Denafrips Ares 2 Review - Not really NOS, but lovely!

I really enjoyed this video. I’ve owned this DAC for about a year now. I have to admit I started watching this video with reservations and my defenses up. But it was so thorough and on point with excellent description of how the Ares II performs. You really well articulated why I love this DAC so much. Keep up these great videos. I’m going to patron now.

I purchased this in march, plugged it in, set up and have hardly touched it since. It's a joy. I'm glad I've not personally heard better, that way I can simply enjoy it without endlessly chasing my tail.

The amount details in this review was quite nice; well done. The way you produce your content is enjoyable to watch, always waiting with a little anticipation for the next one.

I gotta say that I really enjoy your music "recommendations" that you use for testing. It gives me a chance to explore new artists and songs I hadn't heard before.

Your content is consistently of really high quality. Please keep it up.

Thank you for including gamers in your review.

Big props to going in depth with the oversampling modes. I don't know any reviewer that does this.

You produce chill, high quality content. Appreciate it.

Fab video, you are so great at getting complex theory across in a really engaging and easy to understand way - loved it!

Very interesting what you mention about NOS mode. On my Holo Audio Spring I always used to listen in NOS mode. Now on the Denafrips T+ I am happy with OS. Good to hear that lots of the virtues of a ladder DAC shine through in the more ‘budget’ offering.

Thank you! You review just saved me a lot of money and frustration. I was planning on buying the Ares II for my home theater setup, but the changeing input delay is a deal breaker for me. So glad I found this video!

Just to say huge props for the Boogie Belgique recommendation! Love it, never heard before, no idea electro swing was even a thing, but now obsessed!! Cheers

Wow, your videos are so good and your knowledge is so extremely valuable. Wish you would have brought this video out months ago. I had this DAC and I tried to set it up with a miniDSP that has a four Channel output, into two separate DACs so that I could send high pass filter to the speakers, and a low pass filter to my subwoofer. I'm fairly new at doing this stuff so.... You can imagine the problems I had when I finally figured out the random delay output from this DAC would change. It took me weeks of trying to figure out that I wasn't doing anything wrong, but the DAC was creating the problem. I think you are the only reviewer that mentioned this problem.... Please keep up the outstanding work.

Can't wait for the VMV D1se review. I already decided I wanted to buy the Ares 2, but if the VMV D1se is on par with it I have to wait for the review, as I felt your recommendations quite nicely fit my personal preferences, so your opinion definitely holds more weight for me than other reviewers.

You are spot on. It’s a great review. Honest with comparisons that give viewers a reference point. TQ!

Best and most useful Ares 2 review I've heard. Knowing the output drive limitations was news to me and means I can reconfigure my set up to get better performance. Thanks.

another amazing review!

You are the only one that found this out! Can't wait for the Holo Spring 3 review!😊

I’ve been in market for a DAC & have narrowed it down to the Denafrips Ares II at the top of my list. This video was really an informative one & will help me in my decision.

Thank you for showing how a review can be worth watching. No marketing fluff, no “audiophile” sweet talk - just pure information. Plus someone who actually knows how a real instrument sounds. Thank you 🙏