Description
Sophisticated Design
The Pontus is true balanced, dual mono R-2R network arrays DAC. Each channel is equipped with independent high-speed FPGA to control the decoding by means of 4 sets of 0.01% R-2R network. This design has very small linear error, high decoding speed, low digital noise, not only to ensure that the audio signal is low distortion, but also to ensure a very low background music noise; allow listener to enjoy the true music with dark background.
All digital input are FIFO buffered and reclocked by the on board FEMTO clocks. The excellent rejection of word-clock jitter makes Denafrips DAC less reliance to the source equipment clock quality. Pontus can transform your consumer grade computer, CD Player to high-end sound quality.
Technical Highlights
- Proprietary R2R + DSD Architecture
- True balanced 24BIT R2R + 6BIT DSD (32 steps FIR Filters)
- Native DSD decoding with 0.01% precision resistors
- FEMTO Crystal 45.1548MHz, 49.152Mhz
- Encapsulated Ultra Low Noise Power Supply
- Adaptive FIFO Buffer Reclocking
- New Improved DSP Digital Signal Processing FPGA Code
- DSD1024, PCM1536 Supports On USB & I²S Input
- Proprietary USB Audio Solution via STM32F446 Advanced AMR Based MCU
- Licensed Thesycon USB Driver For Windows Platform
- Driverless On Mac & Linux
- Dual AES/EBU Input Supports
- Sharp/Slow Filters Option
- I²S Pinout Configuration
- I²S DSD Channel Swap Configuration
DSD
- DSD64 (DoP) on Coax/AES/Opt Input
- DSD1024* On USB & I²S Input Only
PCM
- 24bits / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192KHz On All Input
- 1536kHz* On USB & I²S Input
NOTE*
USB Firmware V3.4.1 – PCM1536 / DSD1024 supports disabled for compatibility with macOS
Sampling Mode
Non-Oversampling NOS / Oversampling OS
Digital Input
- Coax 1 via RCA
- Coax 2 via BNC 75 Ω
- TOSLink x 1
- AES/EBU x 2
- 0 Type B
- I²S via HDMI LVDS
Analog Output
- RCA at 2.0Vrms, 625 Ω
- XLR at 4.0Vrms, 1250 Ω
Frequency Response
20-70KHz -3dB
THD+N
0.0025%
S/N Ratio
120dB
Dynamic Range
>121dB
Stereo Crosstalk
-110dB
AC Power Requirement
100-240VAC, 50/60Hz (Worldwide Voltage, Manual Selector)
Power Consumption
≤20W
Dimensions
320 x 330 x 110 mm (Including feet)
Package Dimensions
470 x 440 x 175 mm
Package Contents
DAC only. No power cord & remote control.
Weight
8.5 Kg
Color
Black/Silver
Warranty
36 Months
Featured Reviews
Highly Recommended
This is a true bargain in the realm of high end DAC’s. If it were $5k I would give it a positive review and say it was priced right. As it is, the cost is $1700 and that my friends is remarkable. This could be an end game dac for many out there, no matter the cost of your system. That in itself is remarkable.
Credit: Steve Huff
An Expressway to Your Skull
With a combined price of roughly $2200, I know of no other digital to analog converter solution that comes anywhere near the IRIS II / PONTUS II combo in terms of conveying music with all of its attendant power and beauty in tact.
Credit: Michael Lavorgna @ Twittering Machines
The finest sounding DAC that I’ve heard
The Denafrips Pontus II DAC is the new and updated model for 2021, with improvements to the power supply, DSP board and circuit tweaks. I take a look and see how much extra performance you get over the Ares II.
Credit: A British Audiophile
Highly recommended!
Denafrips Pontus is an excellent DAC that moves digital sound forward and does not have the usual bevy of digital warts. It breaks some of the long-standing digital barriers that have kept me from fully engaging with digital music. It is at a reasonable price point (by audio standards) and, based on construction and parts alone, represents a tremendous value. Now throw in the sound quality that I experienced, and I can’t think of a better value in a DAC today.
Credit: Ken Redmond @ The Audio Beatnik
It’s natural, relaxed, expressive and musical
After reviewing the Ares II that offers amazing sound quality for the money, I was very curious what the Pontus would bring, costing slightly over 2 times as much. So let’s dive right in.
Credit: The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel
Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice Awards for 2020
In my DAC rating scheme, the Pontus is number one with a bullet. It’s price of $2298 in Singapore dollars, puts it at about $1700 USD and I’m confident that nothing under $2000 will come close, they won’t even make it into the same neighborhood. I told Alvin that its the high-end analog turntable of DACS, no, it’s the tubuliscious tube amp of DACS, no… it’s both. No kidding.
Credit: Stu McCreary @ Positive Feedback
The Best DAC This Reviewer Has Ever Heard; Bar None!
This DAC is transparent in ways that you won’t believe a piece of electronics could be transparent. The soundstage is holographic, the bass is punchy and deep, the midrange is unbelievably creamy and rich yet incredibly detailed at the same time. When playing music, the electronics simply disappear letting all the music out into the room. I rate this DAC an 11 out of 10 and I can’t recommend it highly enough. In fact, I’m going to buy the review sample!
Credit: George Graves @ Audiophile Style
Audiophilia Star Component Award
The most impressive aspect for me is the huge image it renders, putting the musicians in a deep and natural space, and making my small listening room open up into something much, much larger. This DAC is an easy recommendation for almost any listener looking to move up the food chain, but at $1700 it is a no-brainer, and could easily hold its own in 5-figure systems. My strongest recommendation.
Credit: Michael Johnson @ Audiophilia
The Best DACs Buyers Guide Summer 2021
A Chinese-built DAC sold directly through a Singapore source, the Pontus sounds like a risky purchase. We got one, tested it, and discovered that it featured a “lot of cutting-edge DAC tech” and that “the price is certainly right.” “It sounded so good we’re curious about how much better the higher level Denafrips DACs are,” we concluded.
Credit: Part-Time Audiophile
6moons – Blue Moon Award
The effect is quite striking. Envision a picture that had some low-level details obscured. Suddenly a light from within reveals those missing details. It doesn’t make tone colors paler. There’s no bleaching, no undue sharpness or glare. It’s indeed the same picture, just with more information. With Pontus you hear bigger space, room echoes that lack with Ares II, musicians breathing. You gain a more organic impression because real life has many of those little parasitic sounds that only are noticed when stripped out but which contribute to the live feel.
Credit: Frederic Beudot @ 6moons
NBT Studio: The Best DAC 2020
This is my Denafrips Pontus R2R DAC review. It has won the Next Best Thing Studio Award with its outstanding performance that outclasses many of the DACs.
Credit: Jay @ The Next Best Thing Studio
