Denarips and Vinshine split

Just wanted to add another shout out for Alvin. I've been into high end audio for close to 50 years and have been fortunate to connect with a number of excellent dealers over that time.  They all helped to point me in the direction that I had wanted to go and were all great communicators.  Alvin ranks right up there.  I've purchased a number of components from him starting around 5 years ago - Kinki Studios Amp, 2 Denafrips DACs, Jay Audio CD transport, Volumio Rivo streamer with linear power supply, upgrade boards, etc.  He has always provided top notch customer support and responded to any query within hours.  Someone that I came to trust very quickly.  And passionate about music as well! 

I have been investigating SS DAC's for quite a period of time and until yesterday had not discovered one used on systems that I am familiar with that has caught my attention like the way a Denafrip Venus II had yesterday at a Bake Off between DAC's and CDP's.

SS DAC's and Valve CDP's were used as comparisons.

I am have been familiarised over time with all models in use, and these were attached to a New Design 3 Watt Output Tetrode Pre Amp - Tetrode -Pentode Power Amp, with a Speaker unfamiliar to me, with reasonable High Efficiency.

The Venus II has had FW Updates.

In the past the Venus with out a FW update was OK but a big ?mark being present over how long it could be lived with used for extended length replays beyond comparison periods of time allocated.

Yesterday in this system and a follow up Amp in use, a PP 300b, the Venus II proved itself to be a very attractive SS DAC, especially one I would consider experiencing for much longer periods of time in the home system.

The recent change in Business Structure, if leaving models produced to the previous standards will be producing a Venus II model that is well Worthy of being considered for investigation.   

@pindac Thanks for sharing. I wish I could hear both the Laiv Harmony and Denafrips Venus. I noticed Denafrips reduced their warranty period from 3 years to 1 - I hope this does not mean the quality of the new units will be lower.

@classic8 I looked at used prices for the Venus II and have seen a item in Black Finish sold for approx' $2K earlier this year.

The LAIV Harmony has also been seen sold used for similar monies.

If new models is not critical for the items to go on a shortlist, this could be an attractive offset to a shortened Warranty Period.     

@pindac Yes, I have similar thoughts.  Some reviewers claim the Laiv Harmony comes close to the Terminator II; if so it would seem the Harmony is a better value because apparently there is a big difference between the Venus and Terminator. Another consideration for me is that Denafrips units play native DSD vs the Harmony which converts to PCM - in practice do not know if this is an issue or not.