Help choosing a DAC

@oddiofyl Thank you, it works well, I do love it.  When you say it is a sleeper, do you mean a keeper? My budget is $2500 I would love to consider used, matter of fact that would be my 1'st option. Thank you for the response.

@ricred1 I wish I could listen to them, unfortunately that is not an option for Denfrips and I have read so many reviews that are positive that I do want to consider them. I don't know what other options I have other than them. I agree room synergy plays a big role, but then doesn't that already decided for with the rest of your system? Thank you for your response.

@marco1 Thank you for your response, I do remember reding about the Merlin's about 10 or more years ago. Are they really as good as all the reviews suggested? I would love to terminate with the terminator, but unfortunately the road for me ends at Venus. I am leaning the Venus way as well, but just not sure if my system is high end enough for the big step up that Venus provides from Pontus. Most of the reviewers mention that before you go up the chain in the Denaphrips line to first upgrade other components to match the step up in performance. I am not sure if I will do this with my system as I am very happy where I am. Hence the Q.

@jastralfu Thank you for the response and link, I agree that you are likely close to the venus, but I was hoping to be at the one box solution instead of two and buy used, if at all possible, honestly I have not seen any Venus for sale. If I go the Pontus route I will likely go the Iris or Hermes route. Does to bother you to have two boxes though?

@decooney I have watched the DAC space now for close to 3 years just to see what this community settles on and I have the sense that this community to a great extent agrees that Denaphris  makes good DAC's. Like @hilde45 so well put the costs, it can get expensive. That is why I try to avoid doing that.

@paulcreed thank you for your response, you are correct, CJ does have a warm enveloping sound. I might in the future try out the PASS Labs line, but that is also only if I get a smoking deal. I know everyone pairs the Pontus with Iris or hermés, so I was hoping to just get done with a single box and get there (hopefully used)

@oddiofyl  thank you for this suggestion, will give it a read.

@jjss49 Thank you for your advise, I have read your posts. I am leaning the same way as you suggest here, if I decide to stick with the Denaphris line.

@arafiq Thank you for your input, Pontus seems to be the sweet spot.
 

@magnuman  Thanks for that suggestion, unfortunately $4500 is a little steep for me. Ideally $2500 is my sweet spot, extendable t $3000, anything more would be a bit burdensome for me.

@newwater it is to this knowledge that exists amongst you all minus any fluff that I have come seeking your opinions. I will defn check the Wyred4Sound out. Not very familiar with them.

@vthokie83  thanks for your input, What you suggest seems to be the consensus here. Please put a post up when you do indeed move to the Terminator, I for one would be curios on the differences.

@veroguy  Thank you for the suggestion, will defn check it out, R2R is the way I want to go.

@hilde45 Thank you for that example with TMR, I had not considered that. Makes a lot of sense to be careful what to try out. I have never bought on the US Audiomart ever, would it be similar to Audiogon?

@soix I have heard of this one, I will check it out, but do you think I can do an honest evaluation (considering burn in etc) in the short time before return to tell me this would be a good option?