Denafrips Terminator dac ...

Update: I have decided not to keep the DAC. I got the Yggdrasil Analog 2 upgrade instead.

After my review I heard an Octave HP 300 SE preamp in my system. On some material my Pass B1 buffer (no gain) preamp has a slight synthetic and/or metallic coloration when driving my Octave RE 320 amp, which the Octave preamp does not have, easily audible in direct comparison. In the absence of this coloration it turns out that the Yggy 2 sounds more natural on some music, especially solo violin and string quartets. This is very important to me since I am a string quartet fan. I still think the Terminator is a great DAC that many will be happy with, but ultimately it's just not for me.

I will soon get an Octave HP 700 preamp, which I look forward to. It should be killer, given that the HP 300 SE is already so good.
 
Very interesting, Al.

How does the 2nd version compare to your original? I'd be keen to hear the Holo at that price point as well.
 
KeithR said:
Very interesting, Al.

How does the 2nd version compare to your original? I'd be keen to hear the Holo at that price point as well.
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Keith,

the version 2 may be a bit warmer sounding, but I didn't compare them on the Octave preamp, which would have told me more about fidelity of tone.

All I know is that on some recordings, through the Octave preamp, the Yggy 2 sounded with the most natural timbre from solo violin and string quartet that I have ever heard from digital (I haven't heard MSB yet). Beautifully wooden tone from violin in lower and middle register, and silvery but oh so sweet and delicate tone (when the music allowed) in the high register. The wooden tone from cello was stunning too. Transients seemed just right, micro detail from bowing, and from string and wood body resonances was excellent.

What is more, it was among the most natural tone from those instruments I have heard on any system, including vinyl based ones (and I have heard exquisite vinyl playback). It was quite something.

Until I have my own Octave preamp I listen to other music. Vocals for example sound great also through the Pass B1 buffer. On vocals though the Terminator was also fantastic competition to the Yggy 2.
 
Hello guys,


Like to share the users' impression of the DENAFRIPS DAC.

denafrips.com/news


I am extremely happy and encouraged to read these positive impressions. This is simply the best encouragement and drive for me to continue what i am doing and i will do better!




Thank you for your support!


Alvin Chee

 
I've owned the Terminator DAC since April and enjoyed the improvement it made over my Yggy A2. The Yggy is a great DAC and I think an excellent value. I still own it and use it in a secondary system. Compared to the Yggy, both connected over AES with a DH Labs D-110 cable from a Bryston BDP-2 with upgraded IAD, the Terminator has more detail and more texture in the bass. Otherwise, the sound is surprisingly similar, meaning the tonal balance and presentation are not too different. I've had other DACs in my system that had significantly different sound.

Earlier this week, I received my Denafrips Gaia DCC. I connected the Gaia directly to my Roon ROCK via USB (AQ Diamond), instead of using the Bryston streamer. Initially, I connected the Gaia to the Terminator using the same DH Labs AES cable. Having the Gaia in the system made a noticeable improvement in clarity and detail, but it wasn't dramatic. On Wednesday (only the second day), I plugged in a cheap 3ft HDMI i2s cable between the Gaia and the Terminator. Wow! After a few hours, this made a huge improvement. I'm blown away by the difference. And this is with a brand-new $12 cable. Significantly better clarity and detail, sharper imaging, and the bass (particularly mid bass) has more weight and texture. It's hard to stop listening.

I've now got a Tubulus Argentus i2s cable on order. Can't wait to hear what this does.
 
I too am interested in the Terminator. A question for comparative reviewers in this thread. How did you match levels when comparing these DAC’s? What tools and procedures did you use? Just curious.
 
W9TR said:
I too am interested in the Terminator. A question for comparative reviewers in this thread. How did you match levels when comparing these DAC’s? What tools and procedures did you use? Just curious.
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They also have a Terminator - Plus, from what I read a major overall of the older Terminator.
 
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