Denafrips ARES II USB R2R DAC Review

[Deleted member 31910]

Many subjectivists

Just believing something doesn't make it true unfortunately, science doesn't work this way. Beliefs != Facts.

How do you know this? How can you be so confident our current scientific understanding of science can explain everything?

I don't really disagree with a lot of what you guys are saying, again, its more the attitude of superiority and certainty...

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” - Einstein.

 

[SubOjectivist]

How do you know this? How can you be so confident our current scientific understanding of science can explain everything?

I don't really disagree with a lot of what you guys are saying, again, its more the attitude of superiority and certainty...

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” - Einstein.

It's not because we don't know the scientific explanation behind an observation yet, that there is none.

 

[tw99]

How do you know this? How can you be so confident our current scientific understanding of science can explain everything?

I don't really disagree with a lot of what you guys are saying, again, its more the attitude of superiority and certainty...

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” - Einstein.

Your username on here is really apt.

 

[mansr]

It's as if some members on this forum are omniscient.

We are also omnipresent and omnipotent. In fact, we are omniomnient.

 

[Wes]

How do you know this? How can you be so confident our current scientific understanding of science can explain everything?

I don't really disagree with a lot of what you guys are saying, again, its more the attitude of superiority and certainty...

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” - Einstein.

of course, that is not question at all

the real question is whether we have a satisfactory approximation based on our current scientific understanding of electronics and mechanics

satisfactory means either [1] no one can hear the difference, or [2] any detectible differences are not preferable

subsidiary issues substitute typical music loving adults for "no one" - i.e. you leave out musicians, or young musicians, and highly trained listeners, or leave out edge cases with six sigma hearing ability, etc.

For the record, I am convinced of this in a practical sense - say up to a $50,000 system (or should I say a $46,000 set of speakers), but not convinced as a matter of scientific research.

Some things are, however, established to a very high degree of certainty.

 

[pimy]

Denafrips Ares II Review :

https://headfonics.com/denafrips-ares-ii-review/

 

[Listentolearn]

Just believing something doesn't make it true unfortunately, science doesn't work this way. Beliefs != Facts.

This would be true if all the facts are known. They are not. Most anyone who has spent serious time listening to good audio equipment using well known test tracks (favorite songs, sonic spectacular recordings, etc) can hear consistent differences when changing a single component or individual cable on good quality audio systems we are well familiar with, usually friends or our own audio systems. We do this all the time when checking out upgrades because we love audio. Many a time things go back and cheaper ones are better.
Sorry if this wrankles with what you think are the facts. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence all over.

 

[JustJones]

This would be true if all the facts are known. They are not. Most anyone who has spent serious time listening to good audio equipment using well known test tracks (favorite songs, sonic spectacular recordings, etc) can hear consistent differences when changing a single component or individual cable on good quality audio systems we are well familiar with, usually friends or our own audio systems. We do this all the time when checking out upgrades because we love audio. Many a time things go back and cheaper ones are better.
Sorry if this wrankles with what you think are the facts. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence all over.

There's plenty of anecdotal evidence for faith healing but if I get sick I'll go to my physician not the nearest tent revival.

 

[tw99]

This would be true if all the facts are known. They are not. Most anyone who has spent serious time listening to good audio equipment using well known test tracks (favorite songs, sonic spectacular recordings, etc) can hear consistent differences when changing a single component or individual cable on good quality audio systems we are well familiar with, usually friends or our own audio systems. We do this all the time when checking out upgrades because we love audio. Many a time things go back and cheaper ones are better.
Sorry if this wrankles with what you think are the facts. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence all over.

 

[BDWoody]

Sorry if this wrankles with what you think are the facts. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence all over.

We just need someone to turn all that anecdote into evidence...so far, hasn't happened. Lots of claims...zero evidence.

 

[Beave]

This would be true if all the facts are known. They are not. Most anyone who has spent serious time listening to good audio equipment using well known test tracks (favorite songs, sonic spectacular recordings, etc) can hear consistent differences when changing a single component or individual cable on good quality audio systems we are well familiar with, usually friends or our own audio systems. We do this all the time when checking out upgrades because we love audio. Many a time things go back and cheaper ones are better.
Sorry if this wrankles with what you think are the facts. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence all over.

