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MHDT Orchid v Denafrips Pontus

I've had an Orchid in my system for going on 3 years now. It's a great DAC, does exactly what I bought it for, which is present music in a natural, non-fatiguing way. I've tube rolled with it, used a couple of different digital cables, one of which did provide slightly more detail (Audio Art D-1SE2). I'm Denafrips curious though and would like to see if someone has had both. From reviews, I'm wondering if the Pontus would keep all of that R2R goodness and present more detail than the Orchid. Thanks!

audiewww
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,784 posts
 

Grannyring modified my Orchid and it opened up and got a bit quicker. I'm doing a shoot out with it vs. Holo Audio May this Sunday. I am going to be sorry I arranged that, I bet, but I really like that Orchid.

ericsch
750 posts
 

I have the Orchid with a WE396A tube and recently acquired a
Pontus II. I really like the Orchid a lot, but the Pontus like Ozzy said,
adds more resolution at the top end. Vocals are a bit more forward
and crystal clear. I seriously considered doing the Grannyring 
upgrades, but in the end decided to get the Pontus II. That being
said, I can't part with the Orchid just yet.  

 



 

mr_m
1,900 posts
 

The Pontus ll sounds fine using single ended RCA's. My integrated doesn't have balanced inputs, so it's RCA's for me.

Although I'm sure SQ would improve with balanced. 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,836 posts
 

With the pagoda I used rca Inputs and rca to the preamp. With the Pontus I am using balanced in from the streamer, still rca to the preamp.

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 

FWIW, IME vocals on the Pontus aren't forward unless that's what's in the recording. Of course that's system-dependent, but with a variety of recordings the Pontus will place vocals and instruments anywhere from deep behind the speakers to at the seating end of the room on crazy stuff like the pyrotechnic Q-sound on "Amused to Death". Cheers,

Spencer

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