Low Cost DACs

You do not mention how much is too much. However, at around $1200-$1400 you can get a used Benchmark DAC2 HGC which is both an analog preamp and DAC. I owned it for about 5 years and it was great for the price. I upgraded to the DAC3 and it was not something I recommend if you already have a cheaper DAC2.

You say you do not use a DAC too much as a source. That is a shame since today you have almost every album created over the last 50+ years available to stream from various streaming sources. Spending a little coin on a DAC today will serve you well for a very long time.

I also suggest a used Sonore microRendu for about $500 (or less) to stream your music from your laptop to the microRendu and then, via USB cable, to your new DAC. I would say this Sonore microRendu is even more important that the DAC. That is save some money and get a cheaper DAC but get a microRendu to get your laptop’s music to the DAC. It will be a massive improvement. I know, because I used to stream directly from a PC into a DAC. I currently use a microRendu and will move up the line for my next system.

Edit. I just saw your post above about the $$ you want to spend. So forget the Benchmark DAC2., but I encourage you to research the microRendu. Tons of info on the web about this beautiful streaming device.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits-and-bytes/audiophile-style-products-of-the-decade-r865/

Thanks yyz.The microRendu looks like something I would/should want! I checked out their website and this is a cool piece of audiophile equipment. I need to give this some thought. As I stated, I mostly use the OPPO and Vinyl at this point. But the upgrade bug has caught me once again. Just spent over $2k on a new camera so this may have to wait a couple of months!

Why not an endgame dac at low price, especially used : Starting Point Systems dac Nos TDA 1543 +internal battery.... Minimalistic design, organic sound, low noise level... It is my endgame paid 20 bucks on Ebay which can be bought used around 100 bucks... 

I forgot to mention this DAC.

https://www.denafrips.com/ares

https://www.vinshineaudio.com/product-page/denafrips-ares-r2r-dac  
  price is in Singapore dollars, so USD is much lower priced.

Cambridge DacMagic for 75 is a great little unit.  Personally, instead of using a laptop with pandora I have found that using my cell with Tidal gets much better quality sound and I can download as much as I want to my phone.  And you can take the phone and dac with you anywhere.