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Denafrips ARES II USB R2R DAC Review

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I had an ARES II......a Gustard X16..... and a Topping D90 before moving up to the more expensive ($2K) Gustard X26Pro

My personal preferred order was
D90
X16
ARES II

Maybe I just like DS and aren't a fan of R2R.......
FWIW............X16 is definitely the cheapest and IMO offers good "bang for buck"

Anyway......Good Luck

I was thinking the Topping A90 would look decent alongside the Gustard X16.
 
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I'd suggest the D70s while you can still buy one. AKM chips won't last forever.
This is was my first high end choice with A90 and D70s.
I see, the problem is with the AKM fire, less chips and higher prices.
Middle choice is for A30 Pro and D30 Pro.
I do like the idea of a Topping stack. Prefer Topping amp, then a choice for the dac between topping, gustard, and the ares 2.
 

SubOjectivist

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This is was my first high end choice with A90 and D70s.
I see, the problem is with the AKM fire, less chips and higher prices.
Middle choice is for A30 Pro and D30 Pro.
I do like the idea of a Topping stack. Prefer Topping amp, then a choice for the dac between topping, gustard, and the ares 2.
So currently, you only own a pair of headphones, no headphones amp yet, correct?
No sure you already have the HD660s actually.

But tbh, I would not spend a lot for an headphone amp + DAC for headphones like the HD660s.
A setup consisting of Topping L30 + D30 for instance, should have not problem to drive them adequately in term of volume and with a clean signal.
 
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So currently, you only own a pair of headphones, no headphones amp yet, correct?

No audiophile equipment yet.
My choice is starting off with HD660S headphones, A90 amp (confirmed my thoughts after watching unbalanced/balanced video from asr amirm),
and I need a dac probably what from what I listed.
 
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Interesting review, basically said it's the best dac under $1k.
However Darko, only reviews the usual audiophile products - not these Chinese based companies - ie, topping, smsl, gustard etc.

I still think this is one of the best value dacs at it's price range of $750.
 

Veri

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However Darko, only reviews the usual audiophile products - not these Chinese based companies - ie, topping, smsl, gustard etc.
Brands like Denafrips and holo audio fall under the same 'Asia-based' companies though... being in a more luxury segment does not remove that fact, nor does them costing more and having resellers like Vinshine or Kitsune audio.. :) just saying. Nothing wrong with that.
 

abdo123

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Interesting review, basically said it's the best dac under $1k.
However Darko, only reviews the usual audiophile products - not these Chinese based companies - ie, topping, smsl, gustard etc.

I still think this is one of the best value dacs at it's price range of $750.

He did review Topping products before.
 
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Brands like Denafrips and holo audio fall under the same 'Chinese based' umbrella though... being in a more luxury segment does not remove that fact, nor does them costing more and having resellers like Vinshine or Kitsune audio.. :)

Yeah I know. I agree.
 

Veri

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Meaning what exactly?
Point fingers at Amir that he should be more thorough at the Ares II measurements?
Just mimicking Amir's panther thing and having a laugh with it. On the SBAF side (where GoldenSound posts) they are definitely critical about everything ASR but that goes both ways..
 

buxtehude

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Just mimicking Amir's panther thing and having a laugh with it. On the SBAF side (where GoldenSound posts) they are definitely critical about everything ASR but that goes both ways..

Sorry. I had absolutely no idea. I thought it was some kind of nice gesture. Sorry for starting the off-topic post.
 
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