few components on the new Ares 15th and it's sitting at $1199. I'm going for the Enyo. Looks to be all the DAC I need.

[@0robbi0]

I have just ordered one. Do you like yours?

[@2HatHudders]

I was quite confused about the Enyo, is this definitely 12th-1? I've just ordered the Enyo myself.

[@0robbi0]

@@2HatHudders I was told and I quote 'The Enyo 15th is comparable to the Ares 12-1'. Hope that helps.

[@2HatHudders]

@@0robbi0 thank you, I'm sure they are all comparable. I think they will all sound great.

[@0robbi0]

@@2HatHudders Be aware that Enyo takes about 2 months (in my experience) to fully open up. Enjoy!

[@ebenezerjebaraj]

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

[@johnlockwood367]

I cannot comment on the sound, but the 12th loses one coax and one optical input versus the old Ares II.

[@carminedesanto6746]

I just ordered mine 😎

[@acheresh]

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

[@alexludmirsky457]

Hi! Did you ever listened to the system with Ares12th-1?

[@janulik9535]

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

[@danmarjenka6361]

The Mytek Liberty DAC is also amazing.

[@crashkdw]

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

[@sandmanoseven]

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.

[@bunjidogg]

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

[@spacejaime]

It is for this refined sound.

[@spacejaime]

@@Harrisongrey19 - my brother has one and it sounds wonderful!

[@russelbear5053]

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

[@BostonMike68]

I never thought of spending that much on a dac but I been seriously thinking about getting this for a minute

[@Rose9587]

Vs Eversolo DMP-8?

[@RkyMtnGmr]

I would really love to know how the Ares 12th compares to the DAC in the DMP-A8 also!

[@MasterofpuppetsBS]

Vs Eversolo 6?

[@Pete.across.the.street]

@@MasterofpuppetsBS no, A8

[@MasterofpuppetsBS]

@@Pete.across.the.streetwhy?

[@simonvanesch8607]

Thanks for your Review. I am really interested in how the new Holo Audio Cyan 2 compares to this one. It's in the same price category

[@jos5067]

I still love my Chord Qutest DAC and will wait for the next one. Holo May is interesting too.

[@mlo5083]

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

[@allanwhittle3041]

Great review ..As always ..Thanks 👍

[@Charles12509]

You should go to the Venus

[@reasoned007]

Venus....big price jump

[@khallgrimsen]

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

[@miquifaye]

@@CarlVanDoren61 so what

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

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

[@Antibackgroundnoise]

Wow, so how would one turn on it's, matching preamp automatically.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@Antibackgroundnoise you're right, it was an automatic response. trigger in would do it

[@lamaludwig1470]

Just heard of Denafrips a few weeks ago.

[@gamerfinn3634]

Did u go balanced or RCA

[@BrettShaw]

Ares 12th vs. Gustard R26 please! :)

[@connorduke4619]

Small Room Audio already did that comparison.

[@robk5745]

R26 would absolutely destroy it lol

[@ruger6049]

@@robk5745 Not so.

[@robk5745]

@@ruger6049 owned both and it does

[@matsjohansson5664]

I need a dac that are capable of base slam and are not to expensive?

[@danmarjenka6361]

Consider the Mytek Liberty 1 or 2. The 1 is no longer available new, but it sells used for about $650. It is awesome. The Liberty 2 is $1300 new.

[@HungryEatNow]

It is not because you need to pair with a preamp to your taste...

[@michaeltipsword7396]

geshelli labs j2s comparison?

[@samlee2562]

Cool what's the song at the end?!

[@radiofreealbemuth]

Can I ask how is the noise floor on the Denafrips Ares 12? The product specs says THD+N is 0.004% I'm not sure if this is the spec to look for, when it comes to noise floor, but SMSL SU9 Ultra gets praised for having a black background, and its THD+N is 0.0006%

[@stoicar]

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

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@Wade__T]

Thanks!

[@pistopitpit]

Better sound than Chord Mojo 2?

