Looking for a $1k DAC that delivers?

I'm new to DACs. I began with the HRT Streamer II+, and followed that with the Centrance DACmini. I was able to audition both. They are both good DACs. The Centrance in particular is excellent in the area of clarity. I only used these first 2 DACs with a Toshiba laptop however, which I no longer have. I wanted a weightier sound than I was getting from either DAC otherwise I would likely still have one of them. I recently got the Eastern Electric MM DAC Plus and it's still breaking in after 5 days. I have to say that it's made a bigger improvement in the sound coming from my speakers than any digital device I've purchased. I've owned many cd players but none of them have affected the performance of any speaker I've owned like the Eastern Electric MM DAC PLus. (separation of instruments, clarity, weight, dimensional sound, improved soundstage) It's running via coax. When I purchased this DAC, I new it was a gamble since there is no 30 day trial policy, but it's been well worth the gamble. Also, I predict that for anyone who does not like their Eastern Electric DAC Plus (which would really surprise me), I'm sure the resale value will remain high. It' my guess that this DAC will be at home in many systems. It has made me wish I tried DACs years ago. if I had, I wouldn't have gone through so many cdps. Good luck with your choice.

With the EE Plus there is a better sense of space, air and separation of instruments. There is more solidity, weight, low end, and resolution. The sound spreads out too and yet instruments are more focused. I listen primarily to jazz. Forgot to add that the EE Plus is more "involving."

SRZ88, based on everything I've read, if low end is "what you find missing in most dacs", then you may want to increase your budget to $1500 rather than $1k and get the Wyred DAC2. I wanted a DAC with more sonic weight and low end too, but the industrial appearance of the DAC2 is an acquired taste so instead, I went with the EE Plus. At some point, I may try the Wyred DAC2 though. The EE DAC Plus is solid from the mids on down however, apparently not as much as the Wyred.

Sleepysurf, I came very close to buying that DAC too.