Use of Denafrips Iris 12th DDC with computer

I stream from a laptop via USB to a Hermes DDC running I2S into a Pontus II 12th DAC. I ran the Pontus by itself for an awhile. Adding the Hermes was worth the cost imho. I purchased it used as well, from TMR, so I figured it was worth the expense even if it didn’t work out as selling or returning it would not have been difficult. However, it improved clarity, soundstage depth and width, imaging and transients. It was not a night and day difference but, at least to my ears, a very noticeable improvement. I would expect the Iris would likely add something similar to your system.

I agree with @soix ​​​​@fuzztone that the best solution would be to get a good streamer.  I've not done that due to being addicted to the interface for both Tidal and Qobuz via MacBook.  I had a WIIM Pro streamer for a day but my laptop into the DDC/DAC sounds better than the WIIM into it.  The WIIM software was pretty good but the Mac interface is so much better.  I will likely get around to trying a high end streamer to see what that does but at the moment I'm happy with my setup.

I’m going to contradict myself some relative to my last post.  I think the DDC is a good upgrade especially if you use a laptop to stream.  Many here state that computer audio pales in comparison to a good streamer, not necessarily expensive just good at streaming.  That has not been my experience.  I had a HiFi Rose 250a which was a great unit but not quite as good as my laptop to DDC/DAC.  I don’t know at what point a quality streamer would eclipse my current digital stack but I haven’t found it yet.  Streaming with a WIIM Pro did not sound as good as the laptop, both connected to the DDC/DAC combo.  I did use the optical input for the WIIM vice USB for the laptop, so it’s not exactly apples to apples.  Would a Bluesound, Aurender, Innuos etc sound better than my laptop?  Maybe, even likely but I’d still run the signal through the Hermes so it’s not like I’ve spent money on something I wouldn’t use. The Iris is $550 the Hermes is $1300.  At this point I think I’d need to spend two to three times the cost of the Hermes to better the laptop.  The DDC will serve you well and would work with any streamer upgrade you might make.