Denafrips product owners please fall in

StreamFidelity

Well-Known Member
Jun 30, 2020
108
118
115
Rostock, Germany
griggaudio.de
Anyone here with experience with Euphony Stylus software?
I'm not

What's your take?
Roon with HQPlayer - it's great!

 

RikkiPoo

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2020
118
82
95
Compared my Innuos Statements USB to the TP vs Statement USB to the Iris then HDMI to the TP. I was surprised the Iris improved the presentation and not by a little. I just enabled the TP clock out to the Iris and another crazy jump in sound quality.
 

Blake

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2018
247
312
170
I just ordered a Pontus, to join my existing Iris in my headphone setup. Currently I am using a Qutest, that I like, but I am not entirely happy with in terms of my sonic preferences in my headphone setup. The weird thing is, I like Qutest with speakers and Gaia. But with headphones, the Qutest is giving me ear fatigue and seems a bit hard sounding.

I am over the moon happy with my Terminator Plus +Gaia combo in my speaker setup, so Pontus was a pretty obvious contender.

There is a 4-6 week backorder on the Pontus, so now the waiting game starts.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Abyss Man and Koso

Abyss Man

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2019
224
168
50
Compared my Innuos Statements USB to the TP vs Statement USB to the Iris then HDMI to the TP. I was surprised the Iris improved the presentation and not by a little. I just enabled the TP clock out to the Iris and another crazy jump in sound quality.
Hi buddy,
That is certainly interesting cause the Statement has a very good USB implemenatation. Its bascially got a Phoenix in it I believe. Enjoy Rikki and thanks for sharing this here buddy, makes our investments in Denafrips a whole lot sweeter. Alvin should on cloud nine now.

Rikki one more thing, could you share with us your cables. Thank you buddy.

I remember @Blake mentioning the 6moons review where they found the Gaia was better than the Phoenix. Am I right Blake? Anyway its also in line with our findings. The TP/Gaia or Iris is just crazy fantastico......Wooohoooo.
 

Abyss Man

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2019
224
168
50
I just ordered a Pontus, to join my existing Iris in my headphone setup. Currently I am using a Qutest, that I like, but I am not entirely happy with in terms of my sonic preferences in my headphone setup. The weird thing is, I like Qutest with speakers and Gaia. But with headphones, the Qutest is giving me ear fatigue and seems a bit hard sounding.

I am over the moon happy with my Terminator Plus +Gaia combo in my speaker setup, so Pontus was a pretty obvious contender.

There is a 4-6 week backorder on the Pontus, so now the waiting game starts.
Hi Blake,
Are you my twin? I sold my Qutest for that very same reasons buddy, I just could not go on a long session without feeling fatigued. Hence I went with Pontus and then upgraded to Termy and now TP.
 

Blake

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2018
247
312
170
Hi Blake,
Are you my twin? I sold my Qutest for that very same reasons buddy, I just could not go on a long session without feeling fatigued. Hence I went with Pontus and then upgraded to Termy and now TP.

Wow! That is very interesting my friend. Apparently we have the same sonic preferences. No wonder we are both Denafrips fans.
 

Blake

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2018
247
312
170
I remember @Blake mentioning the 6moons review where they found the Gaia was better than the Phoenix. Am I right Blake? Anyway its also in line with our findings. The TP/Gaia or Iris is just crazy fantastico......Wooohoooo.

In his review of the Denafrips Avatar, Srajan of 6Moons notes that he did compare the Phoenix, Gaia and through extrapolation to another review, the Mutec MC-3+ USB. While the comparison was not perfect in that he compared Phoenix going to the Terminator Plus usb input, whereas the Gaia was going in to the Terminator Plus I2S input (there was no way around this since Gaia doesn't have USB output, and the Phoenix only has USB output), the ranking of best sonic performance was:

1. Terminator Plus + Gaia with the Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged upstream to the Gaia.
2. Terminator Plus + Phoenix
3. Terminator Plus + Gaia without Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged.
4. Mutec MC-3+ USB
 

Abyss Man

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2019
224
168
50
In his review of the Denafrips Avatar, Srajan of 6Moons notes that he did compare the Phoenix, Gaia and through extrapolation to another review, the Mutec MC-3+ USB. While the comparison was not perfect in that he compared Phoenix going to the Terminator Plus usb input, whereas the Gaia was going in to the Terminator Plus I2S input (there was no way around this since Gaia doesn't have USB output, and the Phoenix only has USB output), the ranking of best sonic performance was:

1. Terminator Plus + Gaia with the Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged upstream to the Gaia.
2. Terminator Plus + Phoenix
3. Terminator Plus + Gaia without Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged.
4. Mutec MC-3+ USB
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this details, much appreciated Blake, so there we go. TP/Gaia is one combo which rates exceptionally high.

Looking forward to your review of the Pontus when it arrives. Mine was the “Old” Pontus, so looking fwd to your FR. Have a good one buddy.
 

iSparta

New Member
Nov 7, 2020
2
2
3
59
Hello Denafripers

Having read this thread I decided to buy a Pontus as an introduction to Denafrips DACs. It's been in place for sixteen days and I'm delighted with it now it's had a good burn in time.

Early next week an Iris will arrive to keep it company. The units will be connected by an Argentus Tubulus HDMI cable so another burn in phase is in the offing.

I've been thinking about an external clock solution. In a cupboard I have a cheap ocxo 50 ohm clock I bought having jumped in after reading the Master Clock for your EtherRegen thread over on AS. https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/59419-master-clock-for-your-etherregen/
This unit has since been replaced by the 75 ohm version so is lying gathering dust. Does anyone know if I could use it with the Iris which has a 49.152m input or would I be wide of the mark there? I'm clueless about this stuff so I thought I'd ask here.

