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Denafrips VENUS 15th DAC
Package Content : VENUS 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
- 1536kHz* 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 2.0Vrms, 625 Ω
- XLR at 4.0Vrms, 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: >127dB(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
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Connectivity
85/100
Value for Money
91/100
The VENUS 15th DAC combines holographic soundstage, muscular yet controlled bass and fatigue-free treble in a true balanced R-2R design. Its OCXO clocking, quad-mono ladder architecture and discrete output stage deliver vivid micro-detail, forceful transients and organic tonal density, while extensive I²S, AES and USB connectivity makes this a commanding digital front end for revealing high-end systems.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Expansive, holographic imaging with exceptional depth, separation and air in both speaker and headphone systems.
Deep, visceral bass combines strong extension with impressive control and impactful dynamics.
Extended, highly resolved treble remains textured and detailed without brightness or listening fatigue.
Tank-like construction, premium component selection and a broad digital input complement inspire confidence.
&
Cons
Strictly a fixed-output DAC, with no onboard volume control, preamp functionality or remote.
Its generous bass output benefits from careful partnering with a capable preamp to preserve maximum control.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a highly immersive, large-scale presentation that combines substantial bass authority, natural tone, strong dynamics, and unusually expansive imaging. Its resolution is repeatedly praised, while the available comparisons indicate that ultimate separation in very dense crescendos can still trail more costly reference DACs.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
92/100
Soundnews found the VENUS 15th's extended treble detailed and textured without brightness or fatigue, alongside powerful but well-controlled low bass. Earlier Venus reviews likewise describe an unrestrained, effortless and emotionally involving sound, while HiFi Advice heard smooth, fluid musicality with openness, neutrality, and refinement. One comparison found the Aqua Formula more natural in timbre and richer in texture.
Resolution and Detail
93/100
The 15th-anniversary model was said to reveal extra nuances and nearly the same micro-detail as Soundnews' Reference Signature DAC, with especially strong upper-treble resolving power. HiFi Advice called its resolution, transparency, refinement, and precision close to a far more expensive Aqua Formula, though it noted some reduced separation and dynamic differentiation in complex crescendos.
Digital Performance
91/100
Reviewers consistently hear a clean, fast, articulate presentation without the glare or harshness often associated with digital playback. Soundnews praised crisp detail that remains non-fatiguing and strong transient speed, while HiFi Advice found USB playback remarkably fast and upbeat; it did note that transients were slightly less sharply delineated than the Aqua Formula.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
Construction receives emphatic praise across the reviews: the 15th model is described as having thick aluminum panels, excellent metal feet, and tank-like solidity. SoundStage Solo and The Sound Advocate similarly call the Venus II's materials and finish outstanding, with build quality beyond similarly priced competition.
Features Connectivity
85/100
The VENUS 15th offers a notably broad digital-input suite: USB, coaxial, optical, dual AES/EBU, BNC clock output, and I²S via HDMI and RJ45, plus both RCA and balanced XLR outputs. It supports PCM up to 1536 kHz and DSD1024 over USB/I²S, with NOS/oversampling and filter options, although there is no supplied remote, onboard volume control, headphone output, or network streaming.
Value for Money
91/100
At roughly $3,999 for the current VENUS 15th, it remains a serious investment, but the broader Venus reviews are unusually positive about what the platform delivers for its class. SoundStage Solo judged the Venus II to offer a remarkably high share of far costlier Mola Mola and dCS performance, while The Sound Advocate called it an affordable reference DAC and 6moons considered its market position highly attractive.
Reviews
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Denafrips VENUS 15th 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