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Denafrips TERMINATOR 15TH R-2R DAC
Package Content : TERMINATOR 15TH R-2R DAC only.
Technical Highlights
- Proprietary R2R + DSD Architecture
- True balanced 26BIT R2R + 6BIT DSD (32 steps FIR Filters)
- Matched Precision Thin Film 0.005% R-2R Network Arrays
- Encapsulated Flagship Ultra Low Noise Power Supply
- High Purity Gold+Silver+Copper Alloy AC Transformers
- High-end Oven Controlled Crystals OCXO
- Adaptive FIFO Buffer Reclocking
- Direct Digital Signal Processing FPGA
- 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
- 768kHz* On USB & I²S Input
Sampling Mode: Non-Oversampling NOSOversampling OS
Digital Input
- Coax via RCA
- TOSLink x 1
- AES/EBU x 2
- USB2.0 Type B
- I²S via HDMI LVDS
- I²S via RJ45 LVDS
- I²S via RJ45 LVCMOS
Analog Output
- RCA at 2.15Vrms, 625 Ω
- XLR at 4.3Vrms, 1250 Ω
Clock Output BNC 75Ω
- 44.1KHz, 48KHz
- 22.5774Mhz, 24.576Mhz
- 45.1548MHz, 49.152Mhz
Frequency Response: 20-80KHz (+1/-3dB)
THD: <0.0015%(A)
S/N Ratio: ≥129dB(A)
Dynamic Range: >132dB
Stereo Crosstalk:<-120dB
AC Power Requirement: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz (Worldwide Voltage)
Power Consumption: ≤20W
Dimension: 430W x 380D x 125H mm (Includes Footers)
Package Dim: 610 x 570 x 275 mm
Package Content: DAC only. No power cord & remote control.
Weight: 19.0 Kg
Color: Silver / Black
Warranty: 12 Months
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
82/100
Features Connectivity
92/100
Value for Money
94/100
The TERMINATOR 15TH R-2R DAC pairs organic tonal density with striking resolution, carving deep, naturally placed images and lively transients without turning brittle. 6 Moons heard greater openness and spatial separation, while The Absolute Sound praised its exceptional stage depth and punchy dynamics. With NOS/OS flexibility, DSD1024 and PCM1536 support, it is a seriously immersive high-end digital hub.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Dense, organic, analogue-like voicing combines with notably higher resolution, openness and spatial separation.
Exceptionally deep soundstage with natural performer placement, quick leading edges and punchy dynamics.
Reveals fine cymbal delicacy, bass texture and low-level musical information, especially with high-rate external DSP.
Extensive PCM1536/DSD1024 capability and NOS operation give experienced users substantial system-tuning scope.
&
Cons
Slightly elevated treble energy may not suit systems or listeners already sensitive to brightness; one review also noted a faint grain structure on some material.
Extracting its highest performance through extreme-rate external DSP can require considerable setup knowledge and computing capability.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a dense, organic and natural presentation that remains lively, open and highly involving. Its standout qualities are unusually strong resolution, spatial separation and convincing transient reproduction, though one reviewer noted a slight graininess on violin.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
92/100
6 Moons characterizes the Terminator’s core voice as dense, organic and analogue-like, while The Absolute Sound calls it natural and relaxed without finding it dull. Its quick leading edges and punchy dynamics reportedly avoid edginess, brittleness and distortion, making for an engaging rather than clinical presentation.
Resolution and Detail
94/100
Detail retrieval is a repeated strength. Audiophile Style was amazed by the cymbal delicacy, bass texture, note leading edges and surrounding information, while 6 Moons found substantially greater resolution, openness, layering and spatial separation after the upgrade. The Absolute Sound also praises an open, insightful presentation, although it heard a little grain on violin.
Digital Performance
91/100
Reviewers report a low-distortion, cleanly articulated presentation with convincing attacks, shimmer and decays rather than grit. 6 Moons found OS mode more informative and resolved in the treble, and noted successful operation at the claimed formats; the isolated comment about slight grain prevents an unqualified verdict.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
82/100
The supplied specification describes a substantial 19kg chassis, encapsulated low-noise power supply, precision resistor arrays, OCXO clocks and alloy transformers. Reviewers focus much more on the DSP and sonic changes than on casework, internal execution or long-term durability, so there is limited direct construction commentary.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Connectivity is unusually extensive: USB, coaxial, optical, dual AES/EBU and several HDMI/RJ45 I²S arrangements are joined by both RCA and balanced XLR outputs. It supports PCM up to 1536kHz and DSD1024 via USB/I²S, offers NOS/OS operation plus filter choices and provides a clock output; the supplied package omits a remote control.
Value for Money
94/100
At roughly $5,990–$6,834, it sits in a competitive upper-tier DAC segment, but The Absolute Sound explicitly calls the Terminator 15th an exceptional value when its particular strengths suit the listener. Its unusually deep image presentation, resolution and broad digital connectivity underpin that assessment against considerably more expensive alternatives discussed by the reviewer.
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Authorized dealers for Denafrips TERMINATOR 15TH R-2R DAC
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio essence — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
- Audio Extreme — in-store — Kowloon, China (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Lyric Audio — online and in-store — Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain (website)
- Magic Sound — online and in-store — Italy (website)
- Mister Hifi — online and in-store — Raamsdonksveer, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (website)
- Musicraft — in-store — Derby, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 5 more verified dealers