Denafrips Ares II, Pontus II, Venus II, and Terminator Plus
Listening Round One – SPDIF
All four DACs have seen prior use and should be run in. Nevertheless, they were all connected to power simultaneously and allowed several days to acclimatize.
When switched on, all four DACs get comfortingly warm to the touch, but not hot. I will start my listening with the Grimm MU1 music server as a source, connected via Jorma S/PDIF cable.
Ares II
Despite its small size, the entry-level 915-euro Denafrips Ares II DAC is still surprisingly heavy. As with the other Denafrips products, it contains a fully linear power supply built around a beefy toroid transformer in combination with a large bank of small capacitors.
From the first notes, it’s clear that even the Ares II is a full-blood Denafrips product. There’s just no thickening, blurring, or veiling anywhere to be found. The sound is crisp and clear yet also refined and fluid and with a nice free flow.
Even without having started comparisons, it’s clear that tonal saturation is not this DAC’s forte. In an absolute sense, it just sounds quite lean and thin. In other words, it’s not very full or rich-sounding. Nonetheless, the DAC has no trouble delivering on a level that makes me want to hear more.
Apart from sounding lean, the Ares II sounds very linear and very neutral. The sound is remarkably detailed for a DAC at this price level and also surprisingly airy and refined. The music is always fast and upbeat and with very good transient behavior, and on the surface, good bass articulation. Most of the time, the Ares II sounds sparkly and quite articulate, but with some music, especially when it is of the slower and less incisive sort, sometimes, the transients can seem slightly rounded. That said, this Ares is certainly not a slow DAC and the sound also does not stick to the speakers but while the soundstage is free in all directions, I’ve experienced more room-filling sound and although I would absolutely not call the Ares II blurry or indistinct in itself, I know from earlier experience that the Venus and the Terminator manage more distinct placement and definition within the stage.
Overall, the Ares II comes across as revealing and precise, but thanks to its fluidity and refinement, it does not sound dry or overly technical. Given its sub-1000-euro price, the DAC performs admirably but if funds allow it and the accompanying system has high-end aspirations, I would recommend spending more. And what better DAC to look at next than the next model in the Denafrips lineup?
Pontus II
With the Pontus II, the retail price doubles to just below 2000 euro. If ever there was a case of specs not telling the whole story, this is it! When comparing the published specs for the Ares II and the Pontus II, the underlying R2R DAC technology seems to be identical and the only differences seem to be an ultra-low-noise encapsulated power supply (instead of low-noise non-encapsulated), Adaptive FIFO buffering (instead of apparently non-adaptive), and improved DSP. That, and a considerably nicer case along with more inputs. But is that worth double the price? As I would soon find out, absolutely!
It is indicated that the Pontus adopted many of the technologies found in the Terminator DAC but this is not further specified. But clearly, more has changed internally than just the points noted above, for the Pontus II offers much fuller tonality and significantly more robust bass, with more color, substance, and conviction. If the Ares II’s most notable quality is its refinement and flair, the Pontus’ most notable quality is its powerful and decisive delivery.
The DAC’s robust stance carries through from the bass into the midrange and the treble, making for a remarkably muscular and expressive delivery. Now, I must say, we’re getting closer to the benchmark that I am used to hearing, mind you, normally from DACs that cost multiples…
The Pontus II is darker than the Ares II and also a little darker in an absolute sense, although the Ares II also feels a little tipped up in the treble because its bass is leaner. Hearing the beautifully fast and articulate bass and the crisp transients with the Pontus II also confirms that the Ares II can indeed sometimes sound slightly round on the transients. However, don’t put too much weight on this as that doesn’t prevent it from sounding compelling and musical. But the Pontus II is clearly better in every single way, and it makes a particularly strong case for itself with its fuller timbre and richer tonal saturation. For this aspect alone, I feel that it’s worth the extra cost, even without considering the enhanced precision, clearer definition, and increased expression.
But that’s not even the end of my praise. The Pontus II also raises the dynamic envelope with more incisiveness and stronger impact, leading to an overall more dynamic presentation. This is another strong argument for choosing this model over the Ares II. Finally, the Pontus II sounds more spacious and the soundstage has more depth, which makes it more fascinating to listen to and brings the performance closer to reality.
While the Ares II certainly surprised me with the offered quality at the price, it’s only with the Pontus II that I start to feel that I could use it in my day-to-day work for reviewing as well as enjoyment. Yes, it is that good!
Venus II
For 1300 euros more than the Pontus II, you can buy the Venus II. Purely spec-wise, the differences appear small again: 26 bit R2R instead of 24 bit, High Precision Hand-Matched 0.005% Resistors instead of High Precision Hand-Matched 0.01% Resistors, and a Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator TCXO instead of a FEMTO Crystal. But as I know from experience, higher precision components can lead to an impressive increase in performance.
