Denafrips Venus II R-2R ladder DAC
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- Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2020
- This is the third Denafrips DAC I review. That’s driven by the remarkably good ‘price to sound quality’ ratio. This time even absurdly high sampling rates are supported, next to a lot of inputs. But the real reason to buy this DAC is the price/sound quality ratio.
Corrections:
All Denafrips DAC comes with new DSP board upgraded with the following:
- New Improved Digital Signal Processing FPGA Code
- DSD1024, PCM1536 Supports On USB & I²S Input
- Direct SPDIF Decoding via FPGA (no AKM SPDIF receiver)
- Proprietary USB Audio Solution via STM32F446 Advanced AMR Based MCU
- Licensed Thesycon USB Driver For Windows Platform
- Driverless On Mac & Linux
- Dual AES/EBU Input Supports
- Sharp/Slow Filters Option
- I²S Pinout Configuration
- I²S DSD Channel Swap Configuration
Venus II uses TCXO instead of Crystek Femto
Manufacturer:
www.denafrips.com/venus
Review sample lent by:
www.vinshineaudio.com/product...
Relevant videos:
About my reference setups: • About my reference set...
Review Denafrips Pontus: • Denafrips Pontus R-2R ...
Other relevant links:
Playlist D/A converters: • D/A-converters
If you like my work, support it through:
My Patreon page: / thehbchannel
Paypal: www.paypal.me/theHBchannel
My book: • File Based Audio aka S...
My links:
My site: www.theHBproject.com/en
My channel: / thehansbeekhuyzen
My Facebook page: / hansbeekhuyzen
My Google+ page: www.google.com/+TheHansBeekhuyzen
My Twitter: / hansbeekhuyzen
My reference sets:
About Questions: • About questions
What DAC is the best: • What DAC is the best? 
Наука
I was going to buy the Pontus 2 but after seeing your review , I have decided once and for all to go for the Venus 2 and be done with it. I don’t change gear often , so this should last a good couple of years. Using a Matrix Mini I Pro 3 , it’s ok but I can hear there are limitations since my system is quite revealing. Your review gave me confidence to go up a level. Thanks for a great review.
My pleasure
I love the viewmaster metaphor. That's a great way of illustrating so many things about audio, including how the newest most advanced tech isn't always the "best".
Great review, thank you!! I'm waiting on the Aries II I ordered a few days ago to arrive and I'm already looking ahead to upgrading. In the Denafrips lineup, the Venus II looks to be the DAC I'll end up paring with my PrimaLuna EVO 300 Tube Integrated amp, but anxious to try the Aries II with it in the mean time.
Just recently upgraded from the Pontus II to the Venus II. Immediate difference.. the transparency is unreal, instrument separation is taken another notch up and the ease of presentation can be best described as waves gently crashing against my ear drums. Mid-range is brought forward, and this especially helps with the natural tendencies of the HE1000SE being a bright headphone. Combined with a McIntosh tube amp, this makes the SE's extremely pleasing to listen to.
Who are you kidding dude, I upgraded from Pontus 2 to Venus 2 as well just a month ago and I regret it. There is very little difference and this is with me using a Flux Acoustics Volot as Amplifier using a Susvara and have tested on Hifiman Arya as well. Not worth it!
@@sp6450 do you still have the same opinion? Difference between DACs are so subtle normally that I understand perfectly your comment above
@@TombstoneTube I still have the same opinion and I feel like that opinion has only become that much more sure after doing a side by side A/B comparison.
1. "transparency is unreal" - Very tiny increase compared to Pontus 2. - I feel like this is probably the first thing you notice doing an A/B comparison where you feel like its definitely a good thing while every other aspect of the comparison you are kind of thinking both DACs are giving you their own high end flavor of music.
2. "instrument separation is taken another notch up" - In some tracks you may notice perhaps a very slight change in separation where you could argue the Pontus 2 is possibly giving you the way it was meant to be heard.
