Denafrips Terminator Plus 15th DAC, Anyone?

[Zuman]

Does anyone here own - or has anyone heard - the new Denafrips Terminator Plus 15th DAC? I own an original Terminator and have found it to be a giant-killer, but the new Terminator Plus 15th is supposed to be Denafrips' no-holds-barred attempt to create the absolute best DAC they can. However, I can't find any reviews on it.
I know that the tariff situation complicated the launch, but it's been available for a while in Europe and Asia. Unfortunately, Denafrips' own review page mixes various iterations of the Terminator.

 

[FT251]

For some reason the current leadership at Denafrips has not released either of the Terminators for review. There are no formal reviews of the Terminator 15th or the Terminator Plus 15th anywhere. A few owner reviews such as myself on the Terminator 15th. .I cannot locate any owner reviews of the new T+15th at all. I love my T 15th though. What you get for $2000 more on the T+15th sonically is a mystery. I imagine it is rather good if it's better than my Terminator 15th. (Which I bought thinking THAT was their flagship Dac when I bought it) Then a few months later they released the T+ 15th. I guess it's a matter if you want to spend $6000 or go $8000 on a leap of faith. Frankly I imagine the difference is small.

 

[now25]

Does anyone here own - or has anyone heard - the new Denafrips Terminator Plus 15th DAC? I own an original Terminator and have found it to be a giant-killer, but the new Terminator Plus 15th is supposed to be Denafrips' no-holds-barred attempt to create the absolute best DAC they can. However, I can't find any reviews on it.
I know that the tariff situation complicated the launch, but it's been available for a while in Europe and Asia. Unfortunately, Denafrips' own review page mixes various iterations of the Terminator.

I have just received a Terminator Plus 15th to replace a five year old first generation Tplus. Prior to the old Tplus I was using the first gen Terminator.

Before committing to ordering I asked Denafrips for the 15th Tplus sound profile and this was their take on it
‘Below are the sound characteristics of the Terminator 15PLUS provided by our listening director：The improvements in sound performance are as follows: the soundstage is wider and more open, with enhanced sense of envelopment; the sound is more relaxed and natural; the layering of vocals and instruments is better, with more precise positioning; the low frequencies have better extension, with improved impact and elasticity; the midrange is richer in warmth and fullness; the high frequencies are delicate and smooth. However, as everyone's listening experience varies, it's best to try it out personally.’

After about 20 hours I would tend to agree that they are not far off from their assessment. The way the music is presented is different. There is more body to all instruments and more nuanced bass . The highs are liquid and very smooth. There’s more decay and timbre of instruments are more accurate. Vocals are clearer with good body. Soundstage and instrument separation are better. My focus is on timbre and tonal density and I’m not disappointed. YMMV.
Burn in time should be more than 200 hours. Hope this helps.

 

[Zuman]

Thank you for that, now25. That's very helpful!

 

[bob74]

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/ar...0000-series-denafrips-terminator-15th-review/

 

[embat]

Hi
I have owned a Terminator 15th for about 2.5 months, probably not broken in yet. My other DACs are a Lampizator Baltic 3 and a Chord Qutest.

I was a bit underwhelmed at the beginning as the sound was closed in, constrained and the gain was very low, at least compared to the Lampi which has a very high output.

After hours of play (not soure how many to be honest) the sound has changed dramatically and I am very happy: detailed yet smooth, expansive, fast and very clean! Better than the Lampi? Different. The Lampi has an even more open/expansive sound but it is no so clean and organized if you know what I mean.

A fantastic DAC in my opinion!