DAC upgrade


Let me start by saying I am a vinyl guy, but digital streaming, particularly if I can achieve the right sound