Denafrips DAC's, are they really that good?

[Nelco]

I've had a few dacs in the past where the output of the chip went directly to the output, it's a hair shirt philosophy a bit like NOS. So I wonder if Denafrips have done this which would explain the high output impedance. You could always add a valve buffer, but then you could always buy a different dac [emoji23]

That makes sense and I did run it in NOS mode. From what I can divine Denafrips route the R-2R ladder output straight through minimal passive filtering. Hence the high output impedance.

[Nelco]

I haven't experienced any of the above issues. I am in the process of selling a Pontust 12th anniversary edition, though not for reasons of being displeased in any way. I need the cash and it is as simple as that. I think on the whole, my PontusII is excellent. I use it balanced with the AES cable and it sounds pretty darned good. I was informed that the 15th anniverasary edition wasn't as good as the 12th. Sometimes manufacturers should leave well alone when they have a decent product on their hands.

I have no doubt that if I had a different amp or a high quality separate pre-amp I wouldn't have had an issue. I'm not knocking the Pontus 15th, I'm sure it sounds great in the vast majority of systems. Just not mine.

[Macca]

I agree, an odd design decision and to be honest impedance matching was something I'd never even considered before. My problem though was less the DAC and more the unusually low input impedance of my amp. Careful matching required.

Well it was a combination of both really, either on their own would probably be fine with most equipment.