Thank you
 
Last edited:

HifiHandyman

New Member
Sep 26, 2020
3
11
3
51
Hi Guys! Well, I’ve had the new Gaia now in place for about five days and I’m very pleased to report my excellent results. There is no question that the soundstage and detail has been improved. on several tracks I listen to often, the background vocals are much more audible and easy to distinguish from the other parts. The music is more “separated out” so each instrument is more clearly distinguished from the others. It also says a lot for the Magnepans. Each upgrade has been a clear improvement, these speakers just keep sounding better. Thanks to Alvin for his help, it was a pleasure both times to buy from him.
 

Abyss Man

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2019
224
168
50
Hello Denafripers

Having read this thread I decided to buy a Pontus as an introduction to Denafrips DACs. It's been in place for sixteen days and I'm delighted with it now it's had a good burn in time.

Early next week an Iris will arrive to keep it company. The units will be connected by an Argentus Tubulus HDMI cable so another burn in phase is in the offing.

I've been thinking about an external clock solution. In a cupboard I have a cheap ocxo 50 ohm clock I bought having jumped in after reading the Master Clock for your EtherRegen thread over on AS. https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/59419-master-clock-for-your-etherregen/
This unit has since been replaced by the 75 ohm version so is lying gathering dust. Does anyone know if I could use it with the Iris which has a 49.152m input or would I be wide of the mark there? I'm clueless about this stuff so I thought I'd ask here.

Thank you
Hi,
Congratulations on your new purchase and the excellent sonic benefits it will bring.
Jumping straight in, I would suggest you contact Alvin regarding the clocking requirements for the Iris. My piece is, if you can indeed use an external master clock I would invest in a good and proper unit. Good clocking cables and power cords are also of paramount importance. Read audiobacon review of BNC cables.
I’m personally using Tellurium Silver Diamond cables. Cheers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blake

alvin1118

Well-Known Member
Nov 2, 2015
45
87
150
Singapore
www.vinshineaudio.com
Thanks for the supports, guys. We are grateful.

DENAFRIPS DDC accept external clocks input at 75ohms impedance. Two clocks input are required, i.e.

- 45.1584MHz (For 44.1KHz based)
- 49.152Mhz (For 48kHz based)

For GAIA, the internal OCXO clocks are already of very high quality. It explains why @HifiHandyman is hearing great improvements.

Enjoy the music! :)

image2.jpeg

image1.jpeg
 

Abyss Man

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2019
224
168
50
Thanks for the supports, guys. We are grateful.

DENAFRIPS DDC accept external clocks input at 75ohms impedance. Two clocks input are required, i.e.

- 45.1584MHz (For 44.1KHz based)
- 49.152Mhz (For 48kHz based)

For GAIA, the internal OCXO clocks are already of very high quality. It explains why @HifiHandyman is hearing great improvements.

Enjoy the music! :)

View attachment 71255

View attachment 71256
Hi Alvin,
Thank you for enlightening us, but does that mean we can use a 10mhz master clock with a 75ohm BNC cable to reclock the Iris?
The Gaia we already know has brilliant Dual OCXO onboard.

Thank you.
 

iSparta

New Member
Nov 7, 2020
2
2
3
59
@Abyss Man and @alvin1118 Hi guys thanks for the replies.

It was just a thought about an unused bit of kit lying unused, I think I'll still give it a go though. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out.

Really impressed with the Pontus as it is, so of course I'm thinking about TP and Gaia but not for a while due to financial constraints.

Happy listening.
Saor Alba.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blake and Abyss Man

Abyss Man

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2019
224
168
50
@Abyss Man and @alvin1118 Hi guys thanks for the replies.

It was just a thought about an unused bit of kit lying unused, I think I'll still give it a go though. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out.

Really impressed with the Pontus as it is, so of course I'm thinking about TP and Gaia but not for a while due to financial constraints.

Happy listening.
Saor Alba.
Hi Saro,
U are very welcome. Take your music journey as a marathon not a sprint. Enjoy each upgrade and above all enjoy the music. Stay safe. Once again welcome to WBF.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iSparta

martin778

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2014
62
10
238
I've got 2 Denafrips units, Terminator+ and ARES II. Very happy with both, especially the TP.
 

alvin1118

Well-Known Member
Nov 2, 2015
45
87
150
Singapore
www.vinshineaudio.com
Thanks, @martin778. Do consider the Iris/Gaia DDC to go with the TPlus.

Enjoy the music!
 

martin778

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2014
62
10
238
Hi Alvin,
How would that work, USB input from the streamer to the Gaia and then HDMI-i2S to the TP and connect the clocks through BNC between the TP and Gaia?
 

alvin1118

Well-Known Member
Nov 2, 2015
45
87
150
Singapore
www.vinshineaudio.com
That's correct, @martin778.

Streamer->USB Output-> GAIA DDC->HDMI i2s->Terminator-Plus DAC


TPlus.png

GAIA is a DDC, Digital To Digital converter, it accepts USB/Coax/AES/Optical input.

For computer audio system users, I would highly recommend a DDC as the DDC helps to isolate the computer noise effectively. The sonic improvements are evident. DDC reclocks and FIFO buffer to 'clean' the digital signal, and outputs the ultra-low jitters digital signal to an external DAC.

Moreover, the clock synchronization between the GAIA and Terminator-Plus cleans up the imaging, enhances transient clarity, as well as cohesive flow of the music.

Hope this helps!
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing