I bought the Ares 12th-1 two months ago mostly to bypass the DAC built into my Parasound HINT integrated amp because I was getting ear fatigue after fairly short listening sessions. The cost of the Ares was as much as I was willing to spend because I wasn't sure that it would make much of a difference. Boy was I wrong! The 12th-1 brought the music back to the point that I was in tears listening to some of my favorite music. Now that I know how good some digital music can sound (like analog to my ears) I am now considering an upgrade by adding the Denafrips IRIS DDC reclocker for about half the cost of the Ares.
How music sounds with this DAC vs a decent vinyl? (I mean through similar price record player) I am just wondering whether a great DAC can outperform pure analog.
Thank you for this review. I wanted to try an R2R DAC and I bought the Ares12th-1 a couple of months ago. Honestly I didn't expect this sound quality. I can't stop listening music, the instruments sounds so real and the soundstage is indeed very deep. Its currently connected to a Denon receiver through rca. Next upgrade would be a stereo amplifier with XLR inputs.
Did you notice its high output impedance? 625 Ω on RCA and 1250 Ω on XLR in spite of the two AD opamps buffer. It can create problems with 10 kΩ pot preamplifiers. For example, a regular 10 kΩ single-ended pot has a 1/4 worst case at -6 db, 2.5 kΩ. 2500/625 is a 3:1 ratio, far from a 10:1 minimum recommended impedance bridge. Usually RCA out is around 200 Ω.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannelwould that imply that most powered preamps, even vintage ones from the 1980s, would in most cases not have an issue with the output impedance of the Ares 12th - 1?
I always look forward to your new Friday videos You mentioned the phase button, how should it be set? The room can affect the phase Thank you and congratulations for your Professionalism
Good question!. It's not phase, it's polarity that in hom audio wrongly is called phase. The idea is that for instance a recorded bass drum sound starts with the woofer moving outward, just like the drum skin. The problem is that each amplifier stage innverts the polarity. So if the recording channel passes through an uneven number of amplifier stages, the polarity is reversed. But the same goes for your stereo. Just try it.
Thank you for the review. I'm confused by the term "network bridge" in the "Where to use" section of your video. You show the "bridge" connected to the DAC via I2S(?). My streamer (Wiim Pro) does not have an I2S connection. Do I need to incorporate a "network bridge" that has an IS2 connection (like an IRIS?) if I wanted to use an internet source, CD player, and TV with the Denafrips?
Hi there, great review! I’m very i terested with the ares 12th-1 but i’m wondering about the latency because i will connect it to my computer and there will be a lot of watching movies but i can’t seem to find the answers for the latency itself Thankyou for the review!
I think you should do a video explaining what a network bridge is. Every time you mention it, I’m in lala land and have no idea what you’re talking about. 🤔🤷♂️ I work in IT and understand quite a lot about audio gear, but have no idea what a network bridge is ... 🤦♂️😅 Thx!
Thank you for a great review. As an alternative to your suggested components in the "Where To Use Section" of your video, I believe one could digitally connect a CD player to a streamer/DAC, like the Eversolo DMP-A6 and eliminate the need of the Denafrips. Assuming no other digital sources will be used, which component configuration would yield the best sound quality? I ask this question because I'm considering the Eversolo and Denafrips components but am wary of the DAC overlaps. Perhaps, it all depends on my budget. Did I answer my own question? Thank you again!!!
Thanks for your review. I am thinking of getting this. Just wanted to check this eco system with you - Chromecast Audio(tidal) + Denafrip Dac + Marantz NR 1200 + Audes 116. Will the Marantz 1200 be able to do justice to the Denafrip Dac? Or I need to upgrade the amp? Thanks!
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Back when I was in search for a DAC upgrade, Denafrips would've been my 1st choice only if it had remote since I often change sources So I opted for Topping d70s. Pretty satisfied.
