A Film Appraisal : Denafrips Venus II DAC 

There is something simple and mathematical about that track which is why I like it and such electronic music. Maybe what a modern day Bach would have been writing if he had synthesisers .

@@13thnotehifireviews7 great analogy, funny how nostalgia colors perception

Vangelis music laways bring me back to Blade Runner .Great film and music

@@13thnotehifireviews7 funny tho, Wendy Carlos the early electronic music pioneer and composer of A Clockwork Orange soundtrack did make an album called Well-Tempered Synthesizer which is based on Bach compositions played on synths

S. Özgür ÖYÜŞ I love that soundtrack . Tremendous

Thanks very much Richard

Thank you very much Scott. Glad you liked it!

Thank you, so kind. I’m getting lots of comments like this. I buzz of production side of it. Want to improve presenting a bit, maybe lots to do with not looking at yourself. Hardest part I think, the production just takes time and effort!

Thanks very much Anthony.

Thanks very much for saying. Appreciated very much to get good feedback.

Thanks Michael very much. Sound tonally a really lush combo. See my one on your MA’s if you missed it. Will be using in other reviews as I’ll have them for a while. Think possibly about an nuc if you ditch the nucleus as that’s all it is, if you didn’t know. Just an idea. 😀👍👌

@@13thnotehifireviews7 you are welcome Simon! Yes, I will check out your MA Gold 100 review. On the roon, I was initially looking into a nuc but came across a fantastic deal on almost new 2tb SSD Nucleus with Farad super3 LPS on US audio.

Thanks Sean for supporting positive praise, as ever. I’m doing one on the best of 2020 hifi I reviewed next week. Then more for beginners on how to choose and pick hifi and avoid pitfalls, starting with DACs. Best off one should be a lot easier - phew, as I’ll clip all the intro segments together and over dub it. Will stick some more album recommendations in.

Thank you

Thanks for saying Anton, and nice to hear from you again. Check out some of my other videos I've done on the NAD M10 and KEF Ls50 since you've been 'away'. On the off chance you are near me and in the UK (or if you visit) you are welcome round to check out any gear I have. In fact I welcome it as it often allows me to hear others peoples hifi they bring around.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 That's a very kind and generous offer Simon. Thank you. Please note I never went 'away', I just didn't comment on your last two videos (which I have of course watched, thumbed-up and enjoyed already!)

Oh ok, thanks very much. Glad you are enjoying them Anton. Gonna do more of what Tarun does and advice guides as I think that’s popular. Always open to suggestions. One on DACs first, as a kind of pitfalls / beginners video, but doing a best of 2020 before that, as that’s popular too and I can use clips from previous videos as the last two videos have been a three week slog. Phew!

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Keep on grinding Simon. The quality of your videos in terms of production has grown exponentially and a wider audience awaits.. Equally, watching one of your films is NOT like watching a fifteen minute advertisement which I think gives you a unique edge. Too much product shilling on this platform! I, like most, want to hear an enthusiast's opinion, not a manufacturers!

Thanks for encouragement Anton, means a lot. Definetely production is very important and I’ve learnt so much using Adobe after effects. Also I do think you are right about that edge. I’m always trying to improve on the presenting but there is an element of not liking myself in front of the camera. Need to make it more natural. It is frustrating that I haven’t got more followers and I’m still not sure if people want more balanced honesty but with fairness to hifi firms too.

Thank you Robert. I would also check out my Holo Audio DAC review I just did recently. I’ve never really believed in much , if any, electronic burn in.

I’d recommend holo audio over these denafrips Dacs now

Thank you very much Gildas. Have been there and love skiing in France and Europe. Particularly Les Arcs in France, and love Verbier in Switzerland and Zell Am See in Austria. I worked in Austria for a few months and got seriously good as I was able to ski everyday. One thing really bad about the U.K, no real skiing. Hifi is almost as good. Lol.

In a manner of speaking that’s what I said. You can’t expect them to sound better if the difference is so small to not be discernible . Always apply hifi to your experience first , technicality second, because we can see how being so precise here to technicality can then get us into difficulty in making something better when it may not be. Add in different systems, components and ears and even more variance.

Thank you. Not that I’m aware of

@@13thnotehifireviews7 there is a big difference between the Original DSP board and the upgraded one, I owned the pontus and the board made it beautiful.... I think they share the same boards.

Good to know and that you prefer that type of sound. Enjoy.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I assume your Venus must sound incredible.

Yes, relaxing.

I had Qutest and said no way Ares II could beat it! I was wrong. Now upgrading to Pontus II. I will move Ares II to my smaller system. When I put Qutest be back in my system felt like shutting system down and not listening!😆

Thanks Patrick. See description. I’m helping out those people who invest in my project beyond what I say in vids - PayPal or patreon. You get my honesty free in vids but as I’m giving good consumer advice, I need support. Thanks. Please sign up as I’m gonna be doing more articles and vids for patreon on those who support me there. Also tou can pick my brains in full.

