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Post by covenant on Feb 12, 2021 16:01:27 GMT
I have just sold a Soncoz dac that I liked but noticed sibilence on less than perfectly recorded tracks, once you hear it you are always looking out for it. I would like to try an R2R dac, from what I have read they tend to produce a natural sound generally free of digital harshness. I want to spend under £1000 and was thinking of the Denafrips Ares 11. It gets almost universal praise but are there alternatives? Dont think I could live with the Soekris as it has a case that looks like pond water and I think it uses a SPMS power supply.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 12, 2021 17:22:32 GMT
A friend of mine was on the same quest and ended up with the Denafrips - he's only had it a couple of weeks but pleased so far.
There is the Musician Pegasus available new for around 860.
If you were lucky you might find one of the very well regarded Holo DACs for just under 1k used condition.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 12, 2021 17:36:41 GMT
Be careful to select different test recordings, as sometimes it's the recording itself that has sibilance.
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Post by jandl100 on Feb 12, 2021 17:55:04 GMT
I've a MyST 1866 R-2R DAC and it does have a naturalness to it that is distinctive and just sounds 'right' without being especially great in any particular way.
I've previously had an early Metrum ladder DAC and that didn't seem particularly special. So the tech isn't a magic bullet.
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Post by Slinger on Feb 12, 2021 18:24:52 GMT
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Post by covenant on Feb 12, 2021 18:46:00 GMT
Be careful to select different test recordings, as sometimes it's the recording itself that has sibilance. Didnt notice it as a problem with good old Beresford dacs Martin. Perhaps they dont have the resolution of the modern dacs but I suspect its the Sabre chip.
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Post by mikeyb on Feb 12, 2021 19:54:43 GMT
I wouldn't touch the Pegasus, check out the reviews on YouTube by The Next Best Thing Studio and see what you think.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 12, 2021 20:16:39 GMT
Didnt notice it as a problem with good old Beresford dacs Martin. Perhaps they dont have the resolution of the modern dacs but I suspect its the Sabre chip. No, I really don't think it's the chipset. The Sabre is far more revealing than the Wolfson, for sure. Paul Simon's voice can be sibilant, as in One Trick Pony, where he is possibly too closely mic'd. However, the stick work and bells are in another league using the Sabres. High resolution demands the purest digital playback chain.
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 12, 2021 21:10:44 GMT
That had me going
What on earth does he want a Reel to Reel DAC for I thought, ah I see
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Post by Clive on Feb 12, 2021 22:14:50 GMT
I used to have sibilance issues. In my case it was a combination of a very live room and my speakers at the time. I doubt the cause will have been the DAC.
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Post by covenant on Feb 13, 2021 12:32:26 GMT
Thanks for the link Slinger, much appreciated. The Orchid looks interesting but seems to get mixed reviews. Not really heard a bad word about the Ares 11.
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Post by robin5 on Feb 15, 2021 12:17:16 GMT
The issue with Denafrips is the lack of support. There aren’t even any demo models. I bought an Aqua r2r in the end.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2021 12:30:45 GMT
The issue with Denafrips is the lack of support. There aren’t even any demo models. I bought an Aqua r2r in the end. Is it the Formula xHD Rev. 2? www.aquahifi.com/formula.htmlPlease do report on what you hear, or write a review. I'm sure a few members will be following this closely.
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Post by robin5 on Feb 15, 2021 12:54:05 GMT
It’s the Aqua La Scala. The Formula is about 10K I believe. Slightly over the op’s budget.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2021 14:25:47 GMT
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Post by robin5 on Feb 15, 2021 14:34:56 GMT
Yes indeed. Has 2 small tubes to add a little something - probably distortion but I like it! As with much hardware I find supports + mains cable can extract that little bit more..... And it’s an r2r. I reread this - yes a mains cable helps. I’m using a Shunyata on it.
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Post by mikeyb on Feb 15, 2021 20:26:23 GMT
The issue with Denafrips is the lack of support. There aren’t even any demo models. I bought an Aqua r2r in the end. That’s not lack of support, they can’t keep enough in stock to have demo versions., it would seem that what they get in they sell. The ‘support’ from Willowtreeaudio and also Denafrips is supposed to be excellent. You can always buy one and return it, will only cost you postage one way. Edit: When used Ares 2 are commanding £50 off retail price you know they’re in short supply 😉
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Post by covenant on Mar 16, 2021 17:23:30 GMT
Thought I would resurrect this thread as I have bought the Denafrips Ares 11 and been listening to it for a few days. No sibilance up to now but the big surprise is the soundstage. Much better than anything that I have heard before, the music seems to wrap around as if I had surround sound. Bass is better than before but is well contolled, really lifelike voices. Perhaps the extreme treble is not as pronounced as the Soncoz but its early days and I have to mess around with filters and USB instead of SPDIF. Altogether the best improvement I have made in the last ten years.
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Post by Slinger on Mar 16, 2021 17:37:26 GMT
Happy Birthday to you, covenant. It looks like you've bought yourself a great present. I know a couple of guys on another forum who have bought the Ares II and are as happy as you seem to be.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 16, 2021 17:43:48 GMT
Yes it appears to be a great DAC, nice result!
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