Use of Denafrips Iris 12th DDC with computer

Denafrips IRIS in front of Denafrips Pontus II made a significant improvement in soundstage depth and width as well as clarity and detail.  Now I now what a “black” background sounds like.. I’d estimate a 20% improvement, subjective of course. $500 well spent on a modest $20k rig.  You should also consider a dedicated power line with true earth ground and upgrade power outlets, another 5 to 10 percent improvement. With digital source, seems the cleaner the power and signal the better. 

Paul McGowan talked about the digital signal in recent Copper Magazine and the early Genesis Digital Lens, basically a DDC. System synergy is important and everything can make a difference. If you can hear it, it matters, if you can’t, it doesn’t. 

I agree with @jastralfu, I’m running a dedicated fanless silent mini PC with optimized settings, no extra programs other than iPad connectivity, fed by cat5 cable from industrial grade switch fed by optical fiber internet service streaming Qobuz.  PC connection to IRIS  with good quality USB, and IRIS to Pontus II by I2S cable.  Less than $3k in all of the above.  I think I’d have to spend double or triple thar on dedicated streamer a la Grimm, Aurender, Lumin, etc., to get the same performance. Really just personal preferences and choices.