Use of Denafrips Iris 12th DDC with computer

I agree with @jastralfu, I’m running a dedicated fanless silent mini PC with optimized settings, no extra programs other than iPad connectivity, fed by cat5 cable from industrial grade switch fed by optical fiber internet service streaming Qobuz.  PC connection to IRIS  with good quality USB, and IRIS to Pontus II by I2S cable.  Less than $3k in all of the above.  I think I’d have to spend double or triple thar on dedicated streamer a la Grimm, Aurender, Lumin, etc., to get the same performance. Really just personal preferences and choices. 

It's amazing to see that some folks on this audiophile site still choose to stream music directly from computer to dac. An inexpensive streamer will improve your experience 10 fold vs adding any DDC between your computer and dac. Not speaking of experience, just common sense. Computer noise is what you are trying to improve. A streamer will do that, a DDC won't.

I thank all for the input.

My primary system is a modest high end system playing CDs via Jay's transport into Audio Mirror DAC. I have explored the purchase of a streamer (say $4K) for this system however prefer the CD avenue at the moment.  I have visited the many AG threads toward that possibility, not having to introduce another.

Streaming is primarily used in my secondary and tertiary systems via Qobuz. Most times I use streaming for background music.  I would use the USB interface most often out of the DDC. Hence my question was focused on the Iris for computer streaming.  

The feedback I have received so far supports that the Iris would make an improvement and to me be worth the dollars spent. I will likely purchase one.

I will keep all posted as to my progress.  Thanks again! 

Having been streaming directly (using foobar2000) from a Windows OS tablet into into a Denafrips Gaia DDC (and Venus II DAC) via cabled USB, I recently purchased the Bluesound Node Nano ($299). The system wirelessly draws from my personal iTunes library (no online services) housed on an office desktop (no dedicated NAS) - and is routed into the Gaia via digital coax. The supplied interface (BlueOS) is pretty good and easy to use - though I did have some minor "trail and error" issues configuring the file-sharing parameters of my home network/music files. Long story short: I’m truly amazed at how good it all sounds - especially for the modest cost. As others have stated, a dedicated streamer (even a spartan, entry-level model like the Nano) is, IMHO, definitely worth considering. Terry

@mesch 

Going from a Jay's transport to an Audio mirror dac has to spoil you pretty good soundwise. If all you need your computer to dac for is background music for a secondary system, I seriously doubt you will hear a noticeable difference with a DDC. We are usually talking critical listening here, not background music. And a DDC main goal is to turn usb feed into something else, AES, I2s, coax or optical. Going usb in and usb out is just unheard of. Since you were talked into the DDC  I hope it will make you happy. BTW, I do use one, turning usb into I2s. It does the required job.