Denafrips Ares 2 DAC Review - The Most Important Component I Have Ever Heard

Got the ARES II today. I was a long time DAC denier.. That is now gone forever. I concur that indeed DAC IS THE MOST IMPORTANT component in your system. I just cannot believe how big, humongous difference there is with ARES and SMSL SU-9 DAC. It is like now for the first time hear any music in true stereo that is not actually stereo but full blown 3D world around your head. I use STAX L700 and T1 amp. Anyone who still claims "DACs dont matter" you are SO wrong. Totally wrong.

It's a rocktopus, man. Wellcome to the Roctopocalypse🤘

I have really enjoyed watching your journey. Thanks for bring us along.

Your description was a literal repeat of my experience the first time I played the Ares II in my system. "Stunning" was the word that came to mind of that moment. Outside of different speakers, I have never heard such a difference in musical presentation from any equipment change in the many systems I have owned for decades. Well after a year and a half I purchased the Pontus II. "Gorgeous" is the word describing my experience when listening to this fabulous piece of equipment.

I got the ARES II in January this year after an amp upgrade and it's just gorgeous. It's plugged into a Yamaha AS 2100 and the combo is just sublime. When I got the AS2100 I felt like something was a little missing when I was listening to digital music (which is the dominant source of playback these days). It turns out this DAC was the icing on the cake. It has more fall off, more depth and timbre than what I had before. Couldn't agree more with your review, it's really hard to put it into words the feeling. Maybe it just feels more real and airy? Just love it.

Thank you Randy. I had been considering this before your review. But really couldn't afford it. Your review pushed me over the edge. Just, Wow!!!

I’d been on the fence about this DAC until I watched your review. Just got mine yesterday and have been binge listening since hooking it up. This one is truly a game changer…I love it. Thanks for posting this review.

You've nailed it. I have never ever had a product and thought, ok, this is it, I don't need to keep looking, nor will I ever feel the need to keep looking. It's so refreshing to find something like this. Hopefully the Hestia preamp will be the same!

High praise coming from you, Randy. This is what I will be saving for based on your recommendation.

Bought an Ares 2 for my Stax set up, loved it. Then bought a Pontus 2 for my home audio system, loved it. For a realistic priced audiophile these dacs have become my end games! Old is new again and affordable, thank you Denafrips.

I think I have watched every Ares ll review over the past year, like twice. Always wanted one but for some reason couldn’t justify the move. Of all the videos this one is the most emotional and passionate. Got one on order finally! Thanks Randy, Happy Holidays!

I had the Ares II and loved it so much that two weeks later I upgraded to Denafrips Venus. Together with a nice Burson Soloist 3XP preamp and a pair of Focal Shape 65 active monitors, magic happens. Anyway, for the money or even for 4X the money, the Ares II is an amazing DAC.

Thanks Randy. I've seen other people's reviews and recommendations for this DAC. But based on your recommendation, I will likely purchase this DAC next month.

An awesome source always makes tunes more better, thanks ☺️

Just waiting for customs to clear my Pontus II. Thanks for the extra purchase confirmation Randy!

Nice video, Randy. My experience of moving up the audio food chain has been through learning about the importance of components used to make the gear. A great linear power supply with the best quality caps will introduce fewer artefacts into the sound. The Denafrips has both. With less noise in the sound, the micro details have a fighting chance of surviving the amplification and conversion to soundwaves further down the chain. Result, less hi-fi, more music. Most people choose hi-fi based on the tonal balance and for that reason, they concentrate on the speakers before all else. What you have proved to yourself is that source matters more. If an average pair of speakers can sound good and the best pair you have can sound great, you don’t have to worry about the cost of the DAC. Just buy cheaper speakers. You can always upgrade the amp and speakers later, but in the meantime you won’t be gritting your teeth every time you hear the sibilance on the vocals.

My friend bought an Ares II a couple years ago. I got to hear it in February 2019. At the time, I owned three DACs ranging from $350 to $1600, including one that was a $1k option integrated into an expensive tube amp I had just acquired. (For 1/3 of retail, thankfully.) To date, all the DACs I heard were a bit cleaner than a sound card and all sounded pretty much the same, except the one in the new amp was very colored. I could tell zero difference between my $350 DAC and $1600 DAC. I listened to his Ares for about 15 seconds, took my headphones back off and said, SOB, it's better! It had more resolution, more depth, separation, etc. Checked all the technical boxes. More importantly, it was musical. I wouldn't call it colored, but it definitely has a sweet tone to it. It's just wonderful to listen to. In an act of friendly oneupmanship, I blew my tax return on a Venus II, after doing a lot of research on the differences in their lineup. It is also wonderful in all the same ways. It is also barely any better than the Ares. I only listened to them side by side for a short time, but I could not tell a difference save for a very tiny increase in depth and cleanliness and then, only with my very best equipment. (LCD-4 headphones and Audiovalve Solaris tube amp.) With my Topping A90, or his Schiit Ragnarok 2, I could not tell the DACs apart. Bottom line, go buy an Ares and don't look back. If I could go back two or three years and tell past Zack to buy an Ares and A90 as they become available, I would save a LOT of money and want for nothing. I am addicted to tubes now and won't give them up as my "Sunday ride." That is a different discussion, but I will say that the Denafrips DACs go a long way to breath life and 'soul' into otherwise sterile solid state systems.

I bought the Ares II DAC for my Hegel H160 partially due to this review and I agree that it improved my listening experience. The imaging has better layering and voices and instruments have more air. Definitely worth the upgrade.

I have a suggestion for you. When you switch from OS to NOS, also push the phase reverse switch. It might surprise you how good NOS can sound when in proper phase.

Yup, been wanting one of these for quite a while, ever since Steve G and his buddy Herb R talked about it being their reference, good enough for me! And now you! Saving my lunch money😉