Denafrips Pontus R-2R ladder DAC
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- Опубликовано: 24 сен 2020
- After reviewing the Ares II that offers amazing sound quality for the money, I was very curious what the Pontus would bring, costing slightly over 2 times as much. So let’s dive right in.
Manufacturer:
www.denafrips.com
Distributor worldwide:
www.vinshineaudio.com/shop
Relevant videos:
Review Denafrips Ares II: • Denafrips Ares II R-2R...
About my reference setups: • About my reference set...
What defines the quality of a DAC?: • What defines the quali...
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Great review. Thanks. It’s top of my list.
Hope you enjoy it!
Nice review as always. By the way, I just bought Denafrips Gaia DDC. Impressive unit. Elevated my already good setup (Simaudio Moon DAC and amp) to another level just by converting USB to AES/EBU in my case. Worth review.
Thanks for sharing
This was a refreshing and informative review. Nicely done, and you just got another subscriber.
Welcome aboard!
You do fantastic work. Thank you.
Thank you too!
Thank you for the review. Very informative
My pleasure!
I’m WIP on my system. Qutest has been recommended to me by dealer I bought my Exposure amps from. At present I only have CA Dacmagic 100. A pal bought hi Hugo over and I was so blown away that I haven’t listened to my Hifi as much as I used to.
Fortunately I own the Denafrips Pontus since a few weeks. I've had the Ares II before. It is a real good improvement. I fed the Ares and the Pontus first via USB with an Allo USBridge Signature. As the Pontus has an I2S input, I wanted to give it a try. Therefor I equipped a Raspberry PI with an IAN CANADA FIFOPI Q3 ULTIMATE FIFO Reclocker Module and an IAN CANADA HDMIpi Transmitter I2S / DSD / DoP to HDMI on top to provide the I2S HDMI output. What shall I say, I was blown away by the sonic improvement compared to USB. I can everybody encourage to try this!
Thank you for your reviews Hans. Great job!
Thanks for sharing
Hi Jürgen,
I'd love to try this combination! Are there any instructions for this? I tried searching but all I found so far were your comments!
Paying thousands dollars and still seeing jitter issues on USB receiver that makes need for 3rd party i2s reclockers. If this Pontuc DAC at this price point implemented well, 3rd party devices should sound only close, not better.
@@meaninthemirror I would rather buy one of the SOtM network bridges....
@@andrewbeevers583 Same here. Were you thinking of using a linear power supply e.g. with a pi and kali like the Allo Shanti? I don’t want to spend all that money to see it not work.
Just wanted to let you know your video helped me make the choice to upgrade from Ares II to Pontus. Totally, totally worth the money. Unbelievable how much more is now revealed in the music.
Enjoy the music😁👍🏼
I've just got an ares II, really like it but pondering if it's worth to move to pontus ii, do you think its worth it at over twice the price? I have fyne audio f502sp and arcam a49. Wondering if the pontus would be overkill on the system and not see the benefits. Its tricky to decide because I've got no way to demo it.
@@cantfindanamefree 100% worth the spend. I was hesitant as well - no way to demo and no returning it to a store. Worst case scenario, you get the Pontus and resell it. I just sold my Ares II and recouped most of my original investment. The second owner market for Denafrips products is strong and there is a demand there.
Nice review fellow dutch men:) Mine Denafrips Pontus is being shipped cant wait!
Enjoy the music (even more)
Thank you as always for a thorough review.
👍🏼
Great review as always. Really looking forward to Venus now, it is the price category I am considering.
are you people ever satisfied😀
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel. Hahaha 😂
Wow, what a lovely piece of kit! I don't know why, but I'd love to add an R-2R DAC to my collection. This might be the one!
Go for it
Same here.
great review.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you again Hans. I hope you get the opportunity to review the Dennafips Terminator. I have been on the fence to move forward with this one or the Holo Audio May II you did a review on.
I might...
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel That would be great. I will watch for the notification.
Hey Hans, I watched your video on the Holo Spring DAC a while back, would you say the Pontus or Ares are better? Or perhaps just different approaches? I own a D90 DAC and find it boring and too dry, was thinking of getting a Pontus or Ares II to replace it. Otherwise a tube preamp like Schiit Freya would be the route I go to add some smooth warmth to the sound.
Tube amps should not sound warm.... Watch my most recent video: ruclips.net/video/QX6_f8EQXTk/видео.html
love your channel very much . from hongkong 👍👍👍
Awesome! Thank you!
Your seal of approval helped convince me to try this Dac.
I was not all THAT impressed by the Denafrips Pontus, for the first month. I use an SMSL Sd-9 streamer, with WAV files that I had ripped from my CDs, and streamed from a thumb drive. So I played around with various cable swaps and reclocks. They were all Okay but still something lacking .