3."and the ease of presentation can be best described as waves gently crashing against my ear drums." - Lol what? - Common now lets not use such analogy, its giving people a bigger sense of difference then it really is.
I really wanted the Venus 2 to be everything the OP described, from the description OP gives it sounds like it has raised the bar significantly where it warrants the upgrade to the Venus 2 however this is just not true. The difference is there but you would have to really look for it in various tracks to notice it doing an A/B comparison with both Venus 2 and Pontus 2. Its not worth it.
@@sp6450 yeah.... I've done some big DAC shoot-outs with very very little difference. Dave vs Lamip vs Benchmark and I dare say even the Topping d90... minimal.... why do we all chase after DACS all the time??? good marketing !!!
Great review Hans, you have convinced me. I want a Venus II. Love your work keep it up.
Go for it!
Nice review. What a coincidence! I've just ordered Venus II last week. Cant wait for listening!
Good choice!
Got mine super fast (in Europe), ordered it from Singapore. I don't have much experience with other R2R dacs but I love what I hear.
I can attest to the quality of these Denefrips dacs! They are SPECIAL! Rarely have I been so impressed by dacs in general, but these are something else.
Thanks! I am grateful!
Great review as always. Denafrips is really on a roll!
Yes they are!
Oooh! I'd love one of those! Nice review of lovely hardware.
Thanks!
Thanks Hans, another thorough and enthusiastic review. What a time hifi lovers are living in right now!
Agreed!
Hans brilliant review as normal, really like the sound of you new amp ,going to look that one up. 🇬🇧🤟. I know you’re digital only but can’t You throw in some AMP reviews, I know lots of channels do AMPS but you are the best mate.
For now I stick to digital front-ends. Sorry.
I can,t wait till you tested the Denafrips Terminator; a new step in AudioHeaven.
Great review as always Hans! This is the piece I am targeting for next year maybe. What's your preference of operation for sound quality? Oversampling or NOS?
Seems to be that no matter which price point you fall within... Denafrips have you covered from a sound quality perspective... Again, nice review 👍🏻
Excellent content as usual. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video again thank you. Just wondering how venus compares to holo audio may dac?
Nice review Hans.
Thank you kindly
Your review is really enthusiastics about Venus II, in you opinion sound better then Audio-GD price range model? Some friends describe the audio-GD sound less warm and less effordless then Denafrips Terminator (old version), what's do you thing?
Best of the best, thank you. Keep it up!
Thanks, will do!
Great video, I like the comparison to the Pontus you did, as always a very detailed review!
You now have an Ayre AX-5 Twenty and you just matter-of-factly mention it when reviewing another product? This is huge news! When do we get a video about that? Although it's an amp that hardly needs an introduction or review. That's my dream amplifier when I get enough coin. I've been using the Ayre AX-7e for about the last 10 years; I've upgraded everything else in my set-up but not the amp. Nothing I tried sounded better.
Great review again Hans. Thank you.
Your review on the Ares II made me decide to buy one for myself (price that is within my current budget) and I have to say I am very pleased with it. Your review of the product was spot on.
As the DACs are so good and well designed, it makes me wonder if their other products (i.e. CD transport, Preamps, Amplifiers and Headphone amps) are just as impressive as well?
If you ever get the chance to review some of those products, please consider it. For the love of music ;-).
ares ii is no slouch. would you get 2.5x the sound quality and musicality going to pontus? hard to know without a 30 day money back trial. im talking to you denafrips.
How do you want it to be quantified? For someone on unemployment benefit it probably is nowhere near 2.5 times as good, for someone with still a job in The City, it probably is. Although he might go straight for the Terminator-Plus. You might want to watch the reviews I made....
Love your videos 👍
Thank you!
when it comes to dac reviews hans is the BEST on youtube... he can only be BESTER if he would do a denafrips dac giveaway!
