maam522a
Yes that is true, it is why Denafrips DACs are so easy to recommend.....they rarely disappoint. They are fun, enjoyable, easy to listen to, extremely competent, never sibilant, and provide what you'd want in soundstage and imaging.
What they do not do (and most R2R DACs don't either), is provide that last few percent of detail......which I do not want anyways, as I am very sensitive to sibilance; for example I cannot listen to a Chord DAC for more than short period, before it gets annoying.
Here is what I can recommend, having had every one of these in my system for extended listening (and helped quite a few friends with their systems).
(1) Buy a used Denafrips Pontus II DAC $1,100ish, but they sell the same day they go up so be quick. In addition buy a used Denafrips Iris DDC $400ish, and a good I2S cable such as the Supra Excalibur HDMI $110ish.....for $1,600 you have an excellent set up. This is what I've used for the last 4 years, and it's still a wonderful set up; and many here on Agon still use similar.
(2) Same as #1 above, but substitute a Denafrips Pontus 12th for the DAC $1,350; total would be bumped to $1,900......slightly better than the Pontus II combination above
(3) Denafrips Pontus 15th $2,019 new, or about $1,900 used if you can find them. The DAC itself is of course quite a bit better. Some prefer the Pontus 15th without a DDC like the Iris, while a few have said it still sounds better with the Iris.....to my ears they are both excellent.
(4) Denafrips Venus 15th $4,000 or about $3,400 used. This DAC is basically the former Denafrips Terminator 12th DAC, utterly beautiful DAC; but I've never heard it with a DDC.
If you do decide to look for used Denafrips DACs and DDCs, remember that they are highly sought after and rarely remain available for more than a few days.....or even hours.