Thanks 🙏 Hans, but there are to many DAC’s already in this world (IMHO), and many are, more or less, the same. Do you agree? Anyhow: I will wait to what Chord Electronics wlll bring to the table at the CES next year, but I have my doubts.
@@jos5067 personally I would rather to buy expensive amp and dac mid-fi but at the end if someone got enough cash for everything to be top quality I say why not :)
@@soulfulfool lots of work (expense) done optimizing and tweaking the software in their FPGA to create the best sound possible. Most say their TT2 is a holy grail at its price point with the Mojo2 offering a great value. I still don't like their "Fisher Price" toy look at these prices. They shouldn't look like something you'd let your 3-year-old play with.
I bought the Ares 12th-1 two months ago mostly to bypass the DAC built into my Parasound HINT integrated amp because I was getting ear fatigue after fairly short listening sessions. The cost of the Ares was as much as I was willing to spend because I wasn't sure that it would make much of a difference. Boy was I wrong! The 12th-1 brought the music back to the point that I was in tears listening to some of my favorite music. Now that I know how good some digital music can sound (like analog to my ears) I am now considering an upgrade by adding the Denafrips IRIS DDC reclocker for about half the cost of the Ares.
Thanks for sharing
I had a similar experience when i heard the Ares II. I later purchased the Iris and I am very happy with the combination.
I ordered the Iris on black Friday!
Hi Hans ´do you plan to test the different versions of software that Denafrips provide?
How music sounds with this DAC vs a decent vinyl? (I mean through similar price record player) I am just wondering whether a great DAC can outperform pure analog.
Thank you for this review. I wanted to try an R2R DAC and I bought the Ares12th-1 a couple of months ago. Honestly I didn't expect this sound quality. I can't stop listening music, the instruments sounds so real and the soundstage is indeed very deep. Its currently connected to a Denon receiver through rca. Next upgrade would be a stereo amplifier with XLR inputs.
Enjoy the music!
Did you notice its high output impedance? 625 Ω on RCA and 1250 Ω on XLR in spite of the two AD opamps buffer. It can create problems with 10 kΩ pot preamplifiers. For example, a regular 10 kΩ single-ended pot has a 1/4 worst case at -6 db, 2.5 kΩ. 2500/625 is a 3:1 ratio, far from a 10:1 minimum recommended impedance bridge. Usually RCA out is around 200 Ω.
Does this mismatch in impedance account for some saying the Ares sounds "soft" and not so good in bass?
That's why I don't like passive 'amplifiers'. I had no problems.
Only when using passive amplifiers (volume control (variable resistor) in a box without further electronics.
Neutrik make a range of in-line audio transformers that can be used to help with impedance matching.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannelwould that imply that most powered preamps, even vintage ones from the 1980s, would in most cases not have an issue with the output impedance of the Ares 12th - 1?
Thank you, Hans - your reviews are always considered, informative and excellent all round.
Glad you like them!
How does the sound compare between the single ended outputs vs the balanced outputs. My amp only has single ended RCA input connections.
There is only a limited difference.
It would have been nice if you would have gone into detail on the sound differences between the Ares 2 vs 12.1. I appreciate the review.
Noted!
Excelent review. Detailed. Phenomenal! 👏💯
Much appreciated!
I have a cheap setup with a chomecast audio, ares 1, ifi tube buffer and a smsl da-8s, jamo c809. I enjoy the music
👍🏼
Thank you
You're welcome
I am looking forward to your arce review
👍🏼
I always look forward to your new Friday videos You mentioned the phase button, how should it be set? The room can affect the phase Thank you and congratulations for your Professionalism
Good question!. It's not phase, it's polarity that in hom audio wrongly is called phase. The idea is that for instance a recorded bass drum sound starts with the woofer moving outward, just like the drum skin. The problem is that each amplifier stage innverts the polarity. So if the recording channel passes through an uneven number of amplifier stages, the polarity is reversed. But the same goes for your stereo. Just try it.
