DENAFRIPS DAC ---- Owner Impressions, Feedback, General Discussion, Questions and more....

05-21-2018 5:01am@viablex1   I'm copying your post from a thread you initiated:

I ordered an ares and received shipment about a week to ten days ago. Initially it would not turn on. Then I saw lights and eventually sound. Not sure what was going on but it was a prelude to what happened next. I liked the sound very musical but when using the first coax input I kept getting this weird volume problem. when a track would start it would cut almost completely off then go back to the original volume. So I needed to send it back which I am doing but it is expensive because there is no USA support at all. I almost bought the Pontus but glad I didn't since it would have cost even more to ship it back.

I am not saying never buy one or bashing denafrips just know if something goes wrong shipping back is exorbitant

Per Denafrips Warranty policy (referenced below) there should be no cost for you to ship back for warranty work within the first 30 days.

"36 Months Warranty, Peace of MindComprehensive Warranty Coverage:

All DENAFRIPS products are covered under this policy. Warranty covers non-man-made defects. Customer shall bear the import duties and taxes whenever applicable.

30 Days: DENAFRIPS to bear both way shipping fee.31-365 Days: Customer to bear one way shipping fee. DENAFRIPS to repair and cover return shipping fee.
366-1095 Days: Customer to bear both way shipping fee. DENAFRIPS to repair at free labor and parts at no cost.
1096 Days Onwards: Customer to bear both way shipping cost. DENAFRIPS to provide repair and/or maintenance services at cost."

copy and past all you want I have my own valid experience and it could have gone smoother

I just replaced my Terminator (with the new DSP board) with the Terminator Plus.  In spite of how good the Terminator is, the Plus just brings more in terms of quietness and detail.  Particularly the bass notes are better delineated.
I also added the Denafrips Iris, once the I2S was properly set up it brings more detail and air in the high end- kind of holographic with instruments almost directly left and right of my listening position.
Once I enabled the clock out from the TP to the Iris- holy cow.  So musical.  Leading edges of bass notes jump out and then reverb and decay with such detail.
Adding the Iris transformed the USB output from my Innuos Statement which I did not think was possible as I thought it was so good previously.  I am a bit dumbfounded at how much I was missing.

@anzaanimalclinic  Congratulations on moving to the Terminator Plus and Iris combination and the stellar results you have achieved!!!

Over the past few months, we published dozens of owners' feedback here: https://www.denafrips.com/news

It has been a challenging year for everybody. However, we are flattered by your strong support. Thank you! We are grateful.

Take care and stay safe!

Many thanks.

Alvin Chee
http://www.vinshineaudio.com/

I cant claim golden ears or any definitive last word on DACS but I purchased an Ares and liked it. I also auditioned a MSL400  Also good but with a remote, a viewing screen and more filter option. I sold the Ares to a guy who went nuts for it and returned the MSL 400. These were both good units but I wound up with a Schiit Gugnier Multibit. Nice DAC and I'm happy. I use an Audiolab CDT 6000 transport and after going through a bunch of COAX cables, I like the Kimber 30 for a reasonable $95. It is easier to listen to than my silver Kimber D60 that retails for $450. So all in My digital front end is right at $2k. About the max what I want to spend. I've been doing the audiophile thing for over 40 years and I have to put the brakes on equipment creep. Pretty soon the cost of my system would double and I would not sure how I got there or if it is really any better than what I had before.