How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?

@jl35 Thanks for the info. I like the Oppo because of its Tidal streaming capacity. What would you recommend for a better transport that can still stream?

@mastering92 Thanks for the comprehensive answer along those points. 

thanks for all your replies. Money and price were simply the easiest metric for me to use, having been immersed in analog and vinyl up until recently and dependent simply on the 105 before something hinted I should try a Gungnir. 

It’s going to be difficult to part with my 105. That unit is golden. Still, if a better transport can be had, then I can move the 105 to its duty as a blu-ray player in the theater system (i.e., the family room with the Onkyo).

@macg19 Unfortunately, money IS an object. Blah.

@ghdprentice Nice, and @jjss49, I'm not inclined to spend lots of money, relatively speaking, on a component just because it costs lots of money. My initial question was simply was better DACs (using money as a simple metric) would do for increased sonics. 

Like, I'm quite happy with my Oppo/Schiit digital end, despite people saying I could "do better" by improving/spending more on both components. I remember a listening session at another members' house several years ago in which his cd player cost more than my entire system at the time. But I don't remember the sound being that much more clear. Truthfully, I don't remember the sound at all. Sound, like taste, is a fleeting and illusory sensation. 

In case you're getting the wrong idea, I don't firmly correlate money with quality. Never have, really, for audio components. Case in point; I've loaned out my Herron VTPH-2A phono stage to a friend and have substituted into my system my almost forgotten Schiit Mani. 

I mean, yes, there is a difference in presence and space, but that little sub-$200 solid state is absolutely incredible. 

I guess my original question was either phrased incorrectly or has been interpreted wrongly. What I'm getting at is more technical for the most part: like, what can more expensive DAC's (which I rationally believe would have better design, parts and build) do for a signal that a much less expensive one can't? 

Also, @kairosman My system is probably well equipped to appreciate the Gustard. However, I'm quite happy with what I have. My original question was more rhetorical than applicable. 

@knownothing thanks for the thread link. What I read there corresponds to what I know about phono stages (which I'm way more experienced with than with DACs). Yet DACs, by their very nature, seem more complicated and technical than phono stages. 

@oddiofyl What else could you tell me about the Lab12? I've been intrigued by their products for a while. 

Here's a tangential question: Why does Tidal Master quality streaming through my Oppo/Schiit combo sound so much better than playing a CD through the same combo? I'm talking of identical releases of CD and streaming selection. 

@verdantaudio Thanks for the explanation and the relationship between the three factors. That's something I'll keep in mind when/if I upgrade. 

@stuartk Agreed - but I also use the Oppo for streaming and I don't want to lose that. 80% streaming and 20% cd