Denafrips Iris DDC Review

The Denafrips Iris DDC (digital- to- digital converter) is designed to clean up the USB output from your streamer or computer, re-clock it and send it to your DAC. It is supposed to improve sound quality. More audiophile snake oil? I take a close look.

Link to global distributor Vinshine Audio

Link to my Patreon

Time stamps:
Intro 0:00
Design & features 2:10
Technical insights 3:20
Sound quality 10:55
Setup & partnering equipment 13:09
Conclusion 14:18

[jonasarnesson]

In ten minutes, you managed to explain the basics of jitter, electronic noise, galvanic isolation, an asynchronous connection, data buffering, the SPDIF, USB, and I2S formats, coaxial and optical connectors, master and word clocks, and temperature compensated and oven controlled crystal oscillators in a way that even a technically illiterate audiophile as myself could easily grasp. That was, hands down, one of the best technical presentations that I have ever listened to.

[selvan]

Your technical insights in this video, sir, are a masterpiece of concise exposition. I was sceptical at first, but last week I inserted the Iris 12th between the Eversolo DMP-A6 ME and the Pontus 12th, and I must say the improvements are exactly as you describe and fully worth the price.

[Coneman]

“Nothing works perfect” is an important concept in understanding Hifi. Your videos are so educational and well constructed.

[robcaputo]

I thought this was a good video the first time I saw it. But I was new to a lot of those concepts back then and I’ve seen it twice since. Not a lot of YouTubes that warrant being viewed several times. Very informative, thank you very much, amazing work.

[MB-uweh]

Immaculately conceived presentation on DDC. It just shows that you need to be very informed before you purchase a ddc or more generally, to know how to achieve optimum hifi performance with the right component and connection configuration.

[robertwang]

The Iris paired with the Pontus 2 is a big upgrade, voice, instruments, lower noise floor, etc. Way above my expectations. I use the Jays Audio I2S cable. Willsenton R800i, Rel T5X combo. Yes to get max benefit from the Iris, the ancillary equipment must be there. I was quite shocked by the improvement, was very discernible. Thks Arun, great review.

[howardskillington]

This is superlative. None of the many references I have seen to DAC issues like USB and clocking have offered any explanatory information - only opinions. Now I am able to proceed with an informed layperson's understanding, thanks to Tarun's lucid explanation of this challenging material. Other reviewers tell us how equipment sounds to them, but Tarun offers invaluable advice on the level of associated equipment that one should put together in order for this purchase to make sense. Kudos.

[scottmakeig]

My iMac --> Pontus II --> Decware Pre --> Decware Zen amps (monoblocks) system is also much improved by inserting the Iris even though the cost of the Decware amps is not approaching that of your amp chain. So the improvement must depend on the source and on the amp quality, not necessarily its price... Thanks for the review.

[surfrico]

A fantastic explanation of the wizardry of digital audio. A great review Tarun, thanks for the time and effort you put into making these videos.
Invaluable to anyone interested in gaining knowledge about improving their listening experience.

[maxadams]

Great technical breakdown. Definitely worth getting my head around it so I can appreciate my little Iris. Thanks too Tarun for finessing the best situations to use it for. You go a step or two further than others who just say it's great - it's good to understand 'why' also. My Ares 11 doesn't have 12S, but all the sound quality improvements you noticed also apply (but yes, I2S next !).

[ritwikroy]

Fantastic video, Tarun. Thank you. This has given me some things to think about before I splurge on a DDC.

[calaf_]

Thank you Tarun. Just when i saved enough money and was ready to pull the trigger for Pontus you made it clear to me why i should go for a Venus i can't afford lol

[Kahona]

Very nice explanation of i2s, was going to research how it works, but you made it very clear!

[frostycanada]

Hello Tarun, I own and use an Iris for well over a year now and have it setup between my Mac Mini and my Sugden DAC 4.

Connection between the DDC and my DAC is by coax cable.

The Iris is compact, well built and reasonably priced.

A highly recommended product from me,
Brian

[reydelanada]

Hi there! I own a venus II and I did find an enourmous diference adding the iris to my system using a Rpi4 as transport. Then I changed the transport to an Allo Usbridge signature, a much better transport, and sound did not improve as much as it does if you remove the Iris. That means the iris is doing a great work concerning SQ making it less transport dependant. I have a quite revealing system by the way and I totally agree that’s the big point (electrocompaniet aw250R and ARC ref 3 with usher big loudspeakers).
Thanks a lot for your vídeos and keep up the great work! Cheers from spain!

