Analyzing DACs

I pair a JDS-Lab_Atom DAC to a Van Alstine Transcendence RB 10 preamp. The JDS is well-rated on ASR, is inexpensive, and sounds better than the DAC built into a HEOS2 box, for example.

I put the money into the Van Alstine. It is moderately expensive (that is, economical by audiophile standards 😉) and has proved to be an accurate and musical tube preamp.

ASR is horrible most don’t know anything , measurements are only good for so much nothing to do with sound  . I don’t like preamp is a dac separates are almost always better.

I have 2 analog setups to run along with 4 digital ones, so running a dac directly into my amp is not an option. Preamp is a must for me regardless of sound issues. Love my wyred4sound stage2 preamp.

How do more expensive DCS’s make a difference in sound quality?  If they make a difference what will you hear that is different and why.  It sounds like upgrading a DAC to improve sound quality is the first upgrade one should do.  I would guess Jason Borne would know how to answer this question.  

"How do more expensive DCS’s make a difference in sound quality? " Larry, a dac does not have to be more expensive to sound better. However a dac that uses better components and shielding should definitely sound better. Obviously you pay more for better components and shielding.