I let a friend borrow my DSD. He gave me his Denafrips Pontus 2 to use in the meantime.
Turns out he loves my DSD and I couldn’t get it back, so I took his offer to give me his Pontus plus a couple thousand dollars for my DSD.
My plan was to sell the DSD anyway when the new one is available, so I did the deal.
The DSD has in my opinion, a much richer timbre. But the Pontus has soundstage and imaging far better than the DSD. Since I’m more interested in tone over imaging, I’m really looking forward to the TSS–whenever that is ready.
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That’s been my similar impression of the Pontus II compared to the DS. I wouldn’t say ‘far better’ but that’s probably pretty subjective and system dependent. I’ve noticed more/clearer/cleaner inner detail that probably makes the imaging seem better, and a tighter, more musical bass. But I do agree with the DS having a better timbre.
With my aging hearing I was just after more detail and I’ve recently changed everything in my system but the speakers in search of that.
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Congrats, Ron, sounds like a win-win deal.
As far as DAC sonics are concerned, I believe that associated equipment, room acoustics and one’s hearing all play a critical role in which DAC sounds best in a particular system. In other words, there is no one DAC which works best for everyone.
I have read good things about Denafrips DAC’s and I hope to hear one someday, but I am not willing to buy one from Singapore just to see if it betters my current DAC in my system. You are lucky you were able to ‘try before you buy.’
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As confirmed by the fact that his friend greatly preferred the DS!
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Yes, it’s not my end game DAC. I intend to go to Ted’s next big idea when it’s available.
But in the meantime, the Denafrips is entertaining enough. And I rarely use digital for active listening.
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I really like that some of us are swapping in DAC’s into our rigs. It’s a fairly easy swap. Last night I was thinking about swapping in my Hugo TT2 for the DS in my main rig for a week of so. Not for any reason other then it’s easy and would be interesting. The TT2 is no slouch, I’ve had it for 18 months or so and listen to it more than I do the DS. It’s a sad testimony of me being welded to my office chair.
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Curious, was your DSD customized with anything (new transformers etc…).
I hear good things about Denefrips, but still have a concern with the ChiFi aspect of it. Not so much the made in, but in the case of these and the others its Designed in, made in, sold by China. 95% of your money leaves the US. No dealers or distributors from what I know of. At least for most of them. Not to mention the support aspect of something like that. I love the PS Audio line not only for the made in US but the attention to detail and the engineering behind it. They are 100% transparent on all of it. I bet the group of individuals here know about their equipment than any other manufacturer around. Its pretty amazing what takes place on this forum. Not to mention its 100% US designed/made (I think there was a Canadian aspect to it too) and sold.
That said I too cannot wait to see whats next.
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Brian–My DSD was bone stock.
And I agree re. China. This has been discussed many times here. And there are lots of our forum friends who are perplexed by the idea of made-in/keep the money-in the US.
Some additional thoughts:
I don’t think I would have ordered this new.
It is beautifully made.
It has a distinctive sound character that I’m enjoying.
Everything in my system was made in the US except my turntable (Scotland)
At least one excitable fellow, chocking on his grape soda, is rushing to remind us that probably the resistors in our US made components come from China.
People are people, good or bad irrespective of where they were born.
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Interesting comparison. I’m with you on tone/timbre versus imaging. Tone represents the music, and the musician’s intent, imaging represents the mix, mastering engineer and to a small degree parlor tricks. Don’t get me wrong, as I do like imaging and a deep soundscape, as long as it is realistic. Apparently the Denafrips Terminator II has a slightly warmer presentation in comparison to the Pontus, with significantly improved soundstage and imaging effects. Better on the micro-details overall without being hyper detailed, etched or clinical sounding.
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I’ve never heard a negative comment about the Terminator 2 (from owners, not reviewers)
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The above review also offers a strong nod to the Grimm MU1 as a most neutral digital source reference. That should bring a smile to a few faces that frequent this forum.
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The Grimm MU1 becomes more in focus for me as I reconsider vinyl as a playback mechanism. If I eliminate TT, Phone Pre, cables, ultrasonic, Destat III, insert sleeves, LP storage, cartridges, LP’s, etc… Something like the MU1 becomes viable very quickly.
If there’s ever been a decision about this hobby that has me handwringing this is it.
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Wait, what? Are you dehydrated again? Vince?
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My thoughts as well, with three significant vinyl platforms, consolidation is in the cards. Do I pitch the three thousand plus, CDs, and 10,000 plus LPs and go high end DAC and sever. Nah, part of the fun is seeking out the vinyl.
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I do think of getting rid of cds. I can stream while I’m cooking.
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Dehydration, spring allergies, second shingles shot, laziness…dunno.
Even with just a few days with the P20 it’s enough of an impact on the digital side to make the turn to fully digital very plausible.
I will however miss crate digging. The whole hunter gatherer thing is strong with me!
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I was there, for a bit and to a degree can be convinced for the more common ones. That said probably more than 50% are “one off” releases with a distribution of 300 or less. Streaming those titles really isn’t an option. Similar to having 1960’s ESP LPs back in the day, or Saturn Research for that matter. I have yet to hear a Grimm in the first person, so things may change.
Rip 'em!
I thought about this a bit. I’d trade vinyl cleaning time for one time ripping.
My Innuos Zenith Mk3 is full, 
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