A new dac?


Guys, help me out here.

My dac which I've been using for a number of years now is a Mytek Stereo192 DSD.

Came out in 2013, I think and was $1600 retail.

Still think it sounds good, but I've nothing to compare it to.

My question: If you are familiar with this dac or similar, what would I have to spend minimum to better it, and what do you think​​ will better it?

I enthusiastically await the responses of the cognoscenti. (Wanted to use that word in a sentence since I read it in Calvin and Hobbes!)

 

thecarpathian

@thecarpathian 

a quick story - 

when I was looking to upgrade from my old Bel Canto DAC, I got two DACs for a home audition - Chord Qutest and Mytek Brooklyn II. I chose Qutest. It sounded more natural and had a less forward presentation than the the Brooklyn II. I had two of my audio buddies hear my system with both DACs independently and both picked Qutest as a winner without me telling them what I liked. 
My system at the time was Rogue RP1, Rogue ST100, Martin Logan Montis. Source was old Mac Mini via USB. 

Doesn’t mean you would like the Qutest but it’s in your price range. 

Carpathian

Nice vinyl rig you have already!

Meanwhile, there's a Signature version of your Belles Aria that pushes out 125wpc @8 ohms and 235wpc @4 ohms. That should be plenty of headroom in your setup. If you like your amp's sound signature, maybe it can be upgraded. Just a thought

Streamers are the one major component with the least bearing on the end sound. Why not get a Wiim Ultra;

My experience deviates from yours. The digital front end is far more important—just like the DAC. The Wiim Ultra sounds fine, but only fine. I owned it for a long time, but it won’t be considered a ‘decent’-sounding streamer (using digital out) unless it is paired with a good DDC.  If you really aim for budgetary gear, get Node Nano instead.

I later acquired the Volumio Rivo Plus, which is in another class above all budget streamers, including the Ultra, iFi Zen, and even the Node Nano. Don’t just take my word for it—cross-check with professional reviewers such as Hans, Tarun, iiWi, Passion for Sound, and others.

The clock and the cable are also critical for achieving true audiophile-grade sound.

My system at the time was Rogue RP1, Rogue ST100, Martin Logan Montis. Source was old Mac Mini via USB. 

I thought you had an Aurender N200—or at least that was my impression—since you were advocating for Aurender and mentioned this particular model, @audphile1, if my memory serves me well...

@devinplombier , I think using the Aria as a pre going into the Stratos might be fine. Keeping the sound signature of the Aria combined with the power of the Stratos should make the 20's sing.

@audphile1 ,  my Mytek is a mastering dac I believe, so I'm guessing that implies it's really neutral. Want to try a dac with a bit of warmth. An R2R would do that, correct?

Carpathian, have you auditioned the Holo Cyan2? It's an R2R DAC, and it has got a lot going on for the price (which is a bit above your budget).