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Headphone-Zone-DENAFRIPS-Ares 12th-1
Headphone-Zone-DENAFRIPS-Ares 12th-1
Headphone-Zone-DENAFRIPS-Ares 12th-1
Denafrips

DENAFRIPS - Ares 12th-1

Desktop R-2R Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)
Sale price₹ 114,999 Regular priceMRP: ₹ 129,999
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Why DENAFRIPS is Special

🇨🇳

Designed in China
Established & Reputed

Trust us, our reputation in the audio world speaks for itself!


This headphone or gear comes from a well-respected brand known for its high-quality audio equipment, so you can be confident in your purchase.


If you see a product marked as “🎖️ Established & Reputed”, it means you're getting a top-tier device from a brand that's earned its stripes in the audio industry.
Specialist

A masterpiece from the experts who know audio inside and out!


This headphone or gear is crafted by specialists who know their stuff, ensuring every detail is perfect.


If you see a product marked as “🌟 Specialist”, it means you're choosing a device designed by experts who specialize in creating this specific category of device.
🐣

Born in 2012

Why we love this DAC/Amp

Premium Economy

Sensible spending and class above in quality. 


This headphone or gear offers top-notch sound and performance without much impact on your pocket, promising a delightful experience that exceeds your expectations at an economical price point.


If you see a product marked as “💎 Premium Economy," it indicates that you're getting a high-quality audio product with exceptional sound clarity and reliable performance, all at a budget-friendly price.

Serious Audiophiles Only

Diving deeper into exploring the hobby is never enough.


If you're an audiophile on a hunt for a device that meets your high standards, this is one such headphone or gear designed for discerning audiophiles like you in mind.


If you see a product marked with “🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" we assure you that this device can match your depth of knowledge and expertise to take your passion for audio to the next level.
Audiophile Community Favourite

This headphone or gear has a seal of approval from our audiophile community.


It is hit among the pickiest of audio enthusiasts. It comes with two thumbs up and is the community’s and one of our favourites.


If you see a product marked as “🦋 Audiophile Community Favourite”, you're in for a sonic treat with top-tier sound quality that will make your ears swoon and elevate your listening experience to new heights!
Incredibly Popular

Some things deserve all the attention.


This headphone or gear is a crowd favourite, winning over fans everywhere with its undeniable audio quality.


If you see products marked as “🥇 Incredibly Popular”, you’re opting for a tried-and-true choice that’s loved by many, ensuring you're getting something that’s proven to be awesome and widely acclaimed.
Our Team's Favourite

Cause after all, we are audiophiles first!


This headphone or gear has won the hearts of our team, standing out as a top pick among our gurus.


If you see products marked as “💙 Our Team’s Favourite”, you're choosing a product that’s been tested, loved, and enthusiastically recommended by our team, giving you confidence that it’s a standout choice!
For Audiophiles at Home

Cause music hit differently when you are in your own space.


This headphone or gear is perfect for those who demand exceptional sound quality in their personal sanctuary.


If you see products marked as “🏠 For Audiophiles at Home”, get ready to transform your living space into an audiophile's paradise, with rich, immersive sound that makes every listening session a masterpiece.
Connect With Cable

This device comes with multiple connectivity options. Be sure to check if your source and output support these input and output options.
Built like a Tank

No need to worry about durability.


If you're seeking a headphone or gear with a strong, rugged build, this snapshot indicates that this is the one for you.


If you see a product marked with “🪖 Built like a Tank", it means this product is crafted with metal in its design, ensuring exceptional robustness and durability.

Why it Sounds Amazing

DAC Chip

Know the secret to your pristine audio.


This headphone or gear reveals the secret sauce behind superior audio quality, highlighting the presence of a high-performance DAC chip for pristine sound reproduction.


If you see products marked as “⚙️ DAC Chip”, expect to experience your music with unparalleled clarity, detail, and fidelity, ensuring that every note and nuance is faithfully reproduced for your listening pleasure.
Balanced Output

Upgrading from single-ended to balanced can be the easiest way to improve your sound.


This DAC, Amp or Hi-Res player offers a balanced output, ensuring pristine audio quality with minimised interference and enhanced clarity for your listening pleasure.


If you see a product marked as "⚖️ Balanced Output”, get ready for a symphony of crystal-clear tunes, free from any unwanted noise drama!
Sampling Rate And Bit Depth

Ever wonder how those ones and zeros on your computer magically transform into the rich melodies that fill your room?


