Can a terrific Topping DAC replace my beloved Denafrips Ares II?

Is this Topping DAC good enough to replace my Denafrips Ares II DAC?

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[ForeverAnalog]

Which bad joke did you like best? Ocho, Chips or Measurements? lol

[jp]

Waiting for the Wiim Ultra which integrates a display screen (maybe a touchscreen?) with a streamer, dac and more inputs. Probably competing more with eversolo, fiio, cambridge and bluesound though.

[ValentinoX]

BS! The Ares2 has much larger soundstage, good layering and more holographic

[bifff]

Measurements joke .. Ha! I'm the same way. Sound is way more important to me than measurements. Sure you want things like low THD but if it is too low, you could be missing out on those lower harmonics that can be so pleasing.

[earthoid]

The first listening of my ARES 12th-1 brought tears to my eyes. That's what music's all about!

[elevatorium]

You're comparing a ladder resistor DAC with a solid state that has preamp and streaming capabilities? I'll take the Ares II any day.

[ThePupil]

Had to check out Norah Jones new album straight away. It's funny how much it resebles her #1 album.

[PhillioDoede]

Amazon Basics RCAs on a Schiit Saga +!?!!, you barbarian!! JK, I use the same cables, nice review.

One thing that kinda annoys me with these higher-end really nice feature packed DACs from Topping and SMSL is with their multiple inputs, and volume control they are so very close to making a full on pre-amp with a really good DAC onboard (which would be a super successful I would think) but never quite get there and instead introduce yet another iteration of the same DAC based on a different chipset instead of giving us something truly new which is a bit of a shame.

[mrkitewine]

Ive just subbed on the back of the measurements graph and your views on them.
I’ve never understood the appeal of using measurements as a primary basis for a purchase.
I just use my ears and go for which one I like the sound of. If I can’t hear much difference I go for whichever has the to suit my needs.
I couldn’t care less what the SINAD (or whatever it is) looks like.

[carminedesanto]

GM☕️
I just got the new Denafrips Ares 12-1 …and I think I’d have to go deep into the fundings to get better ..Venus, HaloMay, Terminator?

[redkh]

Sound is so much more important than measurememts

[ces]

I have the Denafrips Enyo, otherwise known as the AresII, With the first updated firmware upgrade. I dont think it has the second/most recent update. In my system chain and Im afraid to even mess with and try putting another dac in my system. I just love the sound I am getting. I have another Ares II with the most recent update just laying around because my ears tell me I have no reason to switch it out. It just sounds and feels right. I watch all the videos on dacs at the same price point as the AresII, but nothing has convinced me to think I need to change it out. It seems the only way Im gonna do any experimenting and switch it out is if I spend the cash and go up the Denafrips Dac chain.

[bbtelevator]

And that’s why I avoid “audiophile” or otherwise cables that have death grip connectors. Those connectors that are meant to have a tight fit around the jack always make me nervous to break the actual plug off the equipment

[thepickyaudiophile]

Sidegrades can be fun, but after doing that a lot, I’m personally at the point where that no longer makes sense. Unless you prefer to be able to switch things up, I’d say sell them both and get a used Pontus. This is where the fun begins with Denafrips IMO. In fact, I don’t think the Ares II even competes with the catalogue of similar priced delta sigma dacs from I have/have tried over the past 15 years, never mind the Philips TDA1541 S2 based one I bought for 200 euros used (I prefer the Pontus though). But that’s just me 😊

[whome]

Love da oucho. I recently got a new bluesound node. The built in dac is better than my Wiim pro (big time), better than the Geshelli Lab J2 ak4493 dac, better than TI dac in my Rotel preamp. Bass is so much more engaging and dynamic, like Rotel, but also has midrange clarity and detail of Geshelli lab J2. I was surprised how well it sounds in comparison to the others, so much so that I want a dual mono AK4499ex dac based on reviews I hear on YouTube. But wow, Bluesound node built in dac sounds the best so far to me in my limited set of Dacs.

[OldGuyHifi]

I love your measurements. They are way more accurate than any other I have seen. Great video. Thx.

[dougg]

That spectrum analyzer is enough for me to buy it. That looks killer. And I’m sure it sounds good enough

[CanuckQuest]

Did you try LDAC for Bluetooth though? That would have been interesting for you to experience.

[writemeanovel]

Is this guy seriously doing an audio review with an $8 coax cable....? I'm out.

[vmm]

Hi threre, what firmware are you running on the Ares II? Thanks