[stephencosta]

🥰 I didn’t even see the video yet and I’m going in the kitchen to make me some popcorn and getting ready to watch👍
P.S. i’ve been waiting for this review ever since she talked about it

[AtriGadhvi]

Brilliant review Cheers Tarun, the day you mentioned DDC I was waiting for your take on this product.

[charlesclifton]

I had to come back and revisit this review or shall I call it - "an education
relevant to I2S". The reason is that since I originally viewed this some
months back, I have pretty-much decided that the Pontus2 is the DAC
I want. Yes, the reviews offered are basically all quite positive but as well,
it is the I2S feature that I have decided is a must (to use) if I am going to
invest in the Pontus2. The Iris DDC, as I now understand it, is going to be a
must to partner with the Pontus. (and the cost, to me, is reasonable)

Audio has always been a great joy in my life. My initial fascination began
back in the 50s when a relative in Seattle played some opera on what was
then, a state of the art mono system powered by a big tube amp. Now,
obviously things have progressed and I have always tried to keep abreast
of improvements but at the end of the day I am the type of person that likes
to understand the inner workings or science within my audio equipment.
I know what I like to hear and I know what I can afford to hear. In manifesting
sound equipment over these many years I can honestly say that it has
been a lot of fun, not to mention, rewarding. As said, I do like to understand
my equipment at the deepest level possible. Tarun's Youtube channel
has enabled me to become a much better learned student of this ever
evolving world of audio equipment. If you have taken the time to read this
then please peruse his other Youtube offerings ... when it comes to
getting an audio education a on what is new and to a reasonable degree -
how it may work - this guy is gold. 'nuff said 🇨🇦

[jpdj]

Very well explained! Nice device. It's funny how "digital" was supposed to solve noise, tape hiss, rumble, hum and whatnot, and still it reminds more of the old-fashioned record player than those promises. Let me digress a bit because the global village.
Something that ought not be a problem in the UK, but can be in continental Europe and the USA, is that our AC plugs can be put into the outlet in two ways, thus switching live and neutral. As audio devices tend to make ground connections via their chassis over an audio link, swapping live/neutral between devices can give a significant voltage differential and energy flow between devices. This can cause a lot of edginess in the audio. The reason I bring this up is because I presume that the galvanic isolation works at the level of the bit-stream, but not at the level of inter-device grounding. And I may be wrong here. If my presumption is right, then this problem could only be solved with an optical connection (not my favorite), or by making sure that all audio devices are "phase correct" relative to each other.
In the way, learned friend, you say, paraphrased, that people in some cases can better upgrade their amplifier before thinking of this device, people in parts of the world better sort that AC thing out, before they upgrade anything. I went as far as to replace some of my local standard "Schuko" wall outlets by French ones. The French design doesn't allow you to switch live/neutral and Schuko plugs exist that are compatible with the grounded French outlet. Another thing is that we listen to our AC. In the way this filter needs to reclock and clean the bit stream because of minimalist implementations, the power stages in our analog amplification devices are simple. They generally are designed on the assumption that AC is clean and a simple rectification is enough. And then all the devices in our homes pollute our AC lines and the grid too.

[davidgill]

Hello from Montreal, I appreciate your videos on everything audio and some of these newer digital products. You clarified further the issues of the digital signal. I have fallen down the rabbit hole and understand the need for a good source both analog and digital.
I started with CD player when they came out and always bought physical music and never used a laptop for music storage. So when streaming became a need I looked for a component that streamed and could handle my cds. That’s where the Bluesound Vault came in. It was a streamer but it could rip and store music. Brilliant.
Now I have upgraded to a higher level incorporating an Innuos streamer and reclocker with a Denafrips Venus Dac. The upgrades where done over time with noticeable improvements and yes cost. We know that hifi can be an endless journey, but we want the best sound quality so it won’t really end because within the digital relem choices are endless. So when you review a DCC like this, the hobbyist will see the possible need and it sparks an interest.
Sorry for rambling on… thanks from across the pond.