The secret lies in a tiny device called a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Think of it as a translator, taking the digital code of your music and meticulously sculpting it back into a smooth, analog wave that your speakers can understand. But just like a sculptor needs the right tools, achieving audio nirvana with a DAC depends on two key factors: sampling rate and bit depth.


Sampling Rate:

Imagine your favourite song as a complex rollercoaster track. The sampling rate refers to how often the DAC takes measurements of this digital track, measured in kHz (kilohertz) or thousands of times per second. A higher sampling rate, like 96 kHz, is like taking a ton of pictures of the track, capturing every twist and turn with incredible detail. Lower rates, like the standard 44.1 kHz used in CDs, are like taking snapshots at a theme park – fun, but you might miss some of the subtler details that make the ride truly exhilarating.


Bit Depth:

Now, think about the sculptor's tools. Bit depth refers to the precision of each measurement the DAC takes. Imagine the number of colours available to the sculptor. With higher bit depth (e.g., 24 bits compared to 16 bits), each measurement can capture a wider range of values. This allows the DAC to recreate subtler variations in the sound wave, resulting in richer and more nuanced audio. It's like having a broader colour palette for building a more detailed and lifelike sculpture of the sound.

DENAFRIPS CELEBRATES 12 YEARS OF AUDIO EXCELLENCE WITH THE RELEASE OF ARES 12TH-1

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in the picturesque city of Guangzhou, DENAFRIPS specialises in crafting high-end audio equipment. Their core belief is that top-tier audio gear need not carry a hefty price tag. With a product range dedicated to audio excellence, DENAFRIPS has garnered a devoted following among audiophiles. Their line of R-2R DACs has received significant acclaim in the industry. DENAFRIPS offers an array of audio equipment, including DACs, DDCs, Pre-amplifiers, Power Amplifiers, and Headphone Amplifiers. Since their introduction, their DACs have made waves in the high-end audio world. Marking 12 years of exceptional expertise in digital audio, the Ares 12th-1 Anniversary Edition embodies coveted features like I²S input, a newly designed anodised aluminium chassis, and several performance enhancements. If you're a music enthusiast seeking high-quality, expressive, and analogue-like sound, the Ares 12th-1 DAC is an essential addition to your audio system.
12th-Anniversary

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PRESENTING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND UPGRADED DAC - THE ARES 12TH-1

For several years, DENAFRIPS has been renowned for its development and design of R-2R DACs. The Ares II, now named the Enyo, gained significant acclaim in the audiophile community for its purely analogue sound. Building on this success, DENAFRIPS has reimagined the Ares 12th-1, adding the convenience of connectivity to DENAFRIPS DDC (Digital-to-Digital Converter) and compatible I²S transports, enabling you to leverage the benefits of the I²S connection. The Ares 12th-1 operates as a non-oversampling R-2R DAC, ensuring the incoming signal maintains its original sampling rate without additional processing. As a genuine NOS (Non-Oversampling) DAC, the Ares 12th-1 remains committed to preserving the audio signal's integrity without alteration. If you value high-quality, emotive, and analogue-like sound in your music, the Ares 12th-1 DAC could be a pivotal component in your stereo audio setup.

TRUE BALANCED R-2R ARCHITECTURE & UPDATED INTERNALS FOR PURE ANALOGUE SOUND

The DENAFRIPS Ares 12th-1 incorporates an exclusive Balanced R-2R + 6-bit DSD architecture, offering a pure and organic audio experience. It supports up to 24-Bit/1536KHz, native DSD1024 (Direct Stream Digital), and PCM1536 (Pulse Code Modulation), making it a Digital To Analogue Converter with an R-2R DAC and discrete resistors. A notable addition is the customised AC mains power socket, designed in-house using UPOCC gold-plated copper, emphasising the importance of high-quality power supply for superior sound. The Ares 12th-1 features a non-switched AC mains socket and is further enhanced by a 60VA O-Core Shielded Transformer, also crafted in-house with UPOCC copper. This oversized transformer ensures a stable and ample power supply to the DAC's multi-stage linear power system, enhancing its overall performance.
DSD

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CUTTING EDGE ENGINEERING WITH HAND-MATCHED RESISTORS & FPGA SIGNAL PROCESSING

An essential element in the R-2R DAC architecture is the utilisation of ultra-precise resistors. In the DENAFRIPS Ares 12th-1, these resistors are of the highest quality, boasting 0.01% high precision, and they undergo a meticulous manufacturing process that incurs additional costs, contributing to the DAC's advanced technology. Each of these resistors is handpicked, methodically matched through precision machining, and verified by human oversight to meet stringent quality standards and exhibit minimal thermal impact. A total of 480 of these precision resistors work in harmony to deliver a remarkably musical listening experience. The Ares 12th-1 employs an Altera FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for its Digital Signal Processing, offering an unparalleled musical journey.