I'm not the phylantrictropic kind
Dear Hans, do you have an opinion on the money % to be spent on a DAC versus amp/speakers/cables? In my case a PrimaLuna 400i (4K) is coupled to Sonus Faber Olympica II (7K) via Nordost Heimdall bi wiring (1.5K). My source is still inferior (Bluesound Node2i) and will be upgraded later. So the big question is, would the Pontus II be the more appropriate or the Venus II? Does the law of diminishing returns apply to the Venus II in my setup in your opinion or following your enthusiastic review of the Venus II, is the Venus II still going to make a noticeable difference in sound staging? I am not planning to upgrade my main components. I was originally planning an ARES II but that one I hear is quite warm, and as both my am and speakers I warm, I am now intending to move up to a more transparant DAC..... Thank you for letting me know!
I get your different setups by the way and it s a good way of explaining. But for us mere mortals with limited budgets, with all these brands and models available, it's a hard choice. Even more now with the advent of direct from supplier purchasing such as Buchardt, Denafrips and others. So perhaps a ratio for your 3 setups could work such as for your main setup (50K?) could be 40%, 30%, 15%, 15% (speakers, amp, dac, source), for your setup 3 @ 10K (?) perhaps could be 60%, 25%, 15%, 10% and setup two in the middle? Or do these comparisons not work? It's just a thought...
Hans, that's a really nice way of explaining "stereo", comparing with ViewMaster images and stereo photography. I would add that good stereo photography gives a very realistic sense of depth. If we replace real stereo images by a Disney cartoon movie of decades ago, we see a static background in layers that slide through the frame in "moving camera" simulations with the animated characters in the foreground (and modern computer technology could easily render such source material into a form of stereo).
The problem with many sound recordings is that they are much nearer the old Disney than the ViewMaster.
What soundstage is recorded with electronic instruments?
How are these instruments mixed down into a soundstage?
These are just placed in the soundstage with a panorama potentiometer (pan-pot - compare the balance knob on your stereo amplifier) or a computer audio workstation version of that. Or "voices" are placed front to back by making them a bit softer. Generally there is no phase difference, no coloration because of distance, no coloration because of the acoustic reality that simply wasn't there.
The most interesting recording of real soundstage I ever listened to, is one of the track on the recording of Pete Seeger and the Weavers in Carnegie Hall. One of the tracks was recorded from the side of the stage and the musicians are all in the right channel, in a row, one behind the other. I heard this played on a system priced about 2x the modal Dutch home with incredible, incredibly realistic, deep bass and sound-staging. It made me believe this 15mx5m listening room was as big as the 2,804 seat main hall.
My point is, most "electronic" and "studio recorded" music do not contain the information your eloquent explanation references, or it is as artificial as Disney, and that may be fun, but is very limited.
I used to have a lot of critics on albums but this is largely reduces every time my setup 1 was upgraded. There is so much more information in music carriers than I thought possible. It's not always easy o get it out, though.
Hi Hans, dit you ever tried the dangerous music convert-2? For my project studio I'm considering the Denafrips Venus or the convert-2. Other question. is the R-2R method different sounding then a chip based conversion?
No, I didn’t. Sorry
Just when I was ready for the ARES you changed my mind with the PONTUS then, once again now I'm staring at a VENUS. So ny question is that I use a BRYSTON 4CUBED3 amplifier. How will that sound with Pontus or Venus as you used the AYR?
Please watch ruclips.net/video/BzLmC4n2DX4/видео.html
Hans, do know of where I find an ADC + DAC within the same case? I have stereo system setup with a turntable and cassette decks in one area of the house, and would like to stream it across to my PC in another room via an Ethernet cable. Maybe something that is in 1U / 2U enclosure, that has RCA & SPDIF line in and out, with the all important RJ-45 Ethernet port, on the PC a way to interface with VLC would be useful. With DAC's that you cover they would only be useable one way, from the PC to stereo, but not for playback the other way, I am sure others have run into these same issue as well.
