Do you recall "instant improvement" from your first stand-alone DAC ?

When I started streaming it was, like many, with a Bluesound Node 2i. I listened for a few months and while I enjoyed it, I knew there could be "more". I began searching around and decided on a Border Patrol DAC. It was in my budget and got excellent reviews.

Once it arrived I installed it and let it burn in before any serious listening sessions. When I did finally settle in to see what I'd gotten myself into, I was immediately struck by the larger soundstage and increased detail. Please believe me, I went into the session doing my best to avoid any confirmation bias but there was no denying the improvement. I even swung the cables back to my original configuration... So yes, in my case there was a definite improvement all around and I've never looked back. 

If there's a refund/return policy on your new DAC, I would compare your system with it in and without making written notes on what you're hear. It helps a lot!

Happy listening.

Compared to what ? Most DACs inside integrated amps 

Are poor even compared to a stand alone $800 dac 

This is now almost ancient history, but my first-and-only stand-alone DAC was the Muse Model Two, in its day a mighty fine sounding digital converter, and reasonably priced.

My first CD player around 1983 was a two box affair. Sounded better when I upgraded the digital cable. Since then I have had more than 20 dozen DACs in various systems. By and large you get what you pay for. I have bought some small DACs that sounded terrible. I always carefully researched at the level I was buying, so I got a good sounding one. I have has a $22K Berkeley DAC. In general, the more I spent the better they sound, with some performing a little better and some a little less good. In budget categories <$3K there is more variation because your are trading strengths for weaknesses. 

hey OP

all you mentioned in your post are exactly what i have heard. 

now, there are more nuisances in the music. details that are more clear and distinct

but let me be clear first, 1) that all depends on the quality of the DAC you purchased 2) the synergy of the system. 

you have a great dac but the reminder of the system cannot reproduce such detail. then nothing else will happen, a slight improvement maybe ??

OR. the dac you got is not any better.so the results may be marginal. really hard to tell the outcome. I wish all will be good as per your expectations