My name is Lifangyi, and I am a passionate enthusiast of Antipodes Audio products—I own the Oladra G4 music server, whose performance has deeply impressed me. I am currently seeking an R2R-architecture DAC to pair with the Oladra G4 and complete my system. After extensive research, I am considering the Aqual Formula XHD Rev.2 (manufactured in Italy), as its specifications and sonic characteristics have intrigued me. However, I would like to confirm whether its RJ45-based I2S interface is compatible with the I2S (RJ45) output on my Oladra G4. Notably, the Aqual Formula XHD Rev.2 does not include an HDMI-based I2S interface.
Additionally, if there are other high-quality R2R DACs you would recommend within the same price range as the Aqual Formula XHD Rev.2 (approximately €10,000–€15,000), I would greatly appreciate your insights. Specifically, how do you evaluate the Holo Audio May KTE and Denafrips Terminator 15th Anniversary Edition in terms of synergy with the Oladra G4?
My goal is to achieve a musically engaging, emotionally resonant sound while ensuring seamless integration with my existing system. I greatly value your professional judgment and would be grateful for your advice. Should you require further details about my setup or preferences, please let me know.
Thank you for your time and expertise. I eagerly await your perspective.
At this price point, you may want to look at MSB Premier or even better, a Reference. they just released the I2S (HDMI) module that is compatible with Antipodes Server and the sound is amazingly organic/musical.
I Do have the Antipodes K50 G4 and using the Denafrips Terminator Plus to convert the data to music. Before G4 is did prefer the AES output (Ansuz D2 AES) and the I2S on the second place. With the G4 K50 I do prefer the results of USB (Ansuz USB Supreme). The USB interfaces of both Units are matching perfectly. BTW, you can read about Aqua and Denafrips on the Hifi-Advice Site (Christiaan Punter) to give you an Idea of both Dac’s. I know it is something personal, but for me it is the most natural sound/music I have heard from a system. I use Roon server and Roon Player at the moment and prefer this above the Roon-Squeeze combination. I also play mostly Flac-0 files from SSD and not many Hi-res at the time.
I used the MSB Reference DAC from the U.S. for a period of time, but it eventually developed a malfunction (loss of output in certain frequency ranges; MSB provided diagnostic signals, and testing revealed a clock issue). After repairs, I sold it, so I’ve decided not to purchase MSB again this time. Do you have other recommendations besides MSB? Thank you!
O yes, “I know it is something personal, but for me it is the most natural sound/music I have heard from a system” as stated in my earlier message.
The Denafrips Terminator Plus (and it followers) is a no nonsense DAC without Bit manipulation like many others. In NOS mode its sound is Fabulous. Never had problems with it and I feel absolutely no urge to change this DAC. (My speakers are Tidal Contriva G2, driven by Ypsilon Aelius II and Icon4 Pro Balanced from passivepreamp.com.)
I own the Oladra G4 and the Aqua Formula xHDv2. I use the AES/EBU input. The sound is organic and not fatiguing which was important to me. It does not get in the way of the music. I have read good reviews on the Aries Cerat dacs but have never heard one. Dealers of both lines I have spoken with prefer the Aries Cerat Kassandra line and up, which are significantly more expensive than the Aqua. I expect Aqua to come out with an updated version soon as they recently updated the La Scala.
Thank you for sharing your detailed insights and experiences – your perspective as an Aqua Formula xHDv2 owner is particularly valuable.
While the Aries Cerat Kassandra/Homerus line’s technical achievements are impressive, their pricing tier does stretch beyond my current budget considerations (€58k vs Aqua’s €18k positioning). I’ve decided to adopt a strategic wait-and-see approach given Aqua’s consistent innovation cycle – the recent La Scala MkIII’s upgraded FPGA architecture (+30% tap length) and new USB isolator design suggest promising trickle-down potential for the Formula series.
No not at the moment, there is very little gain for me if any. The Dac is soft- and firmware updated in 2024 and is playing beautifully. I don’t feel the urge of updating yet
I do think that the I2s Interface of the Terminator Plus 15th is still much the same as the original Plus. You can easy software program these I2S settings.
I’ve had the Mola Mola Tambaqui for a year and a half, connected to my K50 G2 via I2S. It’s simply sublime. I had the Terminator before, which was very good, but it’s nothing compared to the Tambaqui, which I can listen to for hours without fatigue. That’s my experience.
Yes, the Mola Mola Tambaqui is a fantastic Dac, I did hear the proto and the “normal” one.
It is all a bit personal: for me it was sounding a bit artificial (with the K50 G1) against the Terminator Plus (in my setting), not much but for me it was the Terminator that did the job for me. I Prefer the sound of most R2R ladder Dac’s against Delta Sigma DSD Dac’s (don’t mead the Mola Mola). A crispier sound with the right “delay” after that, not just a snap and then nothing. Also, I find R2R has more info in the upper and the lower range……. IT’S all personal. The Tambaqui is right in the middle of that and I can easily live with this Dac too.
I do think that there is much more differences between the media servers and players then there is between different dac’s.
Users of the Formula xHD Rev. 2 have reported several areas for improvement:
Insufficient transformer power: Overheating occurs in summer, with device temperatures sometimes reaching 48°C, leading to automatic shutdowns.
Lack of HDMI I²S interface: This connectivity option is missing from the current configuration.
Exposed open resistor array: The resistors are directly exposed to air, making them prone to oxidation in humid environments (humidity >70%). Factory repairs for such issues are costly.
Factory recalibration frequency: Some users claim the device requires recalibration every two years. Is this accurate?
Oh beware, this is something completely wrong, sorry. I have worked for over 30 years in the electronic fabricate industry mostly with SMD and circuit boards and this looks very bad.
It can be a small Serie of say 100 pieces of circuit boards but they slipped through the quality department somehow. This is not the way it should happen with such an expensive product.
Exposed open resistor array and the like should be protected with a special lacquer. And overheating??? This is not good engineered……
