A reasonably priced DAC upgrade from Schiit Gumby

Another option I forgot to mention would consider is the Black Ice DAC, tube output stage.

If your like the warmer/fuller sound, you are pretty much stuck with the Gungnir/Yggdrasil line of Schiit dacs. Even the cost no object MSBs, Esoterics, Vermeers, etc, will sound anemic to you, i.e., you are done, i.e., you have your "end game".

(I just bought the Yggdrasil again for its beauteous chunky warmth after selling it a couple of years ago ).

P.S, You could try some tube dac and determine if it gave you some rotund goodness (without sounding like a piece of crap), i.e, without losing all the Schiit’s detail. Schiit’s multibit dacs are indeed special.

I tried the Gumby and returned it. The relay clicking between tracks when streaming drove me nuts. I ended up with a Denafrips Pontus II. I know you didn’t like the Ares, but to my ears, the Pontus II with updated firmware sounds very natural and not digital. Note that I use mostly the I2S over HDMI input, but the coax input sounds great, too. Under $1800 USD. I think it’s a bargain, built like a tank, and my version isn’t as upgraded as the current one.

I’d send it in for the multi bi upgrade. It’s much smoother and has a more 3D presentation. I loved mine when I had it. Took a much more expensive DAC to out perform it for musicality.  Chord would be my next suggestion. That’s where I ended up. 

@gemoody Interesting idea. I'm hesitant insofar as adding another element into the signal path. 

@glennewdick Yes - that's def. an option