Mine Audioheads: Denafrips Ares II DAC $650+shipping (1 Viewer)

[slurpeee]

Not sure how many audio gear folks there are here, but I've had such positive transactions in the past at PCF, figured I'd give it a shot selling it here first.

I bought in Sept after hearing all the hype surrounding it. The hype is for real IMHO (few of the reviews linked below). I love the sound. But its on a system in a spot in the house I don't use much, and in hindsight that money would be better spent on a headphone rig.

It is mint, hard to tell from new, and in original packaging. Purchased in Sept. These are currently going for $806 (works out to be a bit less w/ exchange rate) but are hard to get and often on backorder. Selling mine for $650 + shipping (actual shipping cost; you pick the method). To U.S. only.

A few reviews: Darko, Audiophilliac, HiFi Trends, Cheap Audio Man

 

[Mr_Y3RAC]

I'm an absolute audio noob. Could you explain to me what makes this a good DAC and what makes a bad one? I just think its interesting

 

[slurpeee]

It's a combo of the chipset, and the surrounding engineering. In terms of sound, highly subjective of course, but as you move up the the quality scale you start to things like a bigger soundstage, a more full, sense of the music is being played in the room with you vs a digital recording. It's all quite subjective and everyone has their own preferences. At the end of the day a good DAC, when paired with the right surrounding equipment brings the music to life.

 

[Budha]

Nice to see another audio dude here!! Are you running this as part of a CD rig, or as part of a digital streaming rig?

I just got into the streaming game myself and picked up a Blue Sound NODE 2i not that long ago. Running it through my Classe DAC 1. I’m old school analog, 2 channel - lol. I still spin vinyl and most of my gear is tube (I have one SS amp) - lol.

 

[slurpeee]

Nice to see another audio dude here!! Are you running this as part of a CD rig, or as part of a digital streaming rig?

I just got into the streaming game myself and picked up a Blue Sound NODE 2i not that long ago. Running it through my Classe DAC 1. I’m old school analog, 2 channel - lol. I still spin vinyl and most of my gear is tube (I have one SS amp) - lol.

I like your system! I've been looking at adding a NODE at some point. Now I just run it Apple Music direct from my laptop into the DAC via USB.... . With the new hi-res stuff on Apple, it sounds great. I'm with you all the way on old school, 2 channel vinyl though. Tough to beat.

 

[Budha]

Thanks!! I agree on the vinyl, for sure!!

I like the Bluenote, and it’s actually pretty reasonable $$ and works well! It does all that I need it too.

However, to be honest I really haven’t taken full advantage of the hi-res as I get pretty lousy wi-fi in the media room. There is an option to hard wire it I believe, which would help tremendously.

My biggest challenge is the previous owners had a Control 4 set up and everything, including our router and wi-fi is integrated into the C4 system. It sounds cool, but it’s really not at all, lol.

The C4 systems are by design, not user configurable, so I have pay someone to come out to do anything - and it ain’t cheap.

I was going to rip out the entire C4 system until I found out how much that crap costs - lol. Its real hand-cuff IMO. I guess I understand why the original owners left it - lol.