DAC experiences?

Each time i read about a dac and the reviewer speak about "more details" i know now that this means especially for dac under 1000 bucks unnatural artificial timbre  experience ...

After 4 dac in trash bin  i got the message...

Most people had no idea what is a natural timbre experience...

The marketers either, but everybody know what is "more details" ...

A very biased person main arbiter of an audio site, sold to one American  Brand, call that once  "micro-plankton"  and he love it...

I prefer natural timbre ...

 Acoustics rules not the gear piece ...

Stephen, you might get more detailed responses if you’re able to articulate what you want this new (to you) DAC to do for your system.

Primary inputs, usability, etc.

I’ve not owned a Chord DAC, but to me they look like an ergonomic nightmare, and not sure I would want to use one daily. Your priorities are of course different than mine. As others have stated, the Chords may be best suited to systems that require thining out.

Over the past several years we have compared many high-end DAC's including the Dave, Terminators, Holo Audio, PS Audio Mk1 and Mk2.  In stock form the PS Audio MK1 and MK2 did not have the resolution to keep up with the top dogs however with the proper audio transformers and power supply mods We all feel there is nothing out there that will touch the overall sound quality and realism of the modified MK1 and MK2 including the new PS Audio PMG DAC which is having a rough start with lots of issues. We thought the new PMG DAC was very tubby sounding and just did not have that same musical realness the older series has.  The designer of the original two versions, Ted Smith was not involved in the new series and feel this has a lot to do with the inferior sound quality.

I don’t have experience with the other two, but I preferred several cheaper “Chi-Fi” DACs to the Chord Qutest. These days I put my money into speakers and speaker drivers where it really counts. I chuckle when I see a guy investing $4K+ into a DAC when his speakers are equipped with $100/each drivers. It’s akin to putting 93 octane fuel into a minivan with all season tires. 
 

Yes... Your other gear needs to be up to par to even hear how much better top end  DAC's can sound however worth every penny when you do and find a top end DAC that you like.

One can purchase a fully modified and restored Directstream MK1 "Signature Series PLUS" DAC with a full year warranty for under $3400 shipped.

You can also have the Directstream MK2 fully modified for less than $1500.

Not bad for a top notch DAC of this caliber.

I think the new PMG series DAC retails for $8500.