Denafrips Terminator dac ...

[joeinid]

https://www.denafrips.com/terminator

[joeinid]

[Devg]

Congrats Joe! Looks awesome with the top removed

How does it sound compared to the other DACs you have ?

[joeinid]

I don’t have one but am thinking seriously of a new/better dac. This is getting raves right now. I’ve never heard of them.

[Jack]

Joe

There was a lot of chatter on AC about that model a while back but I don't recall if anyone actually pulled the trigger on one. Unlike the Gustard at around $1000 this would be a lot to spend on an unknown. Seems to be a couple of owners on CA but kind of hard to follow those discussions some times.

[joeinid]

Over the next few months, I’m dac shopping. I may need to pick your brain a little.

[asiufy]

Joe,

Have you ever heard an Aqua La Voce? Just curious... Seems to have your name written all over it... Or do you want something better/higher up than the PS Audio?


cheers,
alex

[arthurs]

No Lampi Joe?

[joeinid]

Hi Alex,

Never heard the Aqua, but it was recommended to me before. I think I want a sweeter presentation than the PS Audio is giving me. A little more bloom perhaps.

Joe,

Have you ever heard an Aqua La Voce? Just curious... Seems to have your name written all over it... Or do you want something better/higher up than the PS Audio?


cheers,
alex

[joeinid]

My friend Bruce and I were talking lampizator over the past few days. Actually, it high on the list but I know they will probably never offer a network input. It’s so nice have a dac with a network interface that’s a Roon endpoint.

No Lampi Joe?

[asiufy]

Well, I consider the PS Audio pretty bloomy as is, so maybe you should really go for a tube DAC. Aqua makes the La Scala, which has a tubed output stage, and discrete ladder DAC modules. But alas, no network input for now, so you'll still have to arrange for a Roon endpoint...

I'm going to be with the Aqua CEO at CES next week, so I'll ask him what the plans are for that... Hopefully 2018 will bring more network inputs and Roon endpoint compatibility!

[Jack]

Joe

If you want to try the La Voce let me know and we can work it out. The La Scala is supposed to be a great DAC according to my friend Mark but not so much "tube sounding" like a Lampi. Kind of a hybrid.

[Devg]

DS should be quiet bloomy but also very sensitive to the front end (and I can't stress it enough). My home made Roon server with JCAT and LPS sounds excellent with it and I am on the way to improvise it further.

I am also curious what are the DAC available in the market that present a big, 3d & airy soundstage ? How is the DAVE in this department ?

[Glareskin]

Joe, did you try to use a different renderer with the PS Audio? I also think DSD with RedCloud is as bloomy as can be. But I don't think that the BridgeII in the DS is the best renderer around. I am considering this trio from SOtM. It is 'just' the renderer or network audio adapter in the form of the sMS-200 Ultra combined with the dedicated power supply sPS-500 and the tX-USBUltra USB regenerator / re-clocker.

Hans Beekhuyzen, a respected audio journalist, is unusually enthusiastic and claims this will improve the sound of every DAC. With the PS Audio the only thing we would give up is MQA.

[sharkmouth]

Joe ... Aries Cerat!

[joeinid]

That's my thought as well. Since I am mostly or all SS, a tube dac would be smart. I guess bloomy or not is all relative. I don't find my Strads as being "too" sweet either.

Well, I consider the PS Audio pretty bloomy as is, so maybe you should really go for a tube DAC. Aqua makes the La Scala, which has a tubed output stage, and discrete ladder DAC modules. But alas, no network input for now, so you'll still have to arrange for a Roon endpoint...

I'm going to be with the Aqua CEO at CES next week, so I'll ask him what the plans are for that... Hopefully 2018 will bring more network inputs and Roon endpoint compatibility!

[joeinid]

These look expensive.

Joe ... Aries Cerat!

[joeinid]

I have not, but that's interesting. The sound quality jumped by a lot using my Intel NUC to serve the music. I'll have to look at these.

Joe, did you try to use a different renderer with the PS Audio? I also think DSD with RedCloud is as bloomy as can be. But I don't think that the BridgeII in the DS is the best renderer around. I am considering this trio from SOtM. It is 'just' the renderer or network audio adapter in the form of the sMS-200 Ultra combined with the dedicated power supply sPS-500 and the tX-USBUltra USB regenerator / re-clocker.

Hans Beekhuyzen, a respected audio journalist, is unusually enthusiastic and claims this will improve the sound of every DAC. With the PS Audio the only thing we would give up is MQA.

[Glareskin]

I have not, but that's interesting. The sound quality jumped by a lot using my Intel NUC to serve the music. I'll have to look at these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCoFIdPLcUk

[wisnon]

My friend Bruce and I were talking lampizator over the past few days. Actually, it high on the list but I know they will probably never offer a network input. It’s so nice have a dac with a network interface that’s a Roon endpoint.

The Pacific Dac does! Also, the exciting news is that Riccardo Kron tubes are finally out. DHTs with zirconium coated mesh plates...a worlds first!

For cheaper, I hear good things about Cos D2 Dac. 6Moons gave it a Blue Moon award. Taiwanese.

