Denafrips Pontus II vs Venus II

@ozzy62 I described my setup in detail in this discussion already, so you can check that out if you want. The gist is that I’m using a dedicated network endpoint to stream via UPnP from a smartphone as a dedicated device for my streaming app(s). So, not a PC. I’ve used both USB and AES/EBU to connect to my reclocker, and in both cases it is a non-trivial difference and actually a profound upgrade over not using the reclocker. Reclocked with I2S to DAC sounds like a much higher tier DAC is in play. I’ve repeated this test many times over the last 9 months or so, and I always get a definite result. Alvin is exceptionally honest and modest about gear configurations and the products he sells, but in my case, even though I’m NOT using a PC and USB, he’s still greatly underselling it. Hope that helps!

@stevebohnii For my Bricasti M5, I’m using a pretty expensive AES/EBU cable and it clearly outperforms the USB connection from the same streamer to the same reclocker. The USB cable I have isn’t in the same price range, but I don’t plan to go back to USB even with a different cable because I don't think even a top tier USB cable could best my current config.

The review that you linked  has an interesting comment about how the nature of the sound from the Venus is different than that from the Pontus. The review describes the sound from the Venus as being more analytical while the sound from the Pontus is fuller. 

I'm thrilled with the sound that I'm getting from the Pontus. I recently listened to a dcs Bartok and my impressions are that I actually like the sound of the Pontus better for the acoustic music that I typically listen to. It has an organic feeling that I'm concerned that I might lose from going to the Venus. Of course, this is just speculation on my part,  but my main thought is that the Pontus is really an overachiever if you listen to a lot of acoustic instruments, voices, jazz and small ensemble classical music even rock. The one type of music that is less of a strength is perhaps orchestral music and opera since the perspective that Pontus provides of music seems more intimate than large-scale.

Stevebohni

"When connecting the I2S from the DDC to either the pontus or the venus, are most of you using a USB or coaxial cable from your computer or streamer? Is one better than the other??"

I plan on connecting the Iris DDC to my Pontus II via an HDMI I2S cable. Alvin at Vinshine Audio suggested that would give the best connection

i have spent much time with the pontus (and pontus ii) -- and also with the ares ii, as well as venus and terminator dacs

in their hierarchy the pontus is relatively unique in that it is voiced with the warmest, fullest midrange and midbass, while preserving the major denafrips strength of vast and specific imaging with a relatively smooth sound

i felt, moving up to the venus and the term, that the treble becomes perceived as being more prominent (if less grainy) in the overall balance of the music, and this is somewhat a result of the upper model dacs also having a slightly leaner midbass ’foundation’, so to speak

despite the slight but clearly noticeable grain of the pontus treble, i enjoyed it quite alot, and as a result, i kept it the longest among the dena dacs, and tried it in various forms/inputs (with a gaia later using i2s, for instance) as i felt its overall balance is the most pleasant in the line

alas i have sold all my dena dacs, moved onto what i think is stuff that sounds better overall, and has features and form factors more to my liking