I had heard the Venus DAC before as part of my original review, but the Venus II DAC really surprised me when hearing it after the Pontus. To be honest, the Venus II did not immediately establish itself as a better DAC than the Pontus II. This has a lot to do with the fact that it is tonally very different. Rather than sounding full, slightly dark, and robust, it sounds agile, open, and airy. But in place of the deep tonal saturation of the Pontus II, the Venus II sounds leaner and less impactful in the bass. The DAC feels more controlled, and because of this, less propulsive and festive. But after having readjusted to the new presentation, I also hear several notable improvements.
The Venus II sounds considerably more open and airy, and in terms of detail, refinement, and transparency, it is most definitely more precise. But rather than become dry, the Venus II is actually considerably more fluid than the Pontus II. Actually, the latter now sounds dry in comparison. The Venus II is considerably leaner than the Pontus II, and to be honest, it really is a little lean in an absolute sense, but it’s not for a lack of bass depth. Rather, the extremely high precision makes that there is simply zero blur, thickness, or overhang. While the Pontus II may have had that instantly likable foot-tapping quality, once I go back to it, I dearly miss the extra transparency and refinement of the Venus II.
The imaging is also different from the Pontus II. Instead of the seemingly round sonic ball that “hangs” in the room around the speakers and the listener with the Pontus II, there is now a vertically flatter plane that extends more deeply in all directions but seems to possess less height. I’m sure it’s a psychoacoustic effect but nonetheless a difference between the two DACs.
Although the Venus II is clearly superior in every audiophile sense and it is supremely refined and fluid and in no way dry, I do feel that it has more of a cerebral delivery than the Ares II and the Pontus II. It seems to be so very precise and controlled that it becomes less groovy and less emotionally appealing.
I should add that this is most evident in a direct comparison. When casually listening to the Venus II for a longer period during the writing of this review, I no longer noticed the DAC’s business-like approach, rather, there were several instances when I was amazed at its resolution and rhythmic precision.
In conclusion, the Venus II may be less immediately likable but it offers a measure of precision, linearity, transparency, focus, refinement, air, and fluidity, that the other two DACs simply can’t achieve. I have deep respect for the DAC and think it offers benchmark performance at its price level but now I really wonder what the Terminator Plus has to offer.
Christiaan,
I very much appreciate your review methods and style as well as the content. I am not currently in market for another DAC, but this review, for me, paints the best picture of system interplay for Denafrips I have read. Well done!
Thanks Will!
Hi Christiaan, great review of the Denafrips lot. I end up buying the Pontus II and I am truly happy with it. It delivers a more “real” sound than my previous Chord Qutest. Amazing job :once again 🙂
Thanks for the feedback Vasco!
Older Terminator II? That must be a mistake as this one has just been released. Also, I2S is the best input for TII and Terminator Plus
I meant “original Terminator”. Now corrected. Yes, I2S is technically best, please see my separate Terminator Plus review for a report on this interface.
Thank you Christiaan for clarifying. Any chance to review the Terminator II anytime soon? That would be nice to compare it against the Venus II and the Terminator Plus
I think chances are slim, but in any event, there are no plans for this.
Epic review, bravo! I have Pontus II and i like it a lot. Based on your review i think that i would prefer it over the more expensive models even if they are technically better. I tried Ares II in the past and wasn’t that impressed to be honest but Pontus II is not going anywhere. I combine it with Iris DDC.
I just purchased the AresII about a month ago. I use it with a Schiit Jot2 amp, and my Audeze LCD-2C headphones, and I absolutely love it! Tho I know it’s good, this was a great article to explain how the other DACS compare. Invaluable! Great job!
Can you compare the Terminator Plus to the latest Aqua La Scala? I’m interested in bypassing the internal DAC in my Trinnov. I’m running a pair of subs which will still use the analogue outs on the Trinnov and am crossing my Quads over at 50 Hz so the external DAC would be working from 50 Hz up.
Hi Ken, While I don’t have the Scala available for a direct comparison, I remember how it compares to the Formula xHD. Do note that while there are large differences between external DACs, comparing one to a built-in DAC can be tricky. Also, I wonder if you’d be lowering the coherence if the subs receive their signal from a different DAC than the main speakers.
That said, the La Scala with its tube output stage sounds fuller, richer, sweeter, and slightly more sonorous than the Formula. However, the latter sounds significantly more linear, refined, detailed, and transparent. The Termninator Plus goes even further in that same direction. In a nutshell, for the highest precision, the Terminator Plus is your best bet, but it won’t offer any of the rich tube-goodness that the La Scala does.