Then I tried streaming via Bluetooth some RUclips vids. Wow! Suddenly the thing jumped up to a whole new level. Why? Well the first vid was only at 48khz, so it shouldn't be that much better than a typical WAV file, I thought.
Then a week later I streamed a vid of a recording with was I was intimately familiar. The 2x was lit on the Dac signifying 88khz sampling. Double wow. It was amazing. It was the first time I'd heard this recording rendered in a way that sounded actually as good as vinyl (or better?). After that I realized, any limitation was not in the Dac but due more likely to something else. Maybe the USB implementation in the streamer was not as good as the bluetooth? But I'm a little baffled and I'd like to know why the 88khz streamed files so vastly trounced the standard redbook files.
I have no idea what happened.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks. I'll figure it out, eventually I hope!
Another great review Hans. I've learned so much from your channel. Invaluable info. Could you put the Musical Fidelity MX-DAC? Would love to hear your input.
I have pt it on the list,. No guaranties though.
I believe many people would be very interested in your observations about two R2R DACs that present different sound signatures than the Pontus. These two are giving the Pontus considerable competition in the under 2000 range: the Gustard R26 vs the Ladder Schumann.
I’ll put them on the list. No promises though.
I have the Chord Qutest which I'm considering changing out. Does the Pontus has better SQ than Qutest or just a different type of sound? Thanks!
I have not reviewed the qutest so I can’t say.
Hi, did you try any Audio Note dacs and how do they compare to denafrips dacs? How would you describe sonic signature of denafrips? I have highly modified AN dac 2.1x with choke, tube rectifcation and duelund cu/silver pio output caps. Any reason to try denafrips? I use linn sneaky DS with spdif output as a source
Thanks Hans for another interesting review👍
Will you review IFI PRO IDSD in the future?
I put it on the list. No promises though
Thanks Hans for another highly informative post. What music did you use to evaluate the DAC?
I don't remember. I have a large collection of music I use for review.
Hans! Thank you for the review. Very thorough! I find it interesting that you compare this to the Mytek, which is known to have a hyper-detailed presentation, which I would say is quite the opposite of what Denafrips aims to produce (a more natural, ‘musical’ sound). Good to know it’s largely on par - definitely an excellent device. What streamer would be up to the task of feeding a Pontus with a good input? The Project one you recently reviewed maybe, or a Munich M1T? The I2S seems perfect given there is an excellent clock in the Pontus.
I would go for the SOtM sms200 ultra. The Pontus can handle that quality
Hans, does the lack of MQA causes a reduction in quality when listening to MQA tracks on Tidal? Or is the quality of this DAC that high it's no issue?
Great review and explanation as always...
May I know which streamer did you use with the Pontus? Thanks.
I have used the Auralic Aries G2 in my reference setup 1. Watch About my reference setups: ruclips.net/video/Qw762D_rseI/видео.html
Hans
Would the optical output of the blue sound node 2i into the Pontus have the same limitation as the digital output that you mentioned.?
The node 2i is a great network player for the money but the digital output is not of the same quality as the Denafrips
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Obviously that’s why we want to upgrade to the pontes
Any chance you could review the Denafrips Hestia preamp and Hyperion amp? There have not been many reviews. Their specifications seem inordinately good for the price. Too good to be true? Or the best value out there?
I focus on digital front-ends (sometimes integrated in amps if very interesting techniques or performance is expected). I don't do amps as such.
Denafrips keeps getting rave reviews. This is an amazing achievement. Had the Pontus been made in America and not using a consumer direct business model, it would have been 3 times more expensive, so I'm very grateful that companies like Denafrips exist.
That's a bit over exaggerated, I'm afraid. But they're good.
Love the review 👍
So using this dac is fine for MQA files streamed from Tidal? Do I really need a dac with an MQA decoder built in? Would the matrix Sabre dac be a better choice in that instance?
You have seen my review. I find the Pontus a better DAC than the Mytek Brooklyn (that does have MQA decoding and is powered by a Syntaxx power supply), also when playing from Tidal.
Thank you 😊
Great review sir. Since you reviewed both dac's from denafrips which one you recommend? Ares or Pontus ?
watch my. reviews!!
Thanks Hans. If you can do you think you can get an Atoll Dac 300 in for review?
I put it on the list. No promises though
can you please review (with your very in-depth style) the highly rated DCS Bartók?
I might but not at short notice.
Thank you for the great video. What power cable and balanced cables do you recommend for this DAC?
I don't do cable reviews so it is hard to say for me. Furthermore the choice of equipment and. your personal preference can influence what cable you like the most.
Would putting an iris between my node and Pontus 2 improve quality?
