What direction with new DAC?

What about the Chord Hugo...and there's now a Hugo TT version (same DAC but designed for the home)? People have been saying for a while that you need to spend $7,000 or more to better it and many don't. A completely different chip set and approach which I suspect is going to alter designs going forward. I've just bought a Melco N1A and plugged it directly (USB) into the Hugo (chucked the streamer) and it sounds brilliant. I use the Linn Kinsky app and it works well. For the first time I've heard something that gets close to my vinyl system. My other components are Audio Research Ref 3 and Ref 110 with Sonus Faber Cremonas that I want to upgrade to Wilson Sabrinas. Just a thought.

Thanks. Actually looking at the Chord as well. Always near the to of everyone's lists.

Just an update. caught up in the holidays and haven't made a move yet. For a similar price to the Yggy is the Lampi Amber. Again, impossible to listen to. Anyone with experience listening to both or at least the Amber?

You would likely get a bigger improvement by improving your digital source to reduce jitter.. There are several ways to accomplish this, but your particular DAC has I2S, so a USBConverter like the Off-Ramp 5 that can drive this could be an option.. Also, replacing a computer or transport with a really good server like the Antipodes will make a further improvement.