How the Denafrips Pontus II DAC Makes Digital Feel SO Analog!
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- In this review of the Denafrips Pontus II R2R DAC, I compare it to the Ares II and also award it the new Audio Arkitekts Gold Standard Award. Watch the video and find out how it performed!
// Products
Denafrips Pontus II: bit.ly/3Msu1oi
Cambridge Audio EVO 150: shop-links.co/cgTxdlzMdxH
Denafrips Ares II: amzn.to/3JDtGO7
Audioquest Cinnamon Coax Cable: amzn.to/3JERpO1
Dali Oberon 3 Bookshelf Speakers: shop-links.co/chgxwt1mfjP
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0:00 Intro
2:29 Features
5:41 Specs | Tech | Price
9:59 Sound Quality
13:26 Final Thought (Award)
This description may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if the affiliate links are utilized to make a purchase.
#denafrips #pontusii #dac 
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Pontus II is a sweetspot in Denafrips lineup.
Just upgraded to Venus II, not a big jump.
I have a Pontus 2 and am amazed at the difference between it and the internal chip-based DACs in my gear. The separation and imaging are vastly improved with the Pontus 2. I used to think DACs we're all the same, but now I know better. If you are thinking about upgrades on your system, you owe it to yourself to consider a great DAC like this. Listen to it and let your ears decide.
I got mine it’s absolutely amazing dac actually I got Gaia ddc as well I just can say wooow insane quality
Agreed it is fantastic
Thanks for the comparison as I’ve had the Ares ll for about 6 months. I am contemplating the Pontus and your opinion provided me some ammo!
Love the new video format!!!
Thanks, I am working hard to make things better!
Yep, this is the dac I’ve been considering, I’m definitely lookin for a warm sound. And analog is still my favorite format, so I’m pretty focused on upgrading my analog sources. But I’ll get around to the digital upgrades eventually.
Thanks for your review. I was thinking to add Pontus II or Ares II to my stereo: Rotel RA 1592 (produce 384k PCM) and Wharfedale 4.4 Is there a huge difference?
Love this video! I have a Mcintosh MA6600 paired with Kef Reference Model Two speakers and have been using the Cambridge 851N as a streamer/DAC. Do you think adding the Pontus 2 to the mix would be a significant improvement in sound over the Cambridge. I'm also considering the Holo Spring 3 Dac - another R2R option.
I've had the Pontus II connected to a Lumin U1 streamer for about a year. These are the higher quality components of my system. The Lumin outputs into a Denon integrated amp. (Purists will ask why I didn't use a pre amp, but you need to get past that). Accurate? you bet, perhaps a little too accurate for some - not for me. I chose the Pontus II because of it's digital accuracy + analog-like softness.
Plus, Alvin is a pleasure to work with (designer/owner of Denafrips).
Actually, Alvin Chee is owner of Vinshine Audio, the world wide distributor of Denafrips products.
I'm interested to see you review a Chord DAC
Check out the i2S input which can be used to connect a SACD player to an external dac...HDMI to convertor to i2S input. eg: Oppo bdp-105... play sacd hdmi out to box ( on Ebay $50 ) to Pontus II i2S input.
I also do this and love the feature.
I have an Oppo 105, I’m curious how much different the Pontus sounds than the 105?
Definitely the way to get the best possible signal into your Denafrips. The results are amazing!
Serious question: I have an entry level DAC from Schiit (Modi 3+). How much better would a DAC like the Pontus or Ares sound compared to the Schiit? I’ve been thinking about investing in a Denafrips DAC for a while but not sure if the gain would only be marginal.
Very good question. The improvement with DAC's are sometimes VERY marginal or can be quite polarizing. For example, when I upgraded from the Topping E30, which I feel is an incredible DAC with amazing value at only $130 to the Ares II, I did notice quite the difference since the architecture inside the Ares II is different than the Topping and gave the music a bit of warmth and smoothness to it. However from the Ares II to the Pontus II the Ares can keep up and you may not notice a huge improvement aside from small characteristics. I would go with the Ares II which will be an improvement to the Schitt.
@@mykandrew Thanks. I think that’s what I’ll end up doing. My end game DAC is the Terminator, but I’ll save that fun for later. I’ll need an amp and speaker setup worthy of that DAC.
The Pontus 2 punches way above its price point but you need good associated spkrs and amp to get the best out of it. I’m using Kef LS50 metas , Willsenton R800i class A amp , Rel T5X and Iris DDC , silver spkr cables , Mogami XLRs , IsoAcoustics , Kef S2 stands , Jays Audio I2S connects - in a smallish room. I’m pretty happy with the set up.