You reviewed Audio-gd R7HE, how does it compare this DAC to R7HE? Thanks
You find the review here: ruclips.net/video/SIe7wH2Vgn8j/видео.htmludge for yourself
Nice review. Is there any buffering on the output of the ladder before it leaves the DAC?
Buffering the analog audio????
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Yes correct.
Were you testing the newest Pontus II version with newest firmware from 10.9.2020 here?
nice channel btw..
thx
The testing was done before 10-9-2020
Does this R2R DAC - with less bit depth than many modern chip DACs - work OK with a digital volume control ?
It has 24 bit depth. And it has no volume control.
Ah 24bits thanks for that - but do you think it would work well if we control the volume in the source PC or similar or should we use a pre-amp for volume control for best sound ? Interested in your thoughts on that - many thanks
Hi Hans. I notice that this DAC is now being sold as the "Pontus II", but I can't be sure if this really is a new version or not. In the images on the Denafrips website, the power supply looks different to the one in your video, with many more capacitors, but it still just says "Pontus" on the front fascia. Do you know if and when Denafrips upgraded the Pontus and if so, what improvements have been made?
The Pontus II is the same as the Pontus with the exception of the input board that now accepts higher sampling rates (and high have some other improvements). For as far as I understand it, it is now the same board as in the Venus II.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks Hans. FYI I just got a reply from Alvin at Vinshine Audio, who confirmed the MkII upgrades are:
1. Beefed up power supply
2. Improved caps & tuning
3. Upgraded DSP board
I also noticed that in a recent review the newer models now seem to say "Pontus II" on the front.
Please keep the great videos coming!
Wow! Look at that! Full closed-caption. We appreciate it! Since you are reviewing Denafrips products, could you confirm if the Venus II does in fact use Femto clocks? Thank you!
I have not reviewed the Venus II so I can’t say
Venus 2 uses TCXO clock
In case you do in the future. That’s very interesting, because if you scroll all the way down to the “Why Denafrips” section of the Vinshineaudio shop page, you will see “FEMTO clocks available in Venus & Terminator.”
Perhaps that was the case in the original Venus.
@@cd-rom. Yes Terminator also runs TCXO it appears the site is not up to date..
Hi Hans, my concern is build quality, more specifically those buttons that need to be pressed for many years and without a remote to reduce pressing them. I had a bad experience with those types of buttons wearing down years later and it's a real pain when u constantly press a button and it no longers works each time. So are u able to tell the difference in the buttons from a quality perspective? Thanks.
The whole unit is built to very high standards.
that kind of button is very durable, 20 years still fine
Very solidly made products.
Good review, wonder if they have a US distributor.
They don't use local distributors, Vinshine Audio does world-wide sales directly.
You are the only reviewer to mention sibilance I have ever heard. I thought it was just my hearing. I really did. I have been considering the Pontus to go with my McIntosh Amp (mc-58) and Yamaha NS1000 Speakers. You mentioned in your review the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge sounds better.
I checked their site and they have refurbished ones for a reasonable price. -- 1k off ! BUT Gen 1 and displays burn out I think
The savings on a preamp/streamer make it a better deal for me.
Do you have gen1 or 2?
I had gen1, I now have a HoloAudio Cyan 2
My Ares II will be here in a few days... I'm already to pull the trigger on the Pontus II... Ugh!
Enjoy the music!
I own a lumin u1 mini transport and a CXA81 amp. Which DAC to buy pontus or ares II. Thanks
I would go for it the Pontus.
Hello
I was hoping you could help. I want to buy a Samsung tablet to store my music files. The tablet will only be used with my home stereo system to stream music of my own files.
Can I run this android tablet through a dac?
How would I hook it up?
Would the tablet have to have a digital out? Is this a good question?
I use my phone to play music on my home system
My home system is a Adcom 555ll amp
GTP400 preamp
Heresy ll speakers.
Its 30 years old but plays like I bought it yesterday.
So instead of it playing off my phone ...I thought of a android tablet.
Is this possible to run tablet through a dac?
Sorry, I know nothing about Android tablets.
Thank you so much for this thorough and elegant review. So I know it's highly subjective but at the moment I have a Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC->Schiit Freya+ preamp->Focal Solo 6 be active monitor speakers. I'm definitely leaning towards the laid back/musical side of things,and I want a bigger soundstage than what my Bifrost 2 offers. I have concluded that Schiit Gungnir is not a major update for the things I'm looking for and since you have reviewed both units (Ares II & Pontus) would you recommend me pay the extra cash for Pontus or get the Ares II? Thanks in advance for any help kind Sir :)
You're welcome
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you sir. So if on a "tight" budget would you advise me to compliment my Bifrost 2 with Ares II or save money and go for Pontus II? I know it really comes down to my needs and financial decisions but I'd really love your take on this if you'd like :)
should've gotten a burson soloist 3x bro. That brings dynamics and soundstage to a new level with my shapes. Btw hows the nature of the sound of the focal solo 6 bes? I'm thinking of getting a pair.
