Best DAC

I would look into DACs which are noted as being source agnostic or into splitting your budget for components such as the Regen making the rounds which filter the line between PC & DAC.

Personally haven’t tried the above however I have compared an Ultrabook as source compared to a tweaked performance tower and found the portable machine highly restrictive to the performance of my DAC. Were it more than an expirament I’d have immediately traded in my DAC!

In an attempt to level the playing field I added the same OS tweaks/playback software to the ultrabook; unlike the full sized machine the sound remained consistent through all the tweaks I made.

Your best bet is to find a used ARC Dac3.  You already have an ARC preamp and I assume you like it (as you should).  Thus, an ARC DAC makes total sense and will be an optimal match.

I've had the Benchmark DACs (still have the DAC1 as a headphone amp and previously owned two DAC2 HGC), but you can do a lot better.  For the money, they aren't bad, but a used ARC DAC3 will be far better. 

Just because Stereophile says Benchmark is "Class A" doesn't mean you're getting a DAC with anywhere near the same performance of other DACs that are truly Class A.   Trust me...I have an $11k Lampizator DAC and also had a $3k Wadia DAC and both made the Benchmark seem like Class C.

That being said...you can't overlook the source.  A standard laptop will put a ceiling on your performance that is tough to get around.  As someone mentioned, you can get things like the Regen or iFi USB 3.0 to help, but you also need something with decent processing power to avoid other pitfalls in computer audio.

Personally, if it's possible to wait, I'd save up for the $2k used budget range.  You could get a used DAC3 and/or many other previously $3k DACs that have been superseded....plus some tweaks to your server.  In the long run, you'll save money and have something closer to true class A right off the bat.

Thanks for the input everybody. I currently have the SP-6 pre-amp if that makes a difference. I saw the ARC Dac3 but I wasn’t sure how that would connect to the computer.

Would the ARC Dac7 or Dac8 be a serious upgrade from the Dac3? I know the 7 and 8 are USB capable.

1,500 for the Dac7 doesn’t seem too far off budget if it would be worth it. But are there any better options when we approach that 1.5 to 2K price range?

Also, is the Regen a piece that I would definitely want to integrate into the system? I’ll be using my laptop for a while before I invest in a dedicated music server, but it has decent power.

Thanks again

With asynchronous USB DAC computer speed should have zero effect on the sound - since computer is sending data without timing. Faster computer might even have negative effect by creating more of ambient electrical noise.

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Try IFI Micro IDSD if you are able...Its about $450. You will be pleasantly surprised me thinks.... Just keep an open mind and ears when you listen to it... You have to let it break in for at least 400 hours, then it really shows its full potential of state of the art sound, price be damned .... Don’t use preamp function thou for the best sonics....

How about to look Wyred 4 Sound Dac 2-se , it seems really good

You may want to look into the Bryston BDA-3 which just came out. It has all the inputs you would ever need, I have the BDA-1 and to my ears it sounds pretty   good. In fact I have the BDA-3 on order. It should  arrive the end of this month. I'm just moving up to the  latest. 

I'd stay clear of BelCanto.  I have a pair of BC amps and have had problems with them.  Called Bel Canto and left three VM's and sent numerous emails to arrange a fix - no response.  Went back to the dealer where I got them and the dealer dropped the BC line for ther same reason: they build but they don't support.

I second the vote on a Bryston DAC. My BDA-1 outclassed my Arcam FMJ23 player. And the  support from Bryston is outstanding! 

@labtec Would you say when it comes to the pitfalls of computer audio a DAC like the one I have which is the Denafrips Ares which has the famous https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/diy-interfaces/amanero-combo-384-digital-interface-usb-384khz-to-i2s-...

"Amanero USB Module, with DENAFRIPS redesigned and optimized circuitry, allow the Ares to be used as high-end DAC with computers / streamers. It supports 24bit/384kHz PCM data stream, and DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 decoding via asynchronous USB input. NOTE"

would it really make a difference in the quality of the signal if I purchase a Regen or iFi USB 3.0 ?

I have a Razer Blade i7 7700 HQ CPU which is connected via USB to the DAC. Thanks.

@reggy you should be fine.

I had the Amenero USB in my lampizator.

Since I posted this years ago, the biggest change is the performance of the server. I actually think the server/software is equal or more important than the DAC (assuming you start with a decent one).

The Regen has had some updates that now include galvanic isolation and better power supply, so those could be worthwhile depending on the weaknesses of the server, but it's hard to say.  I think they sell them with a money back guarantee, so it's something you can try.

@labtec 

Great thanks for the feedback, much appreciated I may consider it since there is the money back guarantee. 

I play PCM content from an external harddrive to laptop through foobar using SoX mod 2 resampler as an available DSP. I am new to getting involved with the chain but I look and ask around and get curious once and a bit.

I once tried feeding the Ares native DSD via HQ player but found it wasn't worth it as my Razer fans were spinning hard. 

I am not sure if I am missing out on something with my setup on the server/computer side assuming I don't change the upline components. 

I will probably just wait and save money down the road to purchase the Yggdrasil Analog 2 and call it a day but we'll see, I am very patient in enjoying what I have for now and becoming acquainted with my system before upgrading. I have studio monitors for now (Genelec 8040B 's) fed XLR to a simple passive POT. 

Just a couple other suggestions around the $1000 level.  

I had a BC DAC3 and DAC3VBS in my system on demo, and it was truly great digital performance.  But I have to say the improvement provided by the virtual battery supply (VBS) was not small and took the DAC3 to a MUCH higher level to the point that I view it as not optional.  Here's a used DAC1.5VB near your price point that I'd think would capture a lot of the performance I heard from the DAC3VB...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223196211466?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F7...

Since you're looking at the Yggy, I'll mention the Metrum Amethyst that is also a non-oversampling R2R DAC a little below your price.  It uses a good bit of their proprietary technology trickled down from their flagship DAC...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/123026758084?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F7...

I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed in the least with the performance of either.  Just another couple options to noodle over FWIW.  Best of luck in your search.