Can't help you there. Sorry
Hey Hans , great channel learning a lot.question about denafrips which one would you recommend in my system ( pass labs x30.5 klipsch forte 3 AVM per am streamer Dax ) the Venus or the Pontius ?
It's impossible to give personal advise other than to choose the most expensive DAC. you can afford.
Hi, 'm a subscriber to your channel and considering buying a Pontus.
However, I have read that improvements from the Ares, which I now have,
are accompanied by a loss of warmth. I have Klipsch IV speakers. If
there is a loss of warmth upgrading to the Pontus, depending on the
amount, it might impact my system's SQ adversely. I would very much
appreciate your thoughts on this. Your channel is a must-read for me.
Many thanks.
I don’t recognise this. See ruclips.net/video/a1a8l0-yDok/видео.html
Guy keren
Hello sir,
I am new to digital audio and came a long way with your guidance. I wanted to ask about my options controlling volume when connecting a streamer to a dac to a power amplifier.
Would mini dsp shd would be a solution and will you place it between the streamer and the dac or the dac and the power amp?
All the best ,
Great job with the channel,
Guy
It's a fine solution, especially if you do take the effort to setup Dirac. If you have the SHD, you don't need a DAC for it has a DAC integrated. If you buy the SHD Studio (the one I use), you place it in between the streamer and the DAC.
Hi Hans- great review.
I have a Venus 1st generation and I love it. Do you have any experience comparing the two? I don't know if the upgrade is audible.
I’m afraid not. Sorry.
Thanks for your videos , I wonder if you know what is the use of those little holes in the faceplate of Pontus , Venus or Terminator (not on ariesII or T+) just above the model label ? Looks like a microphone .... ???
Sorry, I don't.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel nobody knows .... pretty interesting, no ?
Hello Mr. Beekhuyzen
I have a Venus II for the last year and half. I love its sound signature as well as performance, but i wonder how the Audio Gd R8 MkII DAC compares to it.
I appreciate a lively sound but with dynamics and audible micro details. Mainly it is used with a Megatron Electrostatic Energiser and a Stax 009.
In your opinion, will I gain liveliness and “musicality” changing to the R8 MkII ?
Thanks,
Tiago
I haven’t reviewed the gear you mention so I can’t say. Sorry
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
What about the R7HE against the Terminator Plus (that I think are the flagships of each Brand) ?
Hello!, what would you prefer? A mqa decoding dac or an equally good r2r dac?
What ever sounds best.
You have me thinking Hans. Currently have the Aries II with a Parasound amp and Magnepan speakers. Do I take the leap to the Pontus or Venus????? Great review.
if you like how the ares ii sounds i say stay put. if denafrips offered a money back trial then i would say try out the higher models and see if they make a significant difference in your system that justifies the added cost. if not, send her back!
go for the Venus!
Excellent review as always! One of my favorite audio channel. It’s rare to hear you say words like “blown away” :) I’m in the market for a DAC and was strongly considering Holo Audio May or Spring2 vs Denafrips. The consensus seems Holo DAC is warmer and smooth. How’d you compare Holo DAC vs Denafrips Venus II?
I know there is a price gap between the two; a fairer comparison would be Terminator vs May or Venus II vs Holo Spring 2. But would to hear your thoughts!
watch ruclips.net/video/iAj_0WZT5Eo/видео.html and compare
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you! I watched it again. Very insightful. Which one would you pick between the Holo and Venus DAC if you had to?
Hans, what spdif cable do you use ?
A Vandenhul Videolink 2. I don't think it is still available.
Hello Hans, is it worth paying for the Terminator II or Plus instead of the Venus. Thank you.
I really can’t say. I found every step up with denafrips products worth wile.
What advantage would there be to connecting my television to the DAC, as opposed to connecting it to my receiver or integrated amp?
What about better sound? Provided you use a quality DAC of course.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you that was what I was wondering.
