Schiit Bifrost DAC (upgradable USB boards)
Used PS Audio Digital Link III (will not accept 24/96 digital music signals, I've heard this one and it was very good)
Music Hall DAC 25.2 or 25.3
Musical Fidelity VDAC MkII
Beresford Caiman
Cambridge Audio DAC magic
You might find a Benchmark DAC1 used for around $650-$700 if you're patient...this would be the non-USB, non-preamp, no-remote version...
In my research I have read all of the above DACs generally sound very detailed, some call that bright, but it depends on the system and the listener. DACs around the $1000 mark (Wyred for Sound, MiniMAX) get more comments about their warmth and how well they handle bass, their general musicality, etc.
My budget is around the same as yours, so I've been watching for a while. Also, the above are all solid state DACs, except the Music Hall, MHDT makes some affordable tubed DACs that get good write ups here on A'gon.
Used PS Audio Digital Link III (will not accept 24/96 digital music signals, I've heard this one and it was very good)
Music Hall DAC 25.2 or 25.3
Musical Fidelity VDAC MkII
Beresford Caiman
Cambridge Audio DAC magic
You might find a Benchmark DAC1 used for around $650-$700 if you're patient...this would be the non-USB, non-preamp, no-remote version...
In my research I have read all of the above DACs generally sound very detailed, some call that bright, but it depends on the system and the listener. DACs around the $1000 mark (Wyred for Sound, MiniMAX) get more comments about their warmth and how well they handle bass, their general musicality, etc.
My budget is around the same as yours, so I've been watching for a while. Also, the above are all solid state DACs, except the Music Hall, MHDT makes some affordable tubed DACs that get good write ups here on A'gon.