The Ares ii is almost 1/2 the price of the Pontus ii. In terms of performance difference, is the Pontus ii 20% better, 50% better? You mentioned the clarity and detail are noticeably better vs the Ares II. Is the soundstage better? I am asking as I have the Ares II and am curious about how much better it can be and at what costs.
This. Having added a Denafrips Iris to my Ares II (which did add appreciable improvements in clarity and imaging) along with quality cabling, I really do still wonder if the combined investment has lessened the gap to the Pontus II to a near-as-makes-no-difference amount. Granted this is very difficult to quantify, but I guess the real conclusion you can impress is: are you ditching the Ares II for the Pontus II?
Derek, I upgraded from the Ares II to the Pontus II. The Pontus is definitely an improvement, but it's not a dramatic, night & day difference. I would say the Pontus is about 30% better -- 40% at most. So you have to decide if it's worth it. I still have my Ares II, and when I switch back to it I don't feel like I'm losing a lot. The Ares II is a great DAC and there's no need to upgrade unless you want to wring out just a little bit more of that Denafrips goodness. When you're budget allows, yes, move up to the Pontus, but in the meantime, enjoy the Ares.
@@wescurtis1961 Thanks for the reply. Very helpful. I think your answer mirrors what others have said (i.e. cheapaudioman)
Honestly, I want a component to be the standard size like all my other components. Maybe I'm just weird like that.
I'm the same way, I do enjoy symmetry with both size and color. I hate when something is silver or gold and the rest is black lol
@@mykandrew Too funny, and true! I loved the silver brushed aluminum of the Denafrips gear... But, my OPPO BDP-83 is black. My Iris DDC and Ares II and Node are black... Hmmm... I ordered the Hades and Thallo Denafrips amps in... Wait for it.... BLACK! And quite honestly, they are damn sexy! The fit and especially the finish that Denafrips has pulled off here, especially at this price point is amazing. I LOVE the black, especially when all of my gear is located directly under the TV, you do not see it, you simply hear it, and it sounds AMAZING!
Terrific video. For the record. I love all types of DACS, weather it is R2R ladder Or delta sigma.
My favourite is what Chord does with their FPGA tech with the Linix 7 chip. The Qutest from chord is the best DAC I’ve ever owned.
I have heard so many good things about the Qutest. My next DAC to review is the Orchid by MHDT who still uses tubes and the classic TDA 1541A DAC chip that I love so much.
@@mykandrew oh that will be cool. I’ll definitely stay tuned for that and thank you for all that you do. :)
@@Nephilim-81 I try my best to do what I can for our community. It's people like you that inspire to keep on making videos.
@@mykandrew that is nice of you to say and it is people like you that help make this hobby of our so damn interesting! I am love with higher end audio equipment, however the music itself is just as important. I don’t listen to just anything even if it recorded really well. ;)
I believe that in the end it is all about personal preferences: a year ago I have sold my Qutest and found the Pontus II an obvious upgrade, so much more engaging and fun, with a life like and natural presentation that I really prefer :)
Interesting review, perhaps a comparison with the Chord Qutest.
fwiw I had a Chord Qutest in my (headphone based) system for well over a year and i was always extremely happy with it. I was then told by a dealer that the Ares II was better than the Qutest - something which i didn't believe given the price - but he was so sure that he let me have the Ares II on trial and told me i'd sell the (more expensive) Qutest to buy the Ares II once my trial period had finished. He was correct ! The Ares II, once fully 'burnt in' ( a week of continuous play) was better than the Qutest in every single aspect imo. Definitely more detailed, far better tonally, and also a deeper soundstage. 6 months later and i've now upgraded to a Pontus II which is a step better than the Ares II in everything it does, so should be considered quite a bit ahead of a Qutest (note, i still own a Mojo 2, so i'm not anti Chord by any means!). Final point - the Ares II has a tonal quality that is / was preferable to my 50 yr old ears than even the Pontus II. I could play absolutely anything through it and it wouldn't feel harsh or bright. The Pontus II is perhaps 95% like the Ares II tonally, but because of the extra definition/clarity etc once in a while i'd find the odd track where the electric guitar was just starting to get a tiny bit 'screechy' - think Neil Youngs 'Like A Hurricane'. But it is very rare, and because the Pontus was better than the Ares II at everything else, i was more than happy with my upgrade.