[wisnon]

Joe

If you want to try the La Voce let me know and we can work it out. The La Scala is supposed to be a great DAC according to my friend Mark but not so much "tube sounding" like a Lampi. Kind of a hybrid.

Which Lampi are you talking about and with which tubes?

2A3 in a GG is very SS sounding. Recti choice matters a LOT too. Lampi Dacs are very easy to tailor in terms of sound.

Atlantic Dac is more SS sounding than a GG with 300B.

242 tubes in a GG kills them all and I cant wait to hear what the new RK tubes sound like!

[wisnon]

Hans Beekhuyzen, a respected audio journalist, is unusually enthusiastic and claims this will improve the sound of every DAC. With the PS Audio the only thing we would give up is MQA.

Hans also raved about the HUGO and it is HORRIBLE as a main Dac!
Having said that, I do hear good things about the SoTM and the UltraRendu as NAAs, but also about Hummingbird computer with the "right" Linux build...wink/wink.

[Glareskin]

Hans also raved about the HUGO and it is HORRIBLE as a main Dac!
Having said that, I do hear good things about the SoTM and the UltraRendu as NAAs, but also about Hummingbird computer with the "right" Linux build...wink/wink.

Hi Norman,
I don't know about the Hugo except that a lot of high-end enthusiasts are raving about it. He is not the only one. I think mainly in the head-fi sector though.
But I was responding to Joe since we both have a PS Audio DAC. And I do love the sound and the speed of updates with sonic improvements. However I suspect that the streaming part (BridgeII), that PS Audio is purchasing from Convers Digital might not be the strongest part of it.
Denafrips might be good too but is on the complete other end of tech choices with R2R ladder approach where the PS Audio is a pure DSD dac.

[Rob181]

Hi Norman,
Denafrips might be good too but is on the complete other end of tech choices with R2R ladder approach where the PS Audio is a pure DSD dac.

I have ordered a Denafrips Terminator & their yet to be released Music Server unseen & unheard. It/they tick all the right boxes for me...
26 bit R2R ladder processing + 6 bit DSD
I2S inputs
NOS processing option included
Twin FPGA in a dual mono configeration (the sound can be "tuned" just as PS Audio does)
Seperate transformers for both digital & analogue
DSD to 256 with a 512 board available end second quarter 2018
A Denafrips Music Server also using I2S out will be available end first quarter 2018
In the 6 Moons review it was compared directly to Metrum Hex & Aqua La Scala MKII
The review post script has a comment by the owner who compared the Terminator to numerous other name DACS
The review is here...
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/denafrips/1.html

[joeinid]

Any update on the Denafrips?

I have ordered a Denafrips Terminator & their yet to be released Music Server unseen & unheard. It/they tick all the right boxes for me...
26 bit R2R ladder processing + 6 bit DSD
I2S inputs
NOS processing option included
Twin FPGA in a dual mono configuration (the sound can be "tuned" just as PS Audio does)
Separate transformers for both digital & analogue
DSD to 256 with a 512 board available end second quarter 2018
A Denafrips Music Server also using I2S out will be available end first quarter 2018
In the 6 Moons review it was compared directly to Metrum Hex & Aqua La Scala MKII
The review post script has a comment by the owner who compared the Terminator to numerous other name DACS
The review is here...
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/denafrips/1.html

[Rob181]

Waiting on the Music Server to be completed...
Currently renovating...no room at the moment anyway...
So there is no great rush...

[joeinid]

Thank you

Waiting on the Music Server to be completed...
Currently renovating...no room at the moment anyway...
So there is no great rush...

[Kuoppis]

You should audition the Brinkmann Nyquist Joe, might be to your liking.


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[joeinid]

That looks like an awesome dac.

You should audition the Brinkmann Nyquist Joe, might be to your liking.


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[R S]

The Denafrips gets awesome write ups but it is quite an expensive leap of faith (seems good value relative to competition but a lot of $ to put down unheard). I cant see any reference to their music server so would be interested to learn more about that.

The Brinkmann Nyquist looks like a great bit of kit with excellent functionality to reduce box count. One of the things that bugs me about some DACs is lack of user friendliness (remote!! Maybe I am just lazy) and need for Roon endpoints. TotalDac now build in a server option to theirs which I think makes it interesting.

I have an Aqua La Scala II Opto which i really like (no remote or Roon endpoint either)

[Kuoppis]

The Brinkmann Nyquist looks like a great bit of kit with excellent functionality to reduce box count. One of the things that bugs me about some DACs is lack of user friendliness (remote!! Maybe I am just lazy) and need for Roon endpoints.

Apologies for deviating from the topic, but the Nyquist comes with a solid aluminum remote allowing control of gain, input, phase and mute. And beside the superb sound I just love the flexibility it offers in relation to formats and as a Roon Endpoint.

There’s however a whole separate thread about the product so I won’t further labor the point here.


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[R S]

Apologies for deviating from the topic, but the Nyquist comes with a solid aluminum remote allowing control of gain, input, phase and mute. And beside the superb sound I just love the flexibility it offers in relation to formats and as a Roon Endpoint.

