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00:00 About Ares 15th
03:28 Sound
09:41 vs Chord Mojo 2
11:41 vs SMSL SU-10
12:20 vs Gustard R26
15:55 Conclusion

Test setup
Streamers:
DACs:
Preamps:
Amps:
Speakers:

Head-Fi test setup:

#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo

[iiWiReviews]

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[martink.]

I payed for the Ares 12th, but complained about its long delivery time in Europe. Then I offered to pay the price difference for the 15th, as it seemed that a first shipment of them was on the way. Instead I received a free upgrade to the 15th.

[andreacountry]

The problem is that the Ares 2 now has 3 interchangeable firmware updates which have significantly changed the sound from the original one. The latest update (1.8) has certainly brightened the sound and made everything faster and more detailed. So my question is... are we sure that those components improve the sound or are they just marketing that with a new firmware they change the sound as they want

[TorToroPorco]

You’ve gotten so good at describing the sonic qualities of the equipment you review, definitely one of the best at reviewers at doing that.

[yellow_noise]

Srbojlub, as always awesome review, please compare with new Cyan II from Holo Audio and, if you can find, Soekris DAM 2541 DAC -it is more DIY stuff, but was also released as stanadlone device...

[lisar]

I have been trying to decide on an r2r for the longest time...still haven't pulled the trigger. When I saw the 15th for sale I wondered what the point was. The shop that carries them has 3 (or is it 4?) versions of the Ares now, each at increasing price and it just starts to look questionable to me :D So thank you for diving in and explaining the point of the 15th!

Would love to see you review the Holo Cyan 2 which is pure NOS. Rumor has it, it's pretty great, and quite affordable, which sounds like it might be just up my alley. You are so good at comparing and contrasting the differences between dacs, especially, I'd especially love to hear your thoughts on it.

[jeffdavison]

I wonder how this compares to the Holo Audio Cyan2.... is US dollars, they are only one dollar different in cost. So this would be a perfect apples for apples, oranges for oranges comparison.

[giorgioisgaming]

I have received my ARES 15th one week ago and can confirm your findings
I am very happy with its performance and for me this is my endgame DAC
There may be some better sounding DACs on the market, but you will have to spend considerably more money for them in order to hear a real sonic improvement

[EduardodeFuentesCeballos]

Hi! Great review (as always), I appreciate that you keep comparing many of these new DACs with the SU-10 which I have and love ❤️, I hope you can sometime soon review and compare the Gustard X30 (although it’s more than 3x the price of the SU-10) 😂. Keep it up and thanks for the hard work.

[honeydew]

If you can, could you get your hands on a BorderPatrol SE-i DAC for review? Im looking for a comparison to that tube DAC you built for yourself.

[Hiprascal]

Ooh, looks like a winner. I have the Ares II and just ordered a Cyan 2 a week ago. We shall see, uh, hear !
Ares 15 vs Cyan 2. For me, this is where it's at. High quality natural sound bang for your buck.
Great review. Your analysis of sound quality is very good. Well presented and produced video.

[mustafiz]

Thank you for your review. I am very much interested to know your openion between Ares 15 vs Laiv Harmony DAC. Will be grateful if you kindly make a sound quality comparison between them. Thanks in advance.

[johncallaghan]

You should try the Gustard R26 with an inexpensive external 10MHz clock (the approx £70 Bg7tbl oscillator). Ignore its GPS function and just use the 10MHz OCXO (Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator) output. It connects to the R26 using a BNC male to BNC male pigtail coax RG316 Cable which costs £3.75 for the 30cm version at Ebay.

I just bought one and it makes a noticeable difference for me. Love to hear what you might have to say about its effect on the R26! 🙂

[Steve-gbx]

After Ares 2 there was Ares 12 and Ares 12-1. How about comparison with them?

[lanx]

Thank you for the review. How does 15th stack up with 12th-1?

[juliancrun]

I've seen the HoloAudio – Cyan 2 around, it was my second choice after the Laiv Harmony. Let's see how the review goes.

[officialMainspring]

fantastic review. I was waiting on this. it's on my short list as I'm looking for an R2R dac but form factor is important and this fits. I hope you do a review on the Enyo 15th. I'm wondering what the difference is between the two. It looks like the Enyo 15th is a rebadged Ares 12-1 but would like to know for sure...

[damayor]

Outstanding as always Srbojlub. My budget only allowed to get the Enyo 15th and I love it. It's my first R2R DAC and I really think it sounds much fuller and has more detail than the Topping it replaced. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[piotrszczygie]

Between Ares II and Ares 15 Denafrips actually introduced two upgrades - Ares 12 and Ares 12-1. For example the chassis was improved before 15th. version. Thus as an owner of Ares 12-1 I’m wandering if the sound improvement was made by Ares 15 or partially by Ares 15 and 12.

[eng-lokchua]

Thank you for the good review . It was very detailed and truthful especially in the comparison part.