Denarips and Vinshine split

I have been investigating SS DAC's for quite a period of time and until yesterday had not discovered one used on systems that I am familiar with that has caught my attention like the way a Denafrip Venus II had yesterday at a Bake Off between DAC's and CDP's.

SS DAC's and Valve CDP's were used as comparisons.

I am have been familiarised over time with all models in use, and these were attached to a New Design 3 Watt Output Tetrode Pre Amp - Tetrode -Pentode Power Amp, with a Speaker unfamiliar to me, with reasonable High Efficiency.

The Venus II has had FW Updates.

In the past the Venus with out a FW update was OK but a big ?mark being present over how long it could be lived with used for extended length replays beyond comparison periods of time allocated.

Yesterday in this system and a follow up Amp in use, a PP 300b, the Venus II proved itself to be a very attractive SS DAC, especially one I would consider experiencing for much longer periods of time in the home system.

The recent change in Business Structure, if leaving models produced to the previous standards will be producing a Venus II model that is well Worthy of being considered for investigation.   

@pindac Thanks for sharing. I wish I could hear both the Laiv Harmony and Denafrips Venus. I noticed Denafrips reduced their warranty period from 3 years to 1 - I hope this does not mean the quality of the new units will be lower.

@classic8 I looked at used prices for the Venus II and have seen a item in Black Finish sold for approx' $2K earlier this year.

The LAIV Harmony has also been seen sold used for similar monies.

If new models is not critical for the items to go on a shortlist, this could be an attractive offset to a shortened Warranty Period.     

@pindac Yes, I have similar thoughts.  Some reviewers claim the Laiv Harmony comes close to the Terminator II; if so it would seem the Harmony is a better value because apparently there is a big difference between the Venus and Terminator. Another consideration for me is that Denafrips units play native DSD vs the Harmony which converts to PCM - in practice do not know if this is an issue or not.

@pindac Any new thoughts regarding LAiV Harmony vs Venus II 12th-1? I noticed the Pontus II 15th uses the same resistor ladder as the Venus, and the main difference between the units is the clock.  So I wonder how different the sound would be between Pontus II 15th vs Venus II 12th-1 vs LAiV Harmony? Denafrips has a 10% sale through August 10, so wondering if the Pontus II 15th is the best value right now?