Music Lover


Can. anyone advise on choosing between the new Garlubidor Divinity DAC vs a Denafrips Pontus 15. How different might they sound? The Divinity has advantages (includes preamp, remote control, screen) but is a version 1 product vs the well-established, revised and esteemed Pontus 15.

And any comments about the following system:

Eversolo T8 streamer > Garlubidor Divinity OR Denafrips Pontus 15 > Sugden A21 SE int amp > Proac Response D2R standmounts > REL S/550 subwoofer.

The Divinity DAC has a preamp, the Pontus does not. How much SQA difference is there likely to be if Divinity preamp is used (which would allow use of remote control) vs using the Sugden's preamp?

Finally, any thoughts about Eversolo T8 + Divinity DAC vs Eversolo T8 + Gustard R30 DAC?

esaslow

I don't know if it is too late to respond but I have the Divinity Dac and really like it. I have not heard the Pontus so I can't compare them.

Steve Huff did a review where he compared the two and wrote: "The Divinity on the other hand, the one that costs almost half of the Fezz doesn’t use a tube but is an R2R DAC with that R2R vibe that so many love. Think a Denafrips Pontus type of DAC but with more detail and more of an open sound. More of that sound, but with improvements such as a bit more air, more impact, and very impressive dynamics. This is not what I would call a “warm” DAC, but it’s not lean or bright. It’s more neutral which is nice as it lets the music come through as intended without excessive color added. Meaning, this DAC doesn’t impose much of a character to the sound as some do. It delivers what is on the recording and does so with depth, layers, height and imaging to die for if your speakers are up to the task."

https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2025/11/09/the-garlubidor-divinty-r2r-dac-is-a-better-denafrips/

The other things I'd say is that the Divinity is a non-oversampling dac whereas the Pontus has oversampling modes if that impacts your decision. Further, the Divinity has a volume control so it could be used in place of a preamp. Additionally, the Divinity has a display screen. 

@esalow

Something aside from SQ you might want to figure into your decision is whether the Garb. can be serviced in the US. No problem in this regard with the Pontus. 

I suspect what @ghdprentice meant to type was:

"Personally I would go for the Denafrips Pontus as it is a little less pushed to the detailed side and I think would be a little bit MORE natural sounding".