Thank you for this. I owned the Ares and did not gel with its tonal character in my system (indeed to lean and a bit sharp at times). Several dealers confirmed that the Pontus has the same character, why I had decided to move in from Denafrips. Maybe I should yet give the Pontus a try 🤔
If accuracy and transparency (and not smoothness or forgiving warmth) are what you are after, then I would definitely give the Pontus a try. It shares the general Denafrips house sound but is fuller-sounding nonetheless.
Thanks Christian! I think I would like to try something in the more smooth/forgiving camp tbh 😊 Am considering the Spring DAC, but not sure it’s the way to go either. Would like something that is a big step up from the Ares II/Rega DAC that I have been using. Full lower mids welcome 🤗
Thanks Christiaan. I’ll have to run the Trinnov room correction again with the external DAC. Latency could also be a problem but the Trinnov is so capable I’m confident it can make it work.
The Trinnov sure is a fantastic piece of gear but it’s hard to forecast how the combination with another DAC will work. That said, I’m pretty confident that the Terminator Plus will outperform the built-in DAC in quite a few important areas. Ultimately, I’m afraid it remains a matter of just trying it out.
Hi Christiaan,
really compliments for your style, the precision in the descriptions (above all, as far as I’m concerned, in the highlighting of the different sonic nuances), really appreciated by us fans and for this reason even more fun to read.
Reading your personal comments about the Terminator brought me back to a very similarly priced product that you tested: the APL DSD.AR.
The curiosity to read your comment about the pros and cons of the Terminator compared to the DSD-AR (at least indirectly but with the same references) is killing me!
Please let me know what’s your opinion about these two dacs and whether you consider them overall more or less competitive !
Kind regards
Stefano
Hi Stefano, thanks for the compliment! Regarding the APL DSD, as I don’t have it at hand for a direct comparison, I can’t make any hard claims but one thing that I’m sure of is that the APL is sweeter, fuller, and more relaxed, less tight, but with more flow. I recall it as being quite precise, detailed, articulate, and transparent but I think if I were to now put it up against the Terminator Plus, then the latter will outperform it in these areas, and probably by quite a margin. Are they competitive? Well, I’d say yes if we consider the overall sound quality. But I would say no if one is looking for a particular sound since these two DACs really sound quite different.
Hey Christian I’m a bit late seeing this review but as usual fantastic job! A really thorough comprehensive comparison of a very popular line of Dacs. This should prove invaluable information for lots of folks looking for a new Dac. I am not in the market and still enjoyed the heck out of reading the review.
Cheers,
Jon
Thanks Jon!
I really was reading these notes seriously until the audiofoolery vomitted out. I can point out specifics, but it is too far gone to bother with.
Amazing review, as always Hifi-Advice.
I´m going to try one of this amazing Dacs. I have only a question because i hate warm sound:
Are this Dacs with Neutral tone?.
Big Hug!
Hi Francis, Denafrips DACs are amongst the most neutral DACs that I have heard. Only the Pontus DAC could perhaps be said to have a dash of warmth, but mostly, I see this as more full-bodied and tonally fuller than for instance the Venus, I don’t see it as warmth. I am currently reviewing two Denafrips preamps and these too are very very neutral, with no warmth.
Christiaan,
You say the Pontus II “sounds more spacious and the soundstage has more depth”. I’m a huge fan of soundstage… you could say holographic soundstage. Its why I’m on my 4h set of Martin Logans. I LOVE soundstage, lol. How would you rate the Pontus on this sound feature? How much deeper, larger a soundstage does it create say compared to your usual implementation of a delta sigma design?
Thank you! -Marc
By “usual”, I mean, “average”, aka…similar price range.
Sorry Marc, I can’t really answer that question.
Guessing that means you haven’t reviewed the average to make the comparison. How about just in terms of what you’ve seen out there compared to the Pontus in terms of overall soundstage performance? Does it perform well in this area against the DACs you’ve used? What brand would you say does it best, is it a huge margin?
Soundstage depth is as much a function of the source as the DAC, as well as depending greatly on the interface (USB/etc). All things being equal, the Pontus has great soundstage depth and I don’t recall other DACs in its price range beating it in this regard.
Thanks Christiaan! Pontus it is. Now have to figure out pre.
Literally burst out laughing when I read your comments about stacking components.
How exactly would stacking components with no moving parts have any effect on sound quality?
Good evening Christiaan, one quick question please:
Audio GD R8 or Denafrips Pontus II? if you had to choose, what would it be? I know it’s not simple, I have R8 (2020). Thank you in advance..
