Denafrips Pontus *15th* ?

I bought the Iris 12 from audioman58 (audiophile58 on USAudiomart) and I had no issues and he was very helpful since I had no prior experiences with Denafrips or using a DDC. He also is providing a discount from the list prices (I believe). I have no connection with audioman58 nor any financial interest in his commercial enterprise other than being a one time customer. I'm just sharing this because of the concerns expressed above at the loss of Vineshine as a seller for Denafrips.

I got the Iris because (1) there were posts recommending a USB Bridge/reclocker in between the DAC and computer and (2) I had a promotional $500 gift card from a recent satellite provider switch so it essentially didn't cost me anything. 

Last week, I went to a fellow audiophile's home to listen to his speakers and he was using a cheap DAC off of Amazon and was apparently trying out a few of them along with someone else to see if they were all that was needed. He told me that he had an early Ares as well and I asked him to put it into the system because I had never heard any of the Denafrips' DACs. Once he plugged it in, the separation, sound stage and tonal quality of the music improved by a factor (IMO) by about 3 times and the effect was immediate. 

I'm considering changing my DAC because the Iris gives the opportunity to connect to a DAC with i2s. The Pontus 15th is one I'm considering. 

I seem to recall reviewers describing the Venus 12th as voiced more in favor of upper mids and highs than Pontus 12th.

If in fact the new Pontus is more like the Venus 12th, I’d be curious whether its tonality followed suit.

Every comparison I’ve seen so far implies the Pontis 15th is "better in every way", but in practice, this may depend upon one’s sonic priorities.

I’ve never heard a Venus or the previous Pontus versions so can’t compare with my Pontus 15th, but from what I’ve seen on YT this does seem to be the case.

Jay’s Iyagi review of the 15th popped on YT yesterday; he was of the same opinion. His advice or suggestion was to pair the 15th with a neutral or slightly warm system rather than a system already leaning on the bright side to avoid having too much of a good thing.

This would align with the reviews of the Venus 12th; after all, the Pontus 15th is for all intents and purposes, a Venus 12th transferred in to a new case with a few other upgrades as far as I can tell from what others have posted on this thread and elsewhere.

For me personally, the Pontus gels with my preferences, especially since I moved to the Billie Mkii amp into my ATC SCM40’s

@painter24 

Yes. I watched that same Jay's Iyagi review last night. 

It makes sense that tube amplification would be a good match with the Pontus 15th. 

I'm committed to SS amplification so, for me the fact that even current tube DACs seem to be moving in the same sonic direction as the Pontus 15th is frustrating. In fact, this seems to be true of audio as a whole. But that's my problem, not yours.  Enjoy your new DAC!