I have found that it is indeed possible to get some decent results with a DSLR, however (in my experience at least) *lots* of subs and long integration times are needed to bring noise under control.
Taken throughout 2013 with a modded DSLR (filter mod only, so no cooling) and dark rural skies
NGC5128:
http://www.astrobin.com/38483/
NGC5128 (as above but with extreme stretch):
http://www.astrobin.com/38484/
NGC6744:
http://www.astrobin.com/44546/
M83:
http://www.astrobin.com/38648/
NGC6559:
http://www.astrobin.com/48900/B/
NGC4038:
http://www.astrobin.com/40910/B/