Denafrips Pontus

Geoff4rfc
Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,966
edited January 6 in Electronics
Anyone familiar with this DAC? I've been considering a DAC for my set up for some time now and this one looks to have the compatibility to compliment my gear.
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Comments

  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,822
    edited January 6
    Have you ever had an R2R DAC? Some people love them, some think they lack air. I like my Ares II which is the lower model in the line. The Pontus is pretty highly rated, but so is the Ares II and successive models (12th/Enyo, etc). Many enthusiasts have found no need to move to anything past the Ares II/Enyo line, which has had very slight improvements over the last 5 years, but is essentially the same guts.
    I do believe someone here recently sold a Pontus, so there should be some experience in the group.
    @indyhawg looks like the one who bought the Pontus from @phipiper10
  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,966
    billbillw wrote: »
    Have you ever had an R2R DAC?

    No sir, never had any external DAC, this will be my first.

    The DACs in my CDP and processor are already "decent" so I want to be very careful not to throw $$$ at my set up only to achieve a lateral move.

    I'm liking what I'm hearing about the Pontus 15th and can appreciate the XLR connectivity.

    I'll be pulling the trigger here in the next month on a center speaker upgrade however the DAC project is becoming more of a realization than a hope and a wish.

    It's good to know there are Denafrip owners here B)

    I do appreciate your input!!

  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,822
    edited January 6
    The Ares II/Enyo models also have balanced, and don't think that you must have the 15th model (Ares/Enyo or Pontus). The improvements between the II/12th/15th are all small changes despite what some reviews say. In fact, some prefer the pre-15th versions due to having a warmer overall sound.
    Hopefully, if you do get a DAC, you also consider using a streamer to the DAC and getting some High Rez material in your collection either from downloads (HDTracks, etc), or Qobuz. That's where some really noticeable improvements can be heard.