15 Years of Craft: DENAFRIPS Ares 15th Reaches the Top

The video is in Arabic.

Hey everyone,

Does the DENAFRIPS Ares 15th DAC deserve me calling it the best so far? Thanks to DENAFRIPS for sending it for review. Before the review went out, the IEM WORLD store became DENAFRIPS’s official distributor in Saudi Arabia, so I was strict in my testing: two full months of tests.

It’s an R2R DAC that supports PCM up to 1536 kHz over USB, and the other inputs (I2S, coaxial and optical) up to 24 bit 192 kHz. Output is 2 volts on RCA and 4 volts on XLR, dynamic range is 119 dB, and crosstalk is -110 dB according to the company, with an internal linear power supply. The official price at the time of the review was $1199 (about 4500 riyals).

Who is it for?

• Anyone shopping in the $1200 class who wants balanced performance: 50% musical and 50% technical.

Strengths

• The biggest soundstage I’ve heard from any source: with the HEDDphone TWO (my main test headphone) it grew by at least 30%.
• Layering, clarity and the 3D feel are the best of all my experiences.
• It clearly improves imaging precision and separation.
• It brings out the finest details: I heard new notes in tracks I listen to every day.
• The best bass for me: exceptional air and scary low extension, without adding quantity.
• The mids are balanced and natural with no aggressive peaks, and the treble is airy and sparkly.
• It responds well to additions (like a streamer) and performs better with them.
• It convinced me to let go of my previous unit with all its chips, so I bought it and it became my main DAC.

Weaknesses

• Non-USB inputs support lower resolutions (PCM up to 24 bit 192 kHz, and DSD64 via DoP).
• It comes without a remote, and the remote is sold separately for about $80.
• It’s not forgiving of weak recordings: I don’t recommend it if you listen from YouTube.
• Very sensitive to cables: without decent cables you’ll be doing it an injustice.
• The treble sparkle is close to the edge and might bother sensitive ears with a bright headphone.

Verdict

People who’ve tried it pretty much agree it’s the best at its price, and some compare it to $2000 units. The only rival, according to people who’ve tried both, is the Holo Audio Spring 2, but that one leans more musical.

Disclosure: IEM WORLD is an official distributor for DENAFRIPS.

Note: this review is from 2025, so the price may have changed.

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