Denafrips Ares 15th DAC

Tessie

Well-known member
Nov 11, 2024
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I want to buy the Denafrips Ares 15th DAC for my little desktop system. (PC USB connection)
Is this a good combination or is it a waste of money?
 
I never used a standalone DAC before. I just want some options. I listen every day minimal 3 hours to music.
My AMP has the ESS Sabre ES9039 DAC inside but i heard the Ares 15th sounds more musical, so i can switch to it for older or jazz/soul music.
 
I want to say that your DAC is pretty good so I doubt you'll hear a £1,000 improvement, if any. Or maybe try looking at the FiiO K11 R2R if you want to try that different type of DAC, which is £150.

But it's your ears, your pleasure, and your wallet. It's always fun to see what makes a difference, @Friesiansam nailed it: see if you can get one on loan or an easy return if you don't love it.
 
I want to buy the Denafrips Ares 15th DAC for my little desktop system. (PC USB connection)
Is this a good combination or is it a waste of money?
If musical integrity is something you value above accuracy and micro detail, then go for ladder resister solutions or R2R like Denafrips.
If it's the latter, then chipset DACs like ESS Sabre or AKM, is likely to be your best option.
 
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R2R often has a substantial amount of distortion. The solution is to call this coloration "musical" e voila, marketing problem solved.
However the Ares 2 performs surprisingly good. So good it makes you wonder if is musical at all
 
R2R often has a substantial amount of distortion. The solution is to call this coloration "musical" e voila, marketing problem solved.
However the Ares 2 performs surprisingly good. So good it makes you wonder if is musical at all
It's easy to hypothesize but the appeal of R2R, is likely to win favour among the vinyl and tube aficionados.
It's more about taste really.

I have budget FiiO K11 R2R and very fine DAC chipsets to compare, though a little unfair comparison, considering the latter, costs about five times as much.
Nevertheless, it gives you an overview of it's tonality.
Two different types of fish served on a dish.
Do you prefer Salmon or Cod?
 
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It's easy to hypothesize but the appeal of R2R, is likely to win favour among the vinyl and tube aficionados.
It's more about taste really.

I have budget FiiO K11 R2R and very fine DAC chipsets to compare, though a little unfair comparison, considering the latter, costs about five times as much.
Nevertheless, it gives you an overview of it's tonality.
Two different types of fish served on a dish.
Do you prefer Salmon or Cod?
Pricewise I think that should be Bassa or Cod? 🙂
 
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John Dory is expensive but worth every penny. A fillet of cod or haddock will cost less but are no less delicious.

We are v lucky in the volume of quality hifi stuff at our fingertips. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever had Basa.
 
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John Dory is expensive but worth every penny. A fillet of cod or haddock will cost less but are no less delicious.

We are v lucky in the volume of quality hifi stuff at our fingertips. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever had Basa.
John Dory ugly as sin and possibly finest fish with a plate of real chips. I recall when we were at Thurlestone Sands a few summers ago, I had three little John dories on my plate with chips and a pint of scrumpy.............absolute heaven 🙂
 
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