Before upgrading to the Denafrips Terminator, I had used the Nothstar 192 CD Transport with the USB DAC32 of the same manufacturer (also using the upsampled I2S-Connection).
The Northstar Design DACs hold a high reputation in the high-end community and I was quite satisfied with it for many years.
But switching to the Denafrips Terminator is a whole different word: The sound quality is on a completely superior level – much more authority, smoother und considerably more engaging sound, more details and more articulated bottom end.
However, the most striking difference is the ability of the Denafrips to throw a much wider and especially deeper sound stage with unmatched instrument layering! All in all, the musicality of the Denafrips Terminator is just stellar!
I also compared the Defarips Terminator to the LKS MH-DA004 which is considered by many audiophiles as one of the best DAC options in the 2.000 € price class and again – no comparison whatsoever!
Once again: My congratulations to this piece of art which performs far above its pricepoint!
I case it is hard to identify the other components of my system:
Preamplifier: Krell KRC-HR Crossover: Krell KBX (of course tuned to the speakers)
Power amplifiers: 2 x Krell KSA-200 Speakers: Apogee Duetta reference (refurbished and directly coupled to the amps)
Subwoofer: 2 x Martin Logan Depth
So – except the Denafrips, pretty vintage stuff but still VERY satisfying! – I would not be able to afford components in this quality level nowadays, which – of course – was also a reason why I decided to go for the Terminator…
Credit: Ralf.
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