[@HiFiHuff]

There’s a big difference from the chord sound and denafrips sound. Better doesn’t exist in audio, just different. Denafrips is about the deep wide soundstage, organic imaging, space. Chord is more about detail and impact. So they will sound different. The value is right here for sure.

[@pistopitpit]

@@HiFiHuff thanks, much appreciated.

[@CostJensen]

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?

[@reasoned007]

set a cost limit, and choose. if Pontus cost is acceptable, go for it. I suspect the Aries will be more than sufficient.

[@bebidos5923]

I went for the Pontus directly since I know that I would have wanted the Pontus 12th-1 in the end. I love the pontus and it brought everything I wanted into my system.

[@renatomorais8136]

The Pontus will be better will be better. But here's something else to consider... their DDCs do improve their already great DACs. So, Ares + Iris or straight Pontus? That's a decision I would consider

[@johnkom2339]

Right so with all these "upgrades", I wonder if the 12th beats out the Pontus, in any meaningful way.

[@michaelhavlicek3233]

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.

[@NawMan357]

Nobody really cares….

[@urbantone]

Or NewOntech that’s made in Denmark halleluja

[@tomgillett4791]

Sam Tellig (now retired) loves Atoll gear.

[@tomgillett4791]

No one really cares if you haven't heard any Atoll gear. Have you?

[@luisdimarco5102]

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

[@DavidSusiloUnscripted]

The technology doesn’t need to change. The DAC chip itself is only half of the story. The other part is the analog stage. Analog stage can always be improved.

[@wegardfjeld3789]

Keeping it simple while explaining something very difficult for the 1 and 0 cult. 🙏

[@muralimmreddy]

life of a youtube reviewer :)

[@jungtarcph]

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

[@johnlockwood367]

The Ares II has been re-branded as the Enyo and is roughly US$850. The Ares 12th is a higher model and is about US$1,000 (The $1,300 is Singapore dollars).

[@JonMoralesLA]

@@johnlockwood367I bought the Ares II used in Los Angeles for $650

[@michaelp7185]

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

[@PetraKann]

Do you ever have remorse for the music you listen to?

[@michaelp7185]

@@PetraKann Not! Lol

[@corrrect]

the Bifrost 2/64 is a better dac. don't let fear of missing out and youtube mislead you. just enjoy the music.

[@Prometheus1979]

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

[@Dan-vb3ju]

Dac's don't have remotes or volume...you do that with a streamer.

[@Prometheus1979]

Well dam, I sure thought they did. I use a streamer. Thanks for the info.

[@reasoned007]

Streamer Dacs do, have volume control, though generally not when used as a pre-amp. Typically, the separate pre-amp that the DAC is connected to does the volume control.

[@Prometheus1979]

I understand it better now. Thanks.

[@miquifaye]

@@Dan-vb3ju DACS do have remotes and volume. Gustard, Holo Audio , Audio GD, all R2R DACS with volume control, remote.

[@edwardsalkin9478]

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

[@xsx1113]

$1000+ DAC? Affordable? You're out of touch.

[@_creighton]

as compared to $15,000 + it's very affordable. For this level of quality it's a commitment in cash. In components such as these, you do get what you pay for...

[@casanova9227]

@@_creighton i wanna hear hi end reslotion sound clearity what kinda of dac has to do this i have fiio k7 , ibasso dc07 pro sounds azmazing but i wanna more hi fi sound

[@Woofy-tm8si]

​@@_creightonAgreed. I have a two year old Pontus II and outside of the revised firmware update from over a year ago, I have no desire to upgrade whatsoever. In direct side-by-side comparison to the $2000 ESS Sabre 9038 Pro DAC I already own, the Pontus II utterly destroys it. Damn few delta-sigma DACs under $5K can better the bottom tier Denafrips DACs. Even the non-audio geeks in the house clearly prefer the Pontus II when listening to music because they say it just sounds so much more natural. They both have been members of local symphony orchestras with nearly fifty years of experience between them.

[@marks.2909]

Not everyone work at MacDonalds

[@RkyMtnGmr]

Thanks!