Thank you for the review. I'm confused by the term "network bridge" in the "Where to use" section of your video. You show the "bridge" connected to the DAC via I2S(?). My streamer (Wiim Pro) does not have an I2S connection. Do I need to incorporate a "network bridge" that has an IS2 connection (like an IRIS?) if I wanted to use an internet source, CD player, and TV with the Denafrips?
I²S is one of the ways to connect a DAC. You can use the Ares with the WiiM with a SPDIF (RCA) cable.
Thank you for a great review Hans
My pleasure!
Hi there, great review!
I’m very i terested with the ares 12th-1 but i’m wondering about the latency because i will connect it to my computer and there will be a lot of watching movies but i can’t seem to find the answers for the latency itself
Thankyou for the review!
I don't test on latency so I can't say. Sorry.
I think you should do a video explaining what a network bridge is. Every time you mention it, I’m in lala land and have no idea what you’re talking about. 🤔🤷♂️ I work in IT and understand quite a lot about audio gear, but have no idea what a network bridge is ... 🤦♂️😅 Thx!
A whole video? It’s just a bit perfect digital audio output, being either USB, RCA or XLR. See mij review of the SOtM sMS-200.
Thank you for a great review. As an alternative to your suggested components in the "Where To Use Section" of your video, I believe one could digitally connect a CD player to a streamer/DAC, like the Eversolo DMP-A6 and eliminate the need of the Denafrips. Assuming no other digital sources will be used, which component configuration would yield the best sound quality? I ask this question because I'm considering the Eversolo and Denafrips components but am wary of the DAC overlaps. Perhaps, it all depends on my budget. Did I answer my own question? Thank you again!!!
👍🏼
Hello Hans, I would like to know how you opened the Ares. Regards Michael
Sorry, I don’t remember. I see another device almost every week.
You don't remember how you opened the denafrips Ares?
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel l would really appreciate. Regards
Correct
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Is that see answer?
Hello Hans, will you still have possession of the Ares 12th when you review the Arce? Seems logical to assume they'll be used together by customers.
Yes, I will use them together
Thanks for your review. I am thinking of getting this. Just wanted to check this eco system with you -
Chromecast Audio(tidal) + Denafrip Dac + Marantz NR 1200 + Audes 116.
Will the Marantz 1200 be able to do justice to the Denafrip Dac? Or I need to upgrade the amp?
Thanks!
I'm afraid I have not reviewed the NR1200 so I can't say.
Thanks Hans. Will let you know if I end up buying the DAC.
Unfortunately lack of the remote control is a deal-breaker for me
I can imagine.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Back when I was in search for a DAC upgrade, Denafrips would've been my 1st choice only if it had remote since I often change sources So I opted for Topping d70s. Pretty satisfied.
Hey Hans. Thanks for great content. Question. Can this dac handle output from my Denon dcd-1520ae. Sacd player ? You do not mention it in the video ?
You can use it for CD but not for SACD
Can you explain shortly why no SACD is possible? @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Thanks 🙏 Hans, but there are to many DAC’s already in this world (IMHO), and many are, more or less, the same. Do you agree? Anyhow: I will wait to what Chord Electronics wlll bring to the table at the CES next year, but I have my doubts.
dont you think that chord prices are somehow insane high
@@soulfulfoolExpensive, yes, but difficult to judge, because they develop in-house.
@@jos5067 personally I would rather to buy expensive amp and dac mid-fi but at the end if someone got enough cash for everything to be top quality I say why not :)
@@soulfulfool lots of work (expense) done optimizing and tweaking the software in their FPGA to create the best sound possible. Most say their TT2 is a holy grail at its price point with the Mojo2 offering a great value. I still don't like their "Fisher Price" toy look at these prices. They shouldn't look like something you'd let your 3-year-old play with.
I own a Chord DAVE. I wonder what nonsense you all would say about that.😄
My only regret is the loss of 2nd coax and 2nd optical inputs on the Ares II.
I understand
How about a review of your current playlist??
What playlist. You can find several on Tidal and Qobuz