Both are very capable DACs, and honestly, I wouldn’t know which to choose without listening to the R8 again and having it side by side with the Pontus. I think maybe the Pontus is airier and more refined and the R8 is perhaps earthier and less analytical. But I’m pulling this comparison out of my hat and I might be wrong. In any case, it’ll mostly be a matter of taste.
Very nice review . Thank you. it helps a lot. Could you please tell me how many % of the terminator do we get with the Pontus in your opinion ¿
Many say for instance that you get 70-80% of chord Hugo tt2 with the qutest , is that the case with the terminator and pontus¿ thank you
Sorry, I feel it is impossible to put this into a percentage. For me, Terminator has part of Pontus and part of Venus, yet is better than both.
Good morning Christiaan
I love your Website and all of your knowledge!
You are the Pro of the Pro’s 😉
I’ve got a little question about my audio setup:
Denafrips Hades
Denafrips Thallo
Matrix X-Sabre Pro
Boenicke W5
What do you think about the DAC Matrix X-Sabre Pro vs one of the line «Denafrips», maybe a Venus II or Terminator II?
Do you think an upgrade to the Denafrips is a big thing or just a little «nuance»?
It would be more than great to hear from you.
I wish you a beautiful day.
Best regards from Zurich
Aldo Wipfli
Hi Aldo, thank you for the kind words:-) I’ve reviewed the Matrix X-Sabre pro on this site (do have a look) and I feel that with the exception of the Enyo and Ares, the Denafrips DACs outperform it. It’s more than nuances but depending on what you are looking for it may also not be a major difference. For instance, the Matrix is plenty explicit and direct and you’re not going to find that the Denafrips DACs open previously closed curtains or something to that effect. But you will find that there can be much more refinement and retina-like resolution, fluidity, air, and transparency. Certainly the Terminator is a beast of a DAC, one of the best I heard, with competition only in the 10K+ range.
Hi, I often read your reviews, and like the way you test, but I really have my reservations about denafrips.
I’ve had a Pontus II and found it to be a dead sounding dac, artificial (lying on top) highs, rather thin in the lows and too present in its screamy mids, compared to the many other dacs I’ve owned. In addition, the USB port is unusable due to all kinds of sync problems, the DAC will distort every few hours (kind of pink noise effect). The overall sound image of the Pontus II is smooth, lack of dynamics, but especially the lack of real presence of the instruments / voices, there is a kind of misty tinge to the music. The only thing you can learn from Denafrips is marketing, which is fantastic, how do you create myth with followers without a serious product. Unscrew one of these and see, cheap plastic junk, I really wonder if they send testers the same thing that the consumer gets?
I feel confident in saying whomever wrote this has mental issues. You really think the material a shelf is made out affects the tonality of a component? Dear god this is a mental health crisis
This is a model review. Detailed, intelligent comparisons on otherwise the same equipment.
A Pontus II 12th-1 is in transit for delivery this week.
Thanks for the kind words!
Good review!
I am looking at used gear.
Denafrips Pontus Ii or 12th (NOT 15th)
OR Wadia di322?
Hi Brandon, I’ve not heard the Wadia di322. It should be noted that its design is no longer “classic” Wadia, and it will likely sound very different from the older Wadias. As can be read in the review, I regard the Pontus very highly. I’ve yet to hear a Denafrips DAC that does not sound good. Even the entry-level models are surprisingly good given their price bracket. With that in mind, I would opt for a Denafrips over a Wadia.
Thanks for this nice review. How would you see a LAB12 vs a La Scala? Or some other idea with valves?
Please see the Aqua La Scala review for more info. I have not heard the LAB12.
Excellent review and helped me decide on acquiring a Pontus ii
Hello . I have B & W 706 s2 speakers which I find sometimes bright . Someone recommended R2R DAC to me to reduce the brightness . Which of the denafrips DAC would you suggest ?
If the aim is to reduce brightness, Denafrips may not be the ideal brand for you. All their DACs sound super-accurate and neutral, not smooth, warm, forgiving, or dark. I’m not sure why you were recommended R2R DACs to reduce brightness, as in my experience so far, all such DACs are crisp an clear sounding. DACs using Classic Philips converters such as TDA1541/TDA1543 and a few others, might be more fit for that task. In any case, from the Denafrips lineup, I would recommend the Pontus as it has the most robust, full-blooded, and least bright sound.
Anyone know what happened between the Denefrips and Vinshine (their dealer and customer service)? Fallout from cultural and/or business differences?
I have no more information than what was published by Vinshine, but it looks to me that Denafrips is simply looking to increase their margins by going factory-direct.