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ENHANCED LINEAR POWER SUPPLY FUSED WITH LINEAR REGULATORS DELIVER JITTER-FREE AUDIO

The DENAFRIPS Ares 12th-1 showcases an enhanced Linear Power Supply section, now integrated with a capacitors bank that bears the 'DENAFRIPS' brand, all manufactured according to DENAFRIPS' precise audio specifications. Alongside the constant current LDO Linear Regulators, a substantial heatsink is securely affixed. To cater to the power needs of the FPGA, modular USB module, and balanced R-2R Ladder Networks, eight multi-stage LDO Linear Regulators are deployed. Within this device, DENAFRIPS takes the extra step of hand-winding the oversized O-Core transformer, meticulously including multiple layers of copper shielding between the windings. This particular design choice effectively reduces both electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic fields (EMF).

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EXPERTLY DESIGNED TO BE SCALABLE WITH THOUGHTFULLY IMPLEMENTED INPUTS & OUTPUTS

The DENAFRIPS Ares 12th-1 now boasts an anodised aluminium chassis available in both silver and black colour options, catering to those who prefer a more compact DAC with a silver finish. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Ares 12th-1 enhances the already impressive build quality of the Ares 12th. This new iteration includes an I²S input and has undergone a redesign of both the back and front panels. The I²S connection enables compatibility with the DENAFRIPS DDC (Digital To Digital Converter) and other I²S transport options. The front panel incorporates input selection buttons for USB, COAX, OPT, I2S, OS/NOS, Phase, and Mute. Meanwhile, the rear panel has been upgraded to offer XLR and RCA as analogue outputs and Coax, Optical, I2S, and USB as inputs, providing increased flexibility for the Ares 12th-1.

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1 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this DENAFRIPS - Ares 12th-1 comes with a 1 Year warranty from Denafrips that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Denafrips's warranty in India.

Crafting Exquisite Soundscapes for Audiophiles

Denafrips incorporated in the year 2012, focuses on developing high-end audio equipment at a very affordable price. Through the years of intense Research & Development and continuous improvement, Denafrips has finally settled with their product range which is equipped with R-2R ladder DAC technology. The reason behind this direction is that the team at Denafrips strongly believe that the R-2R DAC technology is the best way to reproduce music.Among their line-up of high-quality equipment, Denafrips DACs have gained a massive following for their distinct sound and are adopted by many.

Fun fact:The name, Denafrips, stand for D-ynamic, E-xquisite, N-atural, A-ttractive, F-idelity, R-efined, I-ntoxicating, P-ure, S-ophisticated - This means a lot to the team, and it is the house sound of Denafrips products.

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Our customer support is available Monday to Saturday: 10am - 7pm.Average answer time: 2-3 hours

Customer Reviews

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murali krishna (Vijayawada)
Thank you Headphonezone and Vinshine audio

No words to describe the beauty of listening to Denafrips Ares 12th-1DAC. Listening to the all genres of music continuously (non stop) and never I was engaged so profoundly into music.Actually my listening room size is 12><7 (office) and the source is Shanling ET3 CD Transport , WiiM Mini Streamer and FIIO X5 Third Gen High Res DAP along with SMSL DA 09 Class D amp with the MICCA Rb42 Speakers. With the available audio equipment I believe I have not exploited the fullest capabilities of the Denafrips Ares 12 -1 DAC.I have only used the Optical and Coaxial outputs of DAC not yet explored the most popular I2s and USB outputs. Configuration of both USB and I2s functionality is a bit cumbersome so for the time being I have avoided those modes. So far so good.Vinshine team is so courteous to respond to all my silly and petty doubts. I once again thank Mr Raghav and the team of experts of Headphonezone without whose help and support I wouldn’t have had this majestic audio equipment and thereby the joy of listening to them. I recommend this masterpiece of equipment for all audiophiles. After configuring both USB and I2S modes I once again review this beautiful DAC. Good Luck.

User picture User picture User picture

Hey Murali, thank you so much for the amazing feedback! It means a lot to us. We are so happy to hear that you are loving our products and services.

S
Sunil M (Bengaluru)
Awesome

It's a very nice musical DAC and allows to hear music for long sessions and does not hurt your ears. Balanced and rich organic vocals.

Hey there, thank you for your lovely review!

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