There’s however a whole separate thread about the product so I won’t further labor the point here.


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Sorry, prior post wasn’t clear. I was commending the functionality of the Brinkmann versus others (including my own)!!



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[Kuoppis]

Sorry, prior post wasn’t clear. I was commending the functionality of the Brinkmann versus others (including my own)!!


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Not at all, I think your post was perfectly clear. And I think you have a good point.

I just posted a picture of it in the other thread:


In comparison, the remote of my previous DAC Meitner MA-1, which I did not use even once:


I agree a good DAC remote is necessary. With the Nyquist I frequently switch between the Roon Core feed through Ethernet and USB when I connect my PC for Amazon Prime or Netflix.


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[Randy Myers]

I have been wanting to try a PS Audio.

[jbtrio]

Hey Joe,

I have a PS Audio DAC with Redcloud. I just received a Denafrips Terminator only have about 40 hours burn-in. I think the PS Audio is more bloomy and warmer. The Terminator is starting to sound real good thou, much more dynamic (micro and macro) great prat and not edgy at all. I think I already like it better. Very natural tonal balance, it should only get better with more hours.

If you want to come for a listen let me know, I live in Staten Island, NY


Joe

[jadedavid]

Hey Joe,

I have a PS Audio DAC with Redcloud. I just received a Denafrips Terminator only have about 40 hours burn-in. I think the PS Audio is more bloomy and warmer. The Terminator is starting to sound real good thou, much more dynamic (micro and macro) great prat and not edgy at all. I think I already like it better. Very natural tonal balance, it should only get better with more hours.

If you want to come for a listen let me know, I live in Staten Island, NY


Joe

Thanks for sharing your impressions of these two DAC's.
They are both on my radar and I am interested in hearing about the differences.
Please keep us posted as you progress.

[alvin1118]

Hi guys,

I posted in another forum, but I thought I should share it here as well.

We have had someone in mind for months now but wanted to make sure that person was up to our standard of service. After a couple of repairs were done very well, we are happy to announce the US service center in Atlanta GA, Mike Powell Audio, a 15 year veteran in the Hifi industry with the background in modification and repair as well as design and manufacturing.

Henceforth, for US customers, you do not need to ship the faulty unit back to us. Mike offers 'white glove' courier service. All you need to do is to pack the unit back in its original packaging, tape it, and wait for the courier to pick up from your doorstep.

The turn around time is approx 1-2 weeks. Once fixed, the unit will be returned to you, door to door delivery.

Many thanks.

Sincerely,
Alvin @ Vinshine Audio

[nc42acc]

Ordered one today. I just couldn’t resist.

[nc42acc]

The Terminator arrived yesterday. Putting some hours on it at the office before carrying it home.

[alvin1118]

Looks good Marty!

[nc42acc]

Alvin thanks for the impeccable service.

Looks good Marty!

[CPP]

The Terminator arrived yesterday. Putting some hours on it at the office before carrying it home.

Turn it on, burn it in and give us some feedback Marty

[Randy Myers]

Hey Marty,

Have you compared it to your T+A? I would have a hard time believing anything in this range can compete with the DAC 8 DSD, especially if you are a DSD fan.

[nc42acc]

Randy it will be a week or so before I take it home to listen. I will post an update when I get it home.

Hey Marty,

Have you compared it to your T+A? I would have a hard time believing anything in this range can compete with the DAC 8 DSD, especially if you are a DSD fan.

[Randy Myers]

Ahhh, got ya ....

[alvin1118]

Alvin thanks for the impeccable service.

Most welcome sir, at your service

[jriggy]

Any thoughts between the Terminator and a Lampi Golden Atlantic?

[Skanda]

Not exactly sure how to subscribe to a thread...posting here so i get notified when new impressions come up - the denafrips seems like a beast

[audio.bill]

Not exactly sure how to subscribe to a thread...posting here so i get notified when new impressions come up - the denafrips seems like a beast

When you're logged in and viewing a thread, if you click on 'Thread Tools' in the thread header you can select 'Subscribe to this Thread'.

[nc42acc]

Well I have had time to go through four DACs and do some comparisons.
1. Denafrips Terminator: The most open, dynamic and transparent of any DAC I have had to date. Amazing realism with vocals like the artist is in the room. Bass dynamics and weight is off the charts compared to the rest. NOS mode and sending it DSD256 from Roon with a microRendu.
2. T&A DAC8: Very close to the Terminator but just cannot create the "you are there" realism. I am just feeding it DSD256 via Roon so this could change when I have the ability to send it DSD512. Stay tuned.
3. Holo Spring Level 3: Close behind the T&A but another level of less realism and dynamics. Does some things very well like the bass. Tried it with just USB and I2s with a Singxer. Also sending it DSD512 from Roon and using the NOS mode.
4. PS Audio Directstream: Scratching my head as this has a very different sound. Not going to put anything in writing until I try it with a few more inputs. I have been using the Bridge II for all my listening so far.

Remember this is how these sound in "MY" system and will greatly vary with different equipment and setups.