What DAC upgrade made you say “DAMN, that sounds SO MUCH better than my last DAC”?

Before I knew what I absolutely wanted when I was rebuilding my system about 10 years ago, I ordered a Schiit Bifrost and a subsequent multi-bit upgrade. I liked it and got comfortable with it as components changed, but when I really started to fine tune it I thought it would be time to lose the budget DAC. After some reading, the Auralic Vega was where I settled in and it was indeed WTF change with my CJ ET3SE & 2550SE. Palpability just jumped to a different level, as you'd expect and it was a very satisfying change. Now, I have the itch and I think I wanted to jump back into the world of Schiit, from whence I came and step into R2R via the Iggy.

Ive heard 2 versions of the AKM based DACs, RME and Topping, and neither sound better than the Oppo 205 ESS Sabre. Implementation may play a roll.

What I like about RME though is the functionality, especially right/left balance! Equalizer and loudness etc.

Are there and other similar DACs that have RL balance?

Apologies if this was already mentioned, but it’s important to consider DAC type. Depending on implementation, there can be "night and day" differences between a tube-based DAC, a delta-sigma style DAC, an R2R NOS DAC, etc.

dac architecture matters, but no more than other implementation items, most specifically power management, form and quality of output stage, dsp (if any), jitter management/reclocking

schiit makes r2r units that can sound too tizzy and shrill, ej at w4s can take an ess sabre application in his dacs and make them uber smooth and warm... the converse of the conventional wisdom...

so dac ’type’, meaning its architecture is NOT a reliable descriptor of the sound of a given dac

I didn't realize that any of the Schitt DACs sound tizzy or shrill.  But I have never heard one.

Just acquired the 'old school' Zanden Reference 4-box setup (model 2000 transport; 5000 Sig. tube dac- $44k combo when launched).  Best solution after 25+ years digital only, but as a 'dac only' limited in resolution to the newer stuff- but oh so relaxing and plain musical for the redbook cd fans out there...