Ares R2R Loaner

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by sphinxvc, Jun 9, 2017.

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  1. alvin1118

    alvin1118 MOT - VINSHINE AUDIO

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    No worry @Elnrik, I'm a positive person. I"m glad that i could participate to provide the DACs for tour here in SBAF.
    It's a good way to allow music lovers to audition the DACs in their preferred environment (i.e. home) to find out whether you like it or otherwise; i see this as a great opportunity to both parties.

    Nothing wrong to say no, it's all boils down the the music taste and preference. For one good example, I am the big fans of Harbeth, a classic British BBC loudspeakers with musical, mellow warm British sound signature. People who prefer highly resolving & high fidelity loudspeakers will not like Harbeth, vice versa.

    Enjoy the music!
     
  2. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Here’s my impressions on the Denafrips Ares DAC (which I had shared with @Elnrik via PM earlier as well) and again thanks to @alvin1118 for the opportunity:

    (Set-up = USB input from LHL 20G/Revive – Singxer not in the circuit yet as awaiting digital coax cable – XLR to Cavalli LAu feeding Ether C Flows, mix of FLAC and DSD tracks)

    Narrower soundstage, and a bit hollow in the middle. Bottom heavy sound-stage, not just bass, but image is more of pear shaped kind of sound signature. Okay lower end impact, but seems to have a bit of emphasis in the mid-bass and some lower end bloom, like they wanted to show the bass, but couldn’t get it properly controlled.

    Vocals a bit recessed and veiled – not as “live” sounding. Pluck of strings is not as clear, strumming seems like the edges have been rounded off a bit. Not as much plankton across the spectrum. Not “digital” sounding, but not overly resolving or engaging, especially if you’ve heard better. Might be a bit bright for some in certain passages depending on the cans used.

    No problems with DSD or changing between sampling rates

    Lights on front are very subtle, both in size and brightness – almost like faint red/orange pin-pricks

    Doesn’t come close to the Holo Spring L3 IME.

    (Changed set-up to include the Singxer, being fed digital coax out of my SU-1 and then is connected to the "B2" of my LAu, with the Spring L3 connected to the SU-1 via I2S/HDMI and connected to "B1" of the Liquid Gold, allowing me to switch back and forth between the Ares and the Spring L3 by simply changing the Input toggle on the front of the LAu).

    The Ares does appear to benefit significantly from the SU-1 taking on USB translation duty and sending the 1's and 0's over coax versus relying upon the USB implementation of the Ares itself. The Spring still beats it, especially in detail retrieval and texture of the bass, but not by as much as the prior comparison using the USB input of the Ares. The Ares "hollow-middle" problem is noticeably better as well, but not solved. It's like you're changing a bit between 2-D and 3-D when you switch between them, with the Spring putting the space between the instruments, the notes and texture getting in better focus, and the details coming back in, like opening a window that's a little dirty to really see what's out there (and yes, I know that metaphor is overplayed in the audio community). So the Ares is better using the Singxer SU-1, but still has some issues.

    TL;DR - Ares using USB output I didn't like at all, but the addition of the Singxer seemed to help quite a bit, although still clearly prefer my reference Holo Spring L3 DAC.
     
  3. alvin1118

    alvin1118 MOT - VINSHINE AUDIO

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    I had the Holo Spring Level 3 for a while (a customer who trade in the Spring for Terminator)
    I have to agree, it's a strong competitor of the Ares :)
     
  4. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Both Ares and Pontus benefit from use of a DDC. When I am able to post the USB measurements of the Ares and Pontus you will see corroboration with what ears are hearing. I think @alvin1118 should be applauded for bravely subjecting two new products so openly to evaluation. Constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement would be a very good approach.
     
  5. alvin1118

    alvin1118 MOT - VINSHINE AUDIO

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    Thank you sir @atomicbob too for you time spent to take details measurement of the DACs.
    I am happy to contribute. Just like what i did for local community, I sent two Ares and one Pontus for tour in Singapore. After all, i enjoy this hobby very much, that's what matters most.
     
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