All the Denafrips DAC’s seems to be setting new standards at their price points. I hope you enjoy the Pontus.Originally Posted by Mand
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Location: Coppull
Posts: 147
I'm Robert.
All the Denafrips DAC’s seems to be setting new standards at their price points. I hope you enjoy the Pontus.
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Location: Bristol, since 1978. Current house since 1996!
Posts: 910
I'm Chris.
MHDT Havana, much modded by 'Earl' Sodbury.
No filter,16 bit NOS. principle.
My Panasonic SA-HR70 receiver is digital, using a nice Texas chip, circa 1996!
Still sounding good now!
Beginning to wonder about modern digital amps, i.e. with dacs included...e.g. Hegel.....or....Avantgarde Zero speakers?
Last edited by hornucopia; 10-07-2020 at 21:28.
Chris.
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Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 6,209
I'm BigBobJoylove.
I have a Leema Elements DAC (absolutely stunning quality), an Audiolab M-DAC (original with a modified power supply - I did the modding) and an Arcam rDAC.
The Arcam rDAC is better than the Audiobab M-DAC by a country mile, but the Leema Elements is head, shoulders, chest, waist, pelvis, thighs and shins above the rDAC. I have no idea why What Hi-Fi reviewed it so badly, they're a mile out.
Perhaps Leema didn't want to advertise on their website.
Ben Duncan mains conditioner
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XMOS DSD Async USB to Coax converter
RME Audio ADI-2 FS (AK4493) DAC
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Audioquest Crimson USB interconnect
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Edifier S3000 Pro active speakers
Atacama SE24 stands
Senior Member
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 194
I'm Alastair.
I have a Topping D90 which is a big step-up from my previous DAC, a modded Beresford Caiman SEG with Dorado PSU.
Cheers
Alastair
RPI4/PI2AES running PiCorePlayer/LMS-> AQ Carbon AES -> Topping D90 DAC-> Khozomo Passive Pre-Amp -> 4x Temple Audio Monoblocks powered by 2xLiFePO batteries->Van Damme Black Bi-Wired to B&W 804 Nautilus and Sommer Carbokab 225 Interconnects
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Location: London
Posts: 882
I'm Don.
+1 same hereJust swapped out my Dragonfly for a Beresford Seg / Dorado from the classifieds. Very happy with it. No more box swapping until it dies or I move again
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Co-Founder/Administrator
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 6,209
I'm BigBobJoylove.
I had the SEG with an upgrade PSU. A fine DAC! Didn’t get round to doing the mods though.
Senior Member
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 263
I'm Dave.
How does the Pontus sound?
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Location: Suffolk
Posts: 246
I'm Ray.
How does it compare to the Soncoz?
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Location: Nottingham
Posts: 625
I'm Ian.
Interesting question, i have seen threads saying the soncoz is cutting edge, it would be very interesting to hear more about the difference innbuild and sound quality fron someone who has run both
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Location: Near Newcastle upon Tyne
Posts: 110
I'm Mandeep.
Here we go then
Soncoz is a no brainier for the money. Even handed tonal balance, detail, soundstage. Multiple in and out’s.
Not bad build but the rotary knob was a little wobbly.
Denafrips feels like a million dollar product, weight is 8.5kg. Buttons click in and out solidly, built like a tank.
Also multiple in and out’s.
Soundstage so far is not as wide as the Soncoz, depth is similar, but allegedly will improve.
Detail is there but not as obviously detailed as the Soncoz.
One big thing for me is speed. The Soncoz seemed a little slower tempo, Denafrips much faster when listening to speed metal etc.
There is just something about the Pontus that the Soncoz lacked, music is just more musical and my feet tap more.
Very subtle difference with the filters on both, I couldn’t really tell them apart.
Pontus NOS and OS mode also hard to tell apart.
I knew I wouldn’t be happy long term with Soncoz, Denafrips is here to stay.
Mand
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