The Pontus II is a large step up from the Ares II in sound quality. I also use a Streambox S2 Ultra. Other suggestions are to add an Audioquest Jitterbug noise filter on the USB output from your Streambox.. The best sounding USB cable I've found is a Phasure Lush. I have the original without the custom configurations. It was both smoother in sound as well as more detailed than the Shunyata Venom USB cable and several other cheaper USB cables.
Better R2R DAC Recommendation?
I’m new to digital after being vinyl only forever and am enjoying my Denafrips Ares 2 streamed from a Project Streambox S2 Ultra using Audirvana. Of course since I’m enjoying it, I need something even better... it’s a hobby after all.
I’d like to spend no more than $2k on the used market. Anyone have a favorite R2R?