I can remember when people scoffed at the idea of a separate deck converter box. Audio fans would point out the fact that there was already a digital to audio converter chip inside the CD player. But what many didn’t understand is that by having a separate box for the conversion, the ability to extract more detail by peeling away some of the haze would improve the sound.
Well, now the next step has been taken by several companies. The idea of taking the digital signal and while still in the digital domain, converting it into a cleaner, digital signal, for lack of better phrasing, then sending it on to the DAC. Denafrips has done this with the Iris 12th generation. This unit which is housed in a case similar in size to their Aries II DAC line. The front panel uses the same, miniature red LED display for the input source of USB,and rates, as well as output rates. Finally, a button to engage an external clock. The back side holds five outputs Coax SPDIF via RCA, TOSLink, AES/EBU, I²S HDMI LVDS, and I²S RJ45 LVCMOS.
The core mission of the Iris 12th is jitter reduction. Jitter, that digital gremlin that smears transients and muddies the soundstage, is the bane of many enthusiasts in this hobby. Denafrips, with its deep understanding of digital signal processing, has deployed its proprietary re-clocking technology to vanquish this foe. The result? A digital signal that’s cleaner, more precise, and imbued with a newfound sense of clarity.
So how does this work, the signal is brought in through the USB input. uhat digital signal is filtered, cleaned up, scrubbed, whatever you want call it, and then re-reset in PCM from there. It travels into the deck I used the coaxial input. Now this conversion can happen from many different format choices, therefore, you are not limited to accepting only certain digital signal input codes into the Iris. This component takes in both the digital signal and the clock signal. These two signals are put into perfect alignment. In doing so the layers of instrumentation become clearer.
How does it actually work? Denafrips engineering team attacked the issue using a combination of FGPA DSP chip, temperature compensated crystal oscillators (TCXO), multiple low dropout voltage regulators (LDO), and a capacitor bank, as well isolating the digital signals. While I could rehash the details, instead I highly recommend watching A British Audiophile’s review. Tarun does an exception job at explaining in a clear, common language approach.
Listening
I hooked the Iris up into my system with a coming after my WiiM Ultra Streamer, and before the Denafrips Aries II DAC. It’s important to remember that the Aries II DAC is a resistor ladder design, otherwise known as an R2RDAC. The sound as described by so many is a bit more analog or warmer and rounded. Honestly, just smoother for my ears. One thing to keep in mind is to not turn on the clock button on the Iris. Unfortunately, the documentation with the Iris is pretty sparse so it was a bit of live and learn.
Immediately upon engaging the Iris, it was quite obvious that the sound became clearer and cleaner. Resulting in more space between instruments, more detail in the timber. The richness of a bassoon, strikes of the piano, were fuller. Cymbal crashes had a greater ring depth with more natural, expansive ring. Therefore, I can definitely say that something is going on here, and for me it was real positive. Like a really good steak, there is more flavor to savor.
Continued listening the Iris 12th revealed its subtle yet profound impact. The soundstage, already expansive, blossomed further, with instruments gaining a palpable sense of space and air. The background, receded into an inky blackness, allowing more nuances of the recording to emerge. The sense of “air” around instruments, a critical marker of high-fidelity listening, expanded in my small, 10ft x 11ft listening space. These can be credited to the removal of digital artifacts. The harshness that often plagues digital playback, a byproduct of jitter, lessened. Instead, the music flowed with a natural, organic ease, free from the digital glare that can fatigue the listener. This newfound smoothness translated into longer, more enjoyable listening sessions, where the focus remained squarely on the music.
Transient response, the ability to accurately reproduce the leading edge of musical notes, was also improved. Percussive instruments, such as drums and cymbals, gained a sharper, more defined attack, adding a sense of immediacy and realism to the performance. The micro dynamics, those subtle explosions in volume that convey emotion and expression, were also rendered with greater fidelity.
Of course, the degree of improvement will vary depending on the quality of your existing digital setup. If your system is already well-optimized, the Iris 12th may provide a subtle refinement. However, if your digital source or DAC is less refined, the Iris 12th can act as a significant upgrade, unlocking hidden potential and elevating your listening experience to new heights. With my Ares II DAC, the clarity improvement while not huge was noticeable.
Final Thoughts
The Denafrips Iris 12th DDC isn’t a flashy component designed to impress with superficial features. It’s a tool for the discerning audio enthusiast, a device designed to extract improved performance from your digital audio system. It’s a silent partner that works behind the scenes, ensuring that your music is presented with the clarity, precision, and musicality that it deserves.
In the realm of digital audio, where the pursuit of sonic purity is a never-ending quest, the Denafrips Iris 12th DDC stands as a testament to the power of meticulous engineering and a deep understanding of digital signal processing. At a current price of $549 before tariffs, it is a compelling argument for avoiding the DAC upgrade bug. Potentially, it can be a worthy addition from modest to those of us in the middle zone of high-fidelity systems, a device that allows you to delve deeper into the music and experience it with a newfound sense of clarity and immersion. For those of us without a massive audio budget, who seek the next in digital audio refinement, the Iris 12th is a compelling proposition.
I’m always searching for those components that transcend the ordinary. The Denafrips Iris 12th DDC, with its unwavering commitment to sonic purity, certainly fits the bill. It’s a device that reminds us that the pursuit of audio excellence is a journey, not a destination, and that every step along the way can bring us closer to the heart of the music. The Iris 12th will became a permanent member of my system, that is my highest recommendation.
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