@@RICHARDPOOLE17that was nearly as useful as the main review ! Thank you. Do you prefer the Denafrips over your Mojo2 . The reason I ask is I’ve borrowed a Mojo and loved it but looking more towards the Denafrips (still debating Aries or Pontus)
Kind regards
@@stephentree3466blimey, that was a long time ago I wrote that and I'm now using the Pontus in a speaker system, rather than headphones. All I can say is that I haven't changed the Pontus firmware despite that option being available for free, and I haven't changed anything else in my system the past 2 years, I'm so happy with how my set up sounds. So that's a massive thumbs up to the Pontus, I love it and would always recommend it to anyone who prefers a warmer type of sound (I think it's plenty detailed enough as well, enough for me anyway)
How does it compare (with the primare cd transport) vs a cd player like lyndorf ?
They are very different sound signatures. I would say the Lyngdorf sounds more open and very clear. The Pontus II is warmer, a bit more analog sounding.
@@mykandrew I'm curious about streaming-qobuz trought the Pontus...Will a cd still win hands down if the dac is so good? 😃
@@xaviborrell9078 I'll throw down on this, using a Node streamer, the new one, USB to the Denafrips Iris DDC out to the Ares II, to the Denafrips Hades pre to the Thallo amp out to a pair of KLH Model 5 speakers, with two dialed in SVS SB3000 subs using Qobuz vs my OPPO BDP-83, used as a transport, out to the GearFab Digital Breakout Box via HDMI, to coax to the Ares II... I cannot hear any difference at all, and I have tried this on several CDs and SACDs. I would imagine the Pontus II, which I plan to purchase soon, will be the same. At least on my system. Hope this helps.
All cables, if it matters, are Audioquest Cinnamon, XLR cable is Mogami with Nuetrick connectors, speaker wire is 10 foot, 14 AWG Mogami from Worlds Best Cables using their soldered on banana plugs (The only cable/wire I own that I actually heard an audible difference with in my system). SVS Soundpath cable to the two SVS SB3000 subs, which are located in differing locations away from the speakers, and as I said, dialed in.
@@michaelwright1602 Well you -and many people- said cd's and sacd's sound much better than qobuz. You said that in the lyndorf review I thing...
@@michaelwright1602 The oppo is not a good cd transport.
Probably need to review FPGA dacs, Chord electronics, Qutest to DAVE or PS Audio. Don't really want my digital to sound like a turntable, I have owned Linn LP12.
I've heard the Denafrips ARES II has some lag/latency issues when watching tv/movies and when gaming. Does the Pontus II have the same lag/lantecy issues for someone coming out of the TV with the optical for gaming and TV viewing?
I have the Ares II hooked directly to my 2017 Sony Bravia via toslink, the only lip synch issues I have had is when streaming via AirPlay. When the signal is coming from my TV, Roku or SuperBox S3 Pro, I have no issues.
@@michaelwright1602 Appreciate the response. Thank You. I'm trying to get as much input on the lag/latency issues before taking the plunge. Hopefully coming straight from the TV via optical or iMac with USB won't cause any issues
@@johnm3544 Thanks for the input
These DACS are cool BUT there is severe diminishing returns here..... my local hifi shop did a DAC test for me, compared a Denafrips Aires 2, Schiit Modi 3+ and the internal DAC from my Arcam SA10, ESS9016K2M through some LS50 speakers.
Any detected differences were VERY, VERY minor between all 3, no better or worse, just ever so slightly different, some people just need something to spend money on.
I don't quite agree with that, at least my ears don't. I heard an immediate difference when I purchased the Ares II vs my Schiit Gungnir, Cambridge CXN V2 and the DAC in my Denon X4400H. And I was not the only one that heard the difference. Not saying you did not hear what you heard, but the Ares II was a true game changer to my chip DAC fatigued and bleeding ears. It was so profound, that I bought the Denafrips Iris DDC and their Hades and Thallo amps to go along with my KLH Model 5's. Pontus II is coming soon. ;-)
@@michaelwright1602 Taking size into account, for a medium to smaller room, my limit is about $2k,. I have a system in each room, for instance my bedroom system, Arcam SA10, Wharfedale Denton 80, a touch under $1500 and that's good enough for me....
Too many people overspend.
@@michaelwright1602 You may want to look at the Mission 770, made in the UK for $4k,. Model 5 are $2500 for Chinese speakers.
GREAT!!! Another F****N CONNECTOR!!!!
I2S isnt worth it, measures the same or worse than coax.
@@mykandrew Humans....
@@ranbymonkeys2384 pretty much
@@mykandrew Try using a good DDC with I2S before the DAC. I2S is only worth if you have a very good DDC with better clock than the dac itself.
TOO MUCH MONIES :( the Ares II would be the most Im willing to spend.
...somebody replied to my comment, but I can't see it :(
Everybody has a budget to live by.
I had stop at Venus II.
I would love a Terminator Plus.