OK

@@patrickctleung8555 I own Qutest and Ares II and while Qutest has a bit more resolution Ares II is more enjoyable to listen to. I am upgrading to Pontus II soon!

Good Question. I'm hoping to compare it to the Terminator later in the year, so watch this space.

Thanks so much Mike , I’m responding to these on patreon and PayPal now. Regards Simon

thank you…..but….I decided to give this up after running off reviews. One reason is people expect free advice.

Thank you very much for kind words. No it’s not a bottleneck - definitely not.What HiFi had it with atc scm50 speakers and not being “out of place” and I can see why (see their written review). A lot of the reviews might say it has some edgy treble being a cheaper product, which often gets said to explain it as not competing with more expensive products, and it is true to some degree, but it’s a question of how much for the price....very little change. I ran it into the Denafrips as a Roon end point and it’s awesome. You really don’t need to spend lots on a good transport - as a dac it’s nowhere near as good, but as a transport into a dac, another thing. I sound like a broken record on this but it is so true and why if I do review more streamers I will make a point of asking for ones with good DACs like the Cambridge audio products. Ps I know someone who runs one into a chord Dave and he doesn’t want to try ‘better’ streamer transports. Innuos is better from the hard drive which is where it comes into its own - see my node 2i video. But the innuos is smoother playing from internet with linear power supplies and not as dynamically incisive as the node 2i. I actually use the node as an end point from internet streaming services and when I can run the innuos usb output into a Roon ready dac like the Qutest, I play off the innuos hard drive, where it does make a case for better sound as I say. Cheers Simon

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks Simon for that detailed reply. Much appreciated. My doubt about using the Bluesound as a transport only vs moving up the ranks to something like a Lumin/Auralic/Naim comes from reading too much from other experts and community feedback. Most believe that the output stage on the Bluesound is just not at the same level. Hence my question. So appreciate your insight and experience on the matter. Your feedback on the Innuos is something I haven't heard expressed in the same manner, so delighted to hear that, and the feedback on the comparison.

Others only say that because they own it. There is a lot of egos in hifi. Sometimes products compete with cheaper products and this is a case in point.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks Simon. I have had the Node 2i for over a year now, and I think Bluesound have made some improvements to the sound over the last year. Even with my expensive gear (Naim XS2 and Scansonic MB5B'S) it sounds fabulous. I use it over WiFi (have a good mesh network) and have not really noticed any real difference in sound quality. Thanks again for your feedback and expertise. Nothing beats experience.

Thank you very much Mobile Man, that’s greatly appreciated . If you send me a message on patreon we can chat in depth or however much you like 😀👌👍

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Done!!

See the message I just sent you John.bw simon

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I am using a jays audio Cdt2 into a Qutest, and into a Kinki Studio ex-M1 and into a set of Ellis Audio 1801b 2 way floor standing speakers. Qutest is good, bit does not bllow me away with detail, and I would like more.:) Who doesn't!

I was going to say if you like detail you might be able to get yourself a really good price Mytek Brooklyn + DAC. They just announced a new range making the Brooklyn plus obsolete (still supported) but you might find new ones kicking around at really good prices. It has a really good midrange and lots of airy treble . It is more detailed than the Qutest. If you want to get more detail and a little more relaxed then the tt2 is definitely that way. So is the Venus II. The Venus is Not massively more detailed compared to the Qutest but it is more about tone and depth to the sound. The Hugo tt2 has a thicker bass to the Qutest, is more dynamic and detailed by a bigger step. It’s a bit more hifi sounding if that makes sense ie accuracy with the bass. The chord Dave is really detailed without the thickness of the tt2, but that’s a lot of money. I think achieving really good detail and tone is what the really expensive DACs like the dCS do. The Dave being detail without tone. That’s from my experiences so far.

One option too John is have you tried changing cables on your power amp. Additional current delivery can lend itself to the amp giving more. I once did that and it gave too much when I tried some Titan audio Helios cables. A cheaper solution. Another obvious option is to consider the amplifier in the mix too, more power lends itself to lower volume more detailed listening and speakers working more effectively. Hegel integrated amps are the ones I can recommend. The Qutest is a very good detailed dac and think of it that as you improve the dac, to something like a tt2, the amp has to improve too.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I have added a Supra power cable to the amp, which itself sounds very similar to a simaudio moon amp. I don't need the attack level of the Qutest, but merely better instrument separation, which is where I thought the Venus II would be good. What do you think?

Thank you. Distributor is willow tree audio but I think you can import and buy direct still.

I would recommend the Holo Audio DACs over the ones from Denafrips now. The people at the EU distributor is easier to deal with imo (so is Jeff Zu of Holo Audio) than Alvin Chee of Vinshine Audio (denafrips worldwide distributor), plus the DACs are more precise and technically more accomplished imo and better made too with nicer casework. Also it’s impossible to try more products from a brand like Denafrips when you don’t think they are as competitive now.

