DAC UPGRADE

A lot of expensive DACS listed here and I have heard a few of them.

My next comment is for someone who wants to try something different and get sound like the $20kish DACs mentioned above.

Try a Schiit Singular DAC ($3500) + Schiit Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL preamp ($500) + iPhone Forkbeard app for volume.

I have not heard the Singular (or Byggy) DAC with a regular practical preamp, but it should be excellent. The Valhalla 3 is not a practical preamp. I now feel that the only way I want to hear tubes is via an OTL/OCL design. The Valhalla is the cheapest way to get an OTL/OCL otherwise, spend a lot more for an Allnic 15000 Signature OTL/OCL DAC + Allnic OTL/OCL preamp that is a better version of my Singular + Valhalla 3 + iPhone setup.

However, the best DAC I heard and one that has the cleanest and highest resolution of any DAC is the new imersiv D-1 at $12k. It sounds a lot different than the PlayBack Designs MPD-8 that I heard on a killer setup a few weeks ago. 

I own the Singular and imersiv D-1 DACs. I can better the Singular (by a bit) but not the imersiv D-1.

@kjl1065 

I currently have a Weiss Dac 204 with a Modwright linear power supply.  I have found that upgrading the DAC brings out music that I didn’t know was on the recording. The 2 contenders are the Meitner MA3i and the Berkely Alpha Dac Series 3. I am leaning toward the Meitner MA3i as it comes with a network card to allow for streaming.

Do you like the DAC204? I home auditioned one with a Lumin U2 Mini. I thought it sounded quite good. I decided instead to get a Weiss DAC501-MK2 and forego a streaming transport. The DAC501 has an ethernet input for UPnP and Roon support. Roon is all I need, so I didn’t bother to get a streaming transport. I bought a WiiM Mini for $90 just to add Airplay2 for the rare occasions I want to use that (e.g. for Youtube from my laptop).

I don’t know what your budget is, but have you considered the Weiss DAC501-MK2? It’s very significantly better sounding (and more capable) than the DAC204. It’s the best DAC I have ever listened to. It also has DSP built-in if you want to use that. And it has that network input for UPnP and Roon.

I’m really more of a vinyl aficionado, and the DAC501-MK2 is the most musical sounding digital I’ve ever heard. It’s very analog like, IMO.

I recently had a chance to audition the Berkeley Reference 3P and the Wadax Studio Player switched back and forth in the same system. Both are high end, top flight products and either would make me very happy.  I kind of assumed the Wadax would be the easy winner, but that was not the case. The Wadax was great, very natural, tonally dense sound, a bit more musical than the Berkeley. The Berkeley, however, was the most transparent, detailed sound, with pinpoint imaging that I've heard from a DAC short of the $300k monsters. To my ears, it accomplished this without in any way sounding bright or sharp-which was not what I expected. I listened to tunes that expose a bright or sharp sound, and the Berkeley was rock solid to my ears. Very impressed. 

OP  I have found that upgrading the DAC brings out music that I didn't know was on the recording.

The best DAC (or any audio gear) is the one reproduces the original music faithfully. Every gears I heard any audio gear that bring out new sounds are all about the sound. Not the music. Alex/Wavetouch audio

My dealer sent me home with a bluenode sound Icon to try and told me anything more would be throwing money away! Hard to believe a shop owner who also carries Lumin would steer me to the budget piece? I've read so much positive about the Chord Dave that I wonder if you guys think it still holds its own being over a decade old design?