Hi Hans- Any plans to review the Pontus ll? Thanks
My guess is hat it is identical to the first version but with a faster interface board. I don't think that will change the sound quality much unless you play 758 kHz files.
Does one really need a $14000 amp to fully appreciate the venus 2? I was thinking about getting a $6500 Coda CSiB and pair that with the Venus.
No, but I can't have also have a € 8000 amp and a € 4000 amp. That would again be extra money and space. I do need the Ayre for the top DAC's I review.
Excellent review Hans please tell me the amplifiers name again or a link where I can read about it
It’s the Ayre AX-5 Twenty. A full description is due soon.
Thank you Hans for this great review! How does the Venus compare to your current Brooklyn Bridge?
See the review of the Denafrips Pontus: ruclips.net/video/a1a8l0-yDok/видео.html
Thank you, all clear!
Have you heard the Soekris 1101 Dac?
no
Hello Hans, do you have any experience with Metrum Acoustics (or Sonnet) NOS Dacs and could you say anything about them in comparison with Denafrips?
I have requested a review sample several times but was rejected. Makes you wonder what's there to hide...
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel - Metrum Acoustics went bankrupt last year, but now they are emerging again, also with Sonnet. I own a Metrum Amethyst and I never heard such a revealing sound. But my experience with other DACs is limited... A step up from the Amethyst would be the Sonnet Morpheus, which seems to be very similar to the Denafrips Venus, except for DSD support and those highest sample rates.
I know Cees Ruijtenberg and told me I couldn’t get a review sample.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel - Hmm, his bad. Since you only present products that you think are worthwhile and don't publicise negative reviews, it would have been an opportunity for him. It is apparently unclear what the future of Sonnet will be? Maybe one day...
Have you reviewed the Ayre amp ... I must have missed it ... Cheers,
I have not (yet??)
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel you tease ... Looking forward to it ....
I'm curious, what sort of system do you need to appreciate the DAC this unit offers? I mean will an entry level speaker like the LS50 even recognize this quality dac as an upgrade over a middle range DAC?
I have no hands on experience with the LS50's but in general the quality of this DAC can be heard at any decent system above roughly € 1000, when set up properly. But it might be that - in that case - you can get even better sound when investing that money in another way. For instance buying the cheaper Ares II and spending the rest of the money on a better amp or speakers.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Yes thank you, I think my speakers are holding back the next level in my sound and I'll do just this. Improve the speakers, then the DAC.
@@elvisisalive2716 I also think the dac is the last place for a high dollar investment in your system. Hans has some good advice there for all of us to follow, His advise and integrity is refreshing to hear in today’s world of over selling the public on things we don’t need.
I disagree here. Do invest in a good DAC
Another Hans classic review. I have enjoyed the ares II. Now time to change up. How would you say this compares to the Holo May L2 you tried about a year ago? Those two seem to be in about the same price category. Sorry for the memory test! :-) Cheers! and Thank you.
Please watch ruclips.net/video/BzLmC4n2DX4/видео.html
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I got it. Thank you so much. Appreciate all you do, and always look forward to your reviews. Cheers!
Intriguing,,!
Is it more bang for the buck to buy Pontus than Venus? Do I loose a lot of sound quality buying Pontus instead of Venus?
That’s subjective and depends on matter like your stereo, how wel your hearing was trained , your financial situation and so on. I found every step higher in the Denafrips product family worth the money.
Yet another good review, keep it up!
How does it compare to the Audio-GD R7-HE?
Watch ruclips.net/video/SIe7wH2Vgn8/видео.html and compare.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I’ve seen it. But I’d like your subjective on a direct comparison between the two; which one do you think would provide the most engaging and enjoyable musical experience?
I'm also not sure if I should get the Venus or the Audio-GD R7-HE based on his reviews... both seem good
@@jonathanmatthew5631 Kingwa just announced the 2021 version of R7-HE... solid improvements...!
