Denafrips Iris DDC Review & Why Use a DDC Anyway?

The Iris was a loan from a friend of the channel. Thanks!

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Timestamps...

00:00 Intro, Pricing, Disclaimer
01:22 Shameless Self Promotion
01:49 What is a DDC and Why Might You Want One?
06:44 More About the Iris
09:16 Features & Build
12:12 Sound
16:16 Which Output is the Best?
18:58 Comparison w/ Singxer SU-2
21:20 Wrap-Up

[wavetheorysound]

At 19:44 I mistakenly say a BNC coaxial spdif connection is 110 Ohm. It's not! It's 75-ohm. AES is 110 Ohm.

[mrpmj]

I have 2 Denafrips DACs (Pontus II 12th-1 and Ares II 12th).
The Denafrips Iris 12th makes the sound even better with either DAC.

The Cardas Clear USB cable sounds even better than the already great freebie cable from my Eversolo DMP-A6.
The Cardas Parsec RCA cable sounds even better than my already great WorldsBestCable (using Mogami 2549 and Neutrik connector).

streaming source=Apple Music lossless.

[mat.b.]

I keep reading ppl online saying the Iris does absolutely nothing when using the SPDIF (coax) output and its only beneficial with I2S. But you mentioned it being good with dacs like the whats the deal here? On a technical level I cant see how the Iris would be just as bad as unfiltered PC USB audio, right? The reclocking and galvanic isolation should be tangible regardless...in theory

edit: I realized after you mentioned the blame goes to the DAC, pointing out the Pontus....which is the same dac British Audiophile used in his review when he criticized the coax. Hmm...

[robertzisner]

Good review. Did you compare the Ares 12 combined with the Iris DDC with the Pontus 12 without the Iris DDC? I am trying to decide if it pays to buy the two pieces or just purchase the Pontus 12 . Thank you for any opinion you might have.

[CedricRachmad]

So I understand that the Weiss dac204 has a I2S signal path behind the USB input. Is that more or less the same idea as the DDC?

[danieleturrin]

Hey Wave, interesting video! Regarding this kind of devices, what do you think about products like the iFi iPurifier 3? Can its reclock system combined with the jitter reduction improve audio quality? Have you ever tested one?

[PatienceRoy-dk]

Garcia Nancy Anderson Cynthia Rodriguez Sarah

[JuliaBrame-el]

Robinson Donna Jones Christopher Young Charles

[bubblehead]

I rather own a DAC that doesn't need an extra component to allow it to work as it should in the first place.

[EvgeniyRC]

Good job. Detailed review. I agree with you that such converters are definitely needed in the system if you need a USB connection. From my experience DDC from Gustard U18 + Gustard R26 connected with a silver I2C cable is a great combination. The increase in sound quality is very noticeable! Improvement can be heard over the entire frequency range.

[JuliaBrame-el]

Robinson Donald Jones Margaret Lee Ruth

[giorgosapo]

What a wonderful review, loved the DDC introduction and detailed analysis a lot!
Have you ever got your hands on the Topping U90 DDC? I happen to own one having it plugged to the Gustard R26 DAC and I would love to hear your personal opinion/comparison to other DDCs like the Iris.

[Michael_mki]

Because of the comment section I just can't bring myself to make the Goo Goo Dolls reference I want to, cause I don't think that they'd understand.

[brendanliddell]

Whats the best bang for buck:
Denafrips ares with iris or, pontus only?

[Thoughtflux]

DDCs make a massive difference. Even cheap ones with femtosecond clocks can transform your system - as long as the components in the DDC is better than the one in your DAC especially the clocks. I got cheap Chinese one for $200 with a xmos chip on the input and a cchd957 clock on the output. Power it with another cheap Linear power supply and you'll be impressed. It's essentially upgrading your clocks in your DAC. It's worth every penny.

[bopro]

I have the Pontus, and I did the firmware update. It's a small but good improvement. Can you compare the improvements between the update and the ddc? Like is the ddc more subtle then the update...

[FabioKasper]

If I had more than 3 DACs I'd be looking at one. Since that's not the case and I only listen to compressed streamed media, my interest in DDCs is simply educational.

[Mike-lpth]

I thought the DDC, with use of its clock instead of the DAC’s clock, reduced jitter. I guess if computers transmit EM, that’s a bonus.

[johnkom]

You are wise and one of the few reviewers who grasps that there are OTHER reclockers you could use. More than a year ago, I had bought the Singxer Su-2, a so-called "USB bridge".
The other day I purchased a new USB cable, an Oyaide Neo Class A which did sound nicer with my Denafrips Pontus Dac, than stock USB cables.
Then, as audiophiles are wont to do I had try every configuration of my system using what I had lyinig about, with the new USB cable.
And voila, I was very surprised to find out that with the new Oyaide usb and my Singxer Su-2 in the signal path, the sound was much improved.
Sorry to have to say that but it was true.
So you don't strictly need to shell out for the Denafrips reclocker. Actually I just spotted a pre-owned Su-2 currently for sale at Usaudiomart, for only $350.

My wisdom on this is that probably the "blame" is to be laid at the feet of the streamer (or transport). A truly top class streamer or transport would eliminate the need for a reclocker such as the Iris or the Singxer, but most of us don't have one.

[djradman]

Hi so if I have a Pontus II dac, which ddC would u recommend? I use eversolo a6 usb out