Looking for a DAC $2500-$4000

I finally got my Schiit Singular (Byggy) DAC burned in with almost 200 hours. This DAC is now sounding excellent and the best Schitt DAC I have ever owned. That includes the LIM | MIB | OG. The OG is my second fav.

I am running this DAC direct to my CODA #16 amp. I am doing this via XLR and controlling the volume using my iPhone using a custom Schiit iPhone wireless system called Forkbeard. It is extremely useful.

I sold my Benchmark HPA4 preamp to buy an even better DAC than the Byggy. I no longer have a good preamp to hookup the Byggy so going direct to amp. However, I did buy great sounding preamp. It is the $500 Schiit Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL. Unfortunately, I blew up the Valhalla 3 and I am getting a replacement Valhalla 3 in a few days from Schiit. The reason I want a replacement is that the Valhalla 3 and the Byggy are amazing together. As I expected because OTL/OCL designs sound great to me.

The Valhalla 3 has 1 RCA input, 1 RCA output, and no remote, so it is not practical. However, the Byggy via Forkbeard has volume via my iPhone for my pairing.

Recently I demoed the $26k PlayBack Designs MPD-8 + $20k headphone amp + RAAL 1995 Immanis headphones. I like the Valhalla 3 + Byggy + RAAL SR1a phones better. 

The Byggy is a great achievement for $3500. The Valhalla 3 at $500 is a shocker.

I have owned Chord Qutest, Schiit ‘Gumby’,  Denafrips Aries, Metrum Octave, Gustard R26 and now Holo Spring 3 KTE. Of these the Gumby was a major disappointment, hardly better than the built in DAC of an Oppo103. The others before the Spring 3 were a mixture of positives and negatives. In your shoes I would lean towards a Holo Cyan/Spring 3 or a Denafrips Pontus as these will have a warm resolving midrange, will not sound analytical or edgy.

I have limited DAC experience but maybe I can contribute this. I currently have Tekton DI’s and a tube pre. I rotate between tube and SS amplifiers. I have an Oppo 105 in the closet so I know what the decoder sounds like. I currently have an original Schiit Yiggy ( A serial number ) with an updated Gen 5 usb card. I like the Yiggy having moved up from the Bifrost. Compared to the Oppo the Yiggy is better overall especially in tonal quality and it pairs well with my Tektons. I’ve recently remodeled and my room is more lively. Even with this room being too lively the SQ is still acceptable which to me means that the Yiggy maintains a smoothness that I like. I too am curious about a “ Better DAC “ but at a $2-3k price point I’m happy. Cheers , Mike B.  

@davide256 is offering good council.  His idea of pursuing a R2R DAC should deliver what you're looing for.  Good luck and cheers

@meambler +1 Denafrips Pontus.  I had a CXN V2 in my big rig, Willsenton 800i 845, similar to your Line Magnetic driving Klipsch Forte IIIs and Focal Aria 926s. As you note, very good SQ, “warm” smooth presentation, very non fatiguing hours on listening experience.  Upgraded to a Pontus 12th + IRIS DDC. HUGE improvement, same warmth, smoothness but with massive soundstage, much greater detail, but still non fatiguing beautiful musical presentation.  
 

The CXN is now in smaller rig, Cary Audio 300B SEI driving Klipsch Heresy IIs where it will stay.  No plans to sell or upgrade there. Still enjoy its synergy with those components.  But the Pontis + IRIS in big rig, whoa!! If you like the Burr Brown chips in the CXN, you’ll love NOS R2R DAC sound.