Would Pontus be a clear upgrade from a chord mojo?
Did you watch my reviews?
Great review as always. Do you see adding the Aries or the Pontus as a big upgrade to the built-in DAC in the Bluesound Node 2i?
Absolutely but the digital output of the Node 2 limits the sound quality. So there will be a clear improvement but not up to the level the Arkes II is capable of. Let alone the Pontus.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel This is an interesting comment. The Node 2i has a coaxial output that will transmit up to 24/192kHz. I take it that level of resolution is not a limiting factor, but coax being isynchronous? However in its favour is presumably that the Node 2i is a low noise dedicated audio device, unlike, say, the asynchronous USB output from a laptop.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thanks Hans. So something like the Innous I assume will be a better bet? I really like the Bluesound software interface.
You could go for an NAD network player. NAD uses Bluesound for streaming.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you for the review. Question: How does the digital output of the Node 2i limit the sound quality of an external DAC like the Ares II or the Pontus?
Great review! Will you be reviewing the denafrips terminator as well? Their top of the line model
Don’t know yet.
Does the Pontus support MQA?
No, but to me it sounds better than the Mytek Brooklyn that has MQA when using MQA encoded music.
Great review. Can you guys look at the Anthem STR amp & preamp? I believe it’s a Canadian company. I would like to hear your thoughts on this product.
I only do digital front ends
How would you say it stands against Holo Spring 2?
I have to reviewed the Spring 2 so I can't say.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for your reply. But I think you reviewed May which is like a 2x device comparing to Pontus
Fair. How would say comparing to Chord Hugo 2? They are roughly in the same price. I mean sonically
@@micatske People prefer the ares2 over the hugo2 and even the rme adi2 over the hugo.
Pontus vs Brooklyn Bridge is there a clear winner or they close. They’re different, but overall are they close or is there a clear winner?
The winner is the one that sounds best to you.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel but you can’t hear either before you buy
Good day Hans. Thank you for an amazing channel.
One area where I am 😂 in the dark is the subject of streamers. Is the quality/price of the streamer important? I have a denafrips ares 2 and feed it with a $100 wiim mini streamer. Will i improve the sound by employing a more expensive streamer? Or inversely what streamer is a good match with the denafrips ares? Can get a mares mp5 at a reasonable price
Hans I would love to hear you review the Exposure 2510 amplifier
My system consist of the Exposure 2510 Denafrips Ares B&W 705 and the Wiim mini streamer.
I am a pensioner and have to make careful decisions before buying any equipment
As an after thought I found the setup of the streamer quite easy and seamless and its menu presentation quite ease to use
Hans I enjoy your channel very much and dont always understand some of the technicalities especially in the digital domain but hey keep it up it is very stimulating and objective.
Streamers/network bridges do have a clear impact on the sound quality. The Wiim is great for the money but your DAC deserves more. Leek at Mijn reviews here: ruclips.net/video/TV-FvRF9KGA/видео.html
why you don''t measure it? how good it is in measurement compare with Chord Qutest and Ares 2? Hope you will do it man
I have measured it as I measure each and every piece of equipment I review. But measurements can only show how poor a design is, not how well a product sounds. The Pontus showed no design flaws in measurements.
Is this the Pontus I or II, please?
It’s just Pontus. After that came the Pontus II
So is it worth more than twice the price of the Ares II?!
That depends on how you value money
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Haha I was after your opinion based on your values, which generally seem pretty reasonable and realistic to me. You seem to have taste for the finer things combined with an element of good Dutch thriftiness.
What I find I have said in the video. It outperforms my Mytek/Syntaxx combo, costing considerably more.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Yes I did see that, thanks
I wonder if ac/dc sounds good on it?
Sure, why not?
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel sorry, I actualy wasn't going to send that, but...
I git my little fiio system, sounds good on jbl headphones, but, these things you reviews... (would love to find out) are probably something else!... I am learning! :)
They are!!!
I would like to purchase the Terminator DAC but that extra $2000 makes me shudder over the Venus II. Digital to analog is the future so I want a great DAC. Can I connect it to my network directly or required to use a USB from my NUC. I’d like to keep them separate.
The DAC will connect to my McIntosh then on to my Magnepan 3.7i’s. I’m a little flustered about choices on the DAC inputs. Any suggestions?
Please watch the beginning of the video. There I describe how to connect the Pontus to your stereo. This goes for the other Denafrips DAC's too.