i have spent much time with the pontus (and pontus ii) -- and also with the ares ii, as well as venus and terminator dacs
in their hierarchy the pontus is relatively unique in that it is voiced with the warmest, fullest midrange and midbass, while preserving the major denafrips strength of vast and specific imaging with a relatively smooth sound
i felt, moving up to the venus and the term, that the treble becomes perceived as being more prominent (if less grainy) in the overall balance of the music, and this is somewhat a result of the upper model dacs also having a slightly leaner midbass ’foundation’, so to speak
despite the slight but clearly noticeable grain of the pontus treble, i enjoyed it quite alot, and as a result, i kept it the longest among the dena dacs, and tried it in various forms/inputs (with a gaia later using i2s, for instance) as i felt its overall balance is the most pleasant in the line
alas i have sold all my dena dacs, moved onto what i think is stuff that sounds better overall, and has features and form factors more to my liking