Anecdotes are not evidence when proper controls are not implemented in the anecdotes.

 

[raif71]

DACs are not created equal. I used to hear differences among the various DACs but after going through volume matched procedures between 2 DACs ie audiogd r2r r11 and Topping d10s ... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...et-another-a-b-test-of-dacs.19769/post-668743 , I have found that both DACs sound the same when volume matched however, I might add that when the they are listened individually, I find that the r2r r11 sound "better". Better in the sense that volume wise on the L30 amp, the marriage of audio-gd DAC is better than d10s with the amp. The reason is simple, r2r-r11 has higher voltage out than the d10s (5V vs 2V) and this make a difference on the enjoyment of audio-gd with topping setup. No more worries at least for me on whether I might run out of volume headroom at the amp.

 

[Katji]

Well, there are a few facts around here that I am absolutely sure of.
One of them is that forum software will eventually have to advance, or be superseded by Fb.

This would be true if all the facts are known. They are not.

Is that a fact?

How do you know there are facts that are not known?

Most anyone who has spent serious time listening to good audio equipment using well known test tracks (favorite songs, sonic spectacular recordings, etc) can hear consistent differences when changing a single component or individual cable on good quality audio systems we are well familiar with, usually friends or our own audio systems. We do this all the time when checking out upgrades because we love audio.

There are basic facts of Psychology that have been known for about 100 years. ...Maybe you need to install some updates.

PS: Try "read and study to learn." Or just acknowledge that you don't understand the tests.

 

[Wes]

you know there are facts that are not known by your experience in a particular field of inquiry

you don't know for a fact what that fact will be of course

clear?

 

[Kw6]

quite true on this site. Heresy here but audiophilestyle.com caters to folks who listen as well as measure.

Here is a nice write up on Pontus 2 vs Qutest with a bit of Aries 2

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...impressions-as-well-as-the-denafrips-ares-ii/

Thank you!

 

[heavyheadbanger]

Is the Ares II a good starter DAC if I have the money, or should I stick to Topping D30 Pro / Gustard X16, or even cheaper DACs, like the Topping D50s. Wondering about my options as I'm looking to start into audiophile digital music.

Ares II vs Topping D70s?
I'm thinking about this or the lower dacs.

 

[SubOjectivist]

Is the Ares II a good starter DAC if I have the money, or should I stick to Topping D30 Pro / Gustard X16, or even cheaper DACs, like the Topping D50s. Wondering about my options as I'm looking to start into audiophile digital music.

Ares II vs Topping D70s?
I'm thinking about this or the lower dacs.

Depends mainly on the features you want / need (such as inputs available, supported formats, BT, volume control, integrated headphone amp, etc. ...).
If you require just a basic DAC, then a cheap one like the SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK II should probably be sufficient.
What is the rest of your audio setup it will be used along with (speakers / headphones / amplifier)?

 

[Kw6]

Is the Ares II a good starter DAC if I have the money, or should I stick to Topping D30 Pro / Gustard X16, or even cheaper DACs, like the Topping D50s. Wondering about my options as I'm looking to start into audiophile digital music.

Ares II vs Topping D70s?
I'm thinking about this or the lower dacs.

I highly recommend the Ares II! Enjoy!

 

[heavyheadbanger]

Depends mainly on the features you want / need (such as inputs available, supported formats, BT, volume control, integrated headphone amp, etc. ...).
If you require just a basic DAC, then a cheap one like the SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK II should probably be sufficient.
What is the rest of your audio setup it will be used along with (speakers / headphones / amplifier)?

I'm going desktop headphone setup only. Like HD660s, Topping A90, Ares II (or other dac).
Don't need BT, not bothered by MQA (for now), but they will be nice to have.
Nice ideas, cheers.

I highly recommend the Ares II! Enjoy!

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[linger63]

Is the Ares II a good starter DAC if I have the money, or should I stick to Topping D30 Pro / Gustard X16, or even cheaper DACs, like the Topping D50s. Wondering about my options as I'm looking to start into audiophile digital music.

Ares II vs Topping D70s?
I'm thinking about this or the lower dacs.

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