Right up the Ares II

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George Hincapie
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Fretless wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:30 am It is a rather complicated procedure ..... :doh:

..... but the accompanying step-by-step guide from Vinshine is very clear. and helpful. :dance:

The process involves downloading 3 separate files:
1) Thesycon USB driver
2) Windows configuration tool
3) Firmware update tool.

Windows 10 has problems with 'unsigned' files so the PC has to be restarted in Troubleshooting mode to disable that.

Following the Vinshine guide and trying not to get nervous ( :angry-screaming: ) eventually gave a result and the DAC firmware was updated.
:happy-cheerleaderkid:

The USB receiver now has a new name so needs to be reselected on the PC, and then there is music!

:music-listen:

First listen has a ' Wow!' moment as there is noticeably more definition and resolution in the soundfield.

The best just got better! :banana-wrench:
Well done! I am pleased you're happy with it.
These users thanked the author George Hincapie for the post:
Fretless (Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:04 pm)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3

Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

Power
Farad • Tomanek

Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz

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George Hincapie
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by George Hincapie »

I've bought an Ares II 12th Anniversary Edition as an emergency DAC to tide me over until I decide which TOTL DAC to go for next. It arrived from Singapore yesterday. This is the second Ares II I've owned, the first took a month of burn in before sounding good. I left the new one playing a Roon stream for 4-5 hrs last night, popped my headphones on and sat stunned for the next 3 hours, listening to CDs on my AudioLab CDT and streamed files from Roon. It sounds amazing. Unbelievably good. I don't even have the superlatives to articulate my experience. Just...WTF?!

Streaming chain:

Roon Nucleus > Ethernet > Ubiquiti Switch > Optical > Media Converter > Ethernet > Pi4 Ropieee > USB > Denafrips Iris > I2S > Denafrips Ares II 12th > RCA > LTA MZ3 > ZMF VC and Arya Stealth

CDT chain:

AudioLab 6000CDT > SPDIF Coax > Denafrips Ares II 12th > RCA > LTA MZ3 > ZMF VC and Arya Stealth

The FPGA update is a game changer. For real. The Ares II was already a 'bang for buck' champion; it's just been elevated into the stratosphere. I really can't believe what I am hearing. Stunning.

Image

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These users thanked the author George Hincapie for the post (total 3):
Fretless (Tue Mar 28, 2023 11:14 am) • Latteman (Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:15 pm) • antonio66 (Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:21 am)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3

Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

Power
Farad • Tomanek

Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz

NSNO2021
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by NSNO2021 »

I finally got my act together and upgraded my Pontus2 to the latest/greatest v1.4 code and first impressions are it's a noticeable change.
I haven't heard enough to be able to completely articulate what's different, bass is the most obvious, timing overall seems better, I have not detected any real change in the vocals I have heard but it's still early days
These users thanked the author NSNO2021 for the post (total 2):
Fretless (Sat Jun 17, 2023 8:25 am) • George Hincapie (Sun Jun 18, 2023 11:09 am)
Modified Airlink BPS 3110S with LDA DC filter
TTs, Kenwood KD 8030 with AT OC9XSH, Opera Consonance Wax Engine mk2 with modified Apheta 2 MC cart, PT TOO awaiting restoration.
LDA MCJ3 phono,Schiit Freya plus pre amp, NAD M23, Audiolab 9000 CD transport, Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC, Mano Ultra2 streamer, Cisco switch, Audio Technica ATH 70 cans, Serhan Swift Mu2 mk2 speakers & NSNO W48.5 speaker cables

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Fretless
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by Fretless »

Takes a while for the full effect - give it some burn-in time.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

NSNO2021
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by NSNO2021 »

Hello Fret, I am already more than happy so if there's more to come then that's the icing on the proverbial cake 🤞
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Fretless (Sat Jun 17, 2023 11:04 pm)
Modified Airlink BPS 3110S with LDA DC filter
TTs, Kenwood KD 8030 with AT OC9XSH, Opera Consonance Wax Engine mk2 with modified Apheta 2 MC cart, PT TOO awaiting restoration.
LDA MCJ3 phono,Schiit Freya plus pre amp, NAD M23, Audiolab 9000 CD transport, Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC, Mano Ultra2 streamer, Cisco switch, Audio Technica ATH 70 cans, Serhan Swift Mu2 mk2 speakers & NSNO W48.5 speaker cables

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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by Fretless »

Just done the newest firmware update on the Ares II to version 1.8.

First listen reveals an increased authority and grip on the music with a silky-smooth solidity.

Hell's teeth - what a DAC !

:dance:
These users thanked the author Fretless for the post (total 3):
Bencat57 (Sun Jul 23, 2023 1:07 pm) • antonio66 (Sun Jul 23, 2023 1:56 pm) • George Hincapie (Sun Jul 23, 2023 10:04 pm)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

User avatar
George Hincapie
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by George Hincapie »

It is a beautiful thing!
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3

Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

Power
Farad • Tomanek

Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz

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Firebug1
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Re: Right up the Ares II

Unread post by Firebug1 »

Metal up your Ares II :character-beavisbutthead: I have had Ares II some months now, and like it very much. In standard form it was better than my previous dac's (Cambridge audio dacmacig 100 and Shciit modius). Soundstage is more open, which is nice, as I listen via Audeze LCD 2 closed headphones, they sound more open than before. Last week I got time and courage for software upgrade, which went nicely, after restling with Win urge to stop using unknown source for install drivers etc. I haven't done lot of listening with new software but it feels to give bit more depth and grunt instrument's like bass, synth and kick drun. Vocalist has more presence on his\her voice than before. Very happy with this unit now and it probably gets better with decent burn in.
These users thanked the author Firebug1 for the post (total 2):
Fretless (Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:56 pm) • George Hincapie (Sun Nov 19, 2023 7:52 pm)
Rega by Michael Lim\Teac\ASR\NVA\
SA Mantra30\Audeze LCD-2 closed.
...the Gods you worship are steel, at the altar of rock 'n' roll you kneel...

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