Man... I was looking at the Pontus and was already plotting to cut my left arm off. Now I don't know how I am going to turn the volume up.
Buy the Harmony Remote and a Google Assistant speaker. Then let someone program IFTTT for you so you can control volume using your voice....
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 🤣...thanks Hans...love your show!! Pls review the terminator... need to complete this story and truly the best value for sound option from denafrips you reviewed.
You a chord Dave owner. How does the Venues stack up against the Qutest and the TT2?
You find my review of the TT2 here: Chord Hugo TT 2 and M Scaler
ruclips.net/video/6SFwxUQKUjg/видео.html
Do you sell some og the denafrips dacs?
I have them on loan, so no
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Okay, ive got an ares 2, very enjoyable dac.
Congrats
Very comprehensive review. Well done. Was the price of this Dac mentioned?
There is a link to Vinshine in the show notes, there you find the prices
Thank you for the info and replying.
here you go sir! www.vinshineaudio.com/shop
You've probably already discovered that my preference is OS with Slow Filter setting. I have the Venus2 12th but I don't think the settings will sound differently on the regular Venus2. Enjoy.
Thanks for sharing
Will using the Node 2i as streamer then the Venus II as a DAC be a good idea or will the node 2i be a bottleneck and limit the performance of Venus II? If so, what would be a good streamer to pair with the Venus II or the Pontus?
Using a digital out-only streamer will be a better choice. You find all my reviews of streamers here:ruclips.net/p/PLMbsmejHnP8HQVuvO_xSXAPmV1CVswsvi
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel in your own personal choice, what digital out only streamer would you pick? (Is it the Sonore OpticalRendu or is there something better now at the same price range?)
Top!
🙏🏻
Is that enthusiasm I heard regardless the poker face? 😄
Botox is a curse😂
I read a review stating that it was not particularly good with fast transients and energetic music. Did you feel that as well ?
No
I've heard some people actually prefer the Terminator to the Terminator Plus (the top dog from Denafrips). From those people they've said the Plus is certainly more resolving but it's also harsher on poorly recorded tracks. So I guess it depends on how good your library is.
It't all fun and games until you realize that the only player on the market, capable to output DSD 512 and 1024 out of I2S, is NOT compatible with this, or any other brand. There are a few streamers that can read local DSD, but none have an I2S output, and we are back at the start. We now have I2S and DSD 512 down to 700$ range, and nothing to feed those devices.
You are incorrect or at least incomplete in your comment. Firstly you can use a computer for playback over USB. Then there are streamers and network bridges that can do DSD512 and PCM 768, like my SOtM sMS-200 Ultra Neo and the cheaper sMS-200 Neo. I agree on the software.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel USB is not really a great way to send the file, compared with I2S. sMS-200 Ultra Neo is essentially a pc, with a huge cable that acts like an antena. 2 devices with the shortest HDMI cable possible is the only acceptable solution. I am building a DSD System from the ground up, and I am not going to invest in a work-around that involves 30m antena for all the noise, USB that crushes the signal, a pc that has bad word-clock and so on. That is why the best I could find so far is a Brooklyn Bridge with stand alone PSU. I would love to have a Denafrip R-2R but in their wisdom their CD player does not have local local storage for DSD.
You better set your prejudices apart and go to a place where you can evaluate the sound quality of for instance the SOtM. You will have a hard time finding the same sound quality for the same money! It's not the interface but the way it is implemented. And I have tried them all on serious audio equipment.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I will do my best to find a way to test more options and look in to devices like SOtM sMS-200 Ultra Neo. Thank you for your time and advise.
My pleasure.
Hmm...wait 6 weeks for a Pontus or 3-5 days for a Venus II at nearly double the price...as long as it doesn’t sound like a chip DAC
Pontus leadtime is shorter now, but we would like to keep a longer buffer time for ourselves as we are committed to fulfil the Pontus pre-order list!