I don’t think it’s comparable really.

I suppose that is the benefit of buying in the U.K. Jim, I doubt it would go wrong though. Importing it’s gonna be around £2500 I think with vat? If that’s right, but I’ve never imported anything tbh.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 It's the customs fees that will gouge us if we import. At least with willowtreeaudio I have the assurance of a three year guarantee and no return fees to Singapore - £200. Ouch.

I remember doing it with a video camera 15-20 years ago . Thinking I’d saved loads of money, pleased as punch I was then the bill came through and it wasn’t so much of a saving after all.dooohhh! Lol.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I know. It's not worth importing, especially now Brexit has happened and we get charged import duty on EU stuff as well.

I’m based in the UK. You can get it for £2300 with postage included but you’d need to pay a little for import fees like I have. I’ve bought two denafrips products both have cost hundreds less than from willow tree audio. Vinshine audio will declare the item as low cost to minimise import fees.

Yes it is simple but really lovely melody , called Chung Kuo off the China album rip Vangelis

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you!

No it isn’t. Dac in H390 is equitable to a chord Qutest.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 hello Simon, how much does the difference between Hegel internal DAC and the Venus jump at you? or you have to listen really carefully to see it?

The Venus is pretty obvious

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks very much, to put your "pretty obvious" into perspective: since I have both H190 and H390 and H190 DAC is same as H120 that you have>>> how do you compare the difference between H390 and Venus with the difference between DACS in H120 and H390?

Please ask questions on patreon where I can help

Pen drive folder type. The way you are set by the tree structure of the drive only

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I see. Thanks. But doesn't it relate to a software, rather than to a hardware? I use Plex on Linux with a library on a software RAID disks, and I'm happy. It would be nice to understand that limitation you've told about.

I go off the sound mainly and rate to my other experiences , that way I’m less inclined to bias from Specs and components. Also how would that matter if the experience is poorer , assuming to be the case, which it isn’t. How do you rate all the components of one product against all those of another to draw reliable inferences of how they will sound and the quality of the sound from that? That’s why I don’t labour tech component features unless adds genuine interest / differentiation. Also I can’t remember how easy it was to take off the lid.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I partially agree that a device should be evaluated on a listening test only. But you can't listen to all audio content ever created. So, a good listening impression and also a knowledge that a device was engineered good will assure that you will enjoy it for long.

@@kamertonaudiophileplayer847 I'd point out that I'm not listening to ALL audio products ever created. Obviously that's impossible, but I'm relating products I do listen to and comparing quality. Most of them are designed and engineered and obviously you can tell with many they haven't just been bolted in.

I love that track deep in it by st Germain, which I always play if I’m feeling really good.

I suppose there is value for money and price. I don’t tend to review gear at that price, but I should....I did try with ifi but maybe because of the price, a sale and return buy is the best bet for you...

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I understand, its just a little strange that a DAC/AMp with its features, sound and build to price ratio has missed your spotlight.....

Yeah, there are so many where that’s probably true. I do about 30-40 reviews a year and each one can take a week or two . Think how many products there are, then you’ll understand from my point if view.....

The one that made me laugh from someone else and made me think WTF was ”bass below the belt” . Hard to get the bass up I was thinking. Lol. 😂😂😀😀

@@13thnotehifireviews7 semi bass 😂

Just flacid bass.

Thanks very much, I think it depends on what you listen to as well. Overall I wasn’t left with the impression that it is slow, it is an all rounder and it copes well with fast electronic. I definitely think it favours more acoustic and classical music with its tone , something like a hugo tt2 from chord is a bit leaner but faster, but it is a lot more expensive too.

@@13thnotehifireviews7 All right thanks

Snooker is 125

@@13thnotehifireviews7 No shit, respect!

Charles Birchall use same type of cue Ronnie O’Sullivan does, made by a guy called John Paris

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I got one too an ambassador just the plain ebony butt plays like a dream

@@wakaya I went to his shop in Forest Hill and got one made based on my own old power glide cue. Had it 10-15 years. Not sure what wood it is but with a green splice. I think in this video. I went for the middle model of the three non off the shelf special made range. I think it was about £600 but i bet it’s over double that now. I wanted one made like Stephen hendry’s Rex Williams powerglide connoisseur, he used to win his titles, as I love the splicing of that cue.

Not everyone buys actives and often a similar priced active system is as good as the passive amp combo variant. Not with those ATC’s I don’t think. At the end of the day we should all look at hifi not just through the prism of our own experiences but what others think too. There are many many ways to achieve the same result in hifi! 😀👍

That’s why you can have the option of subscribing to Patreon for ad free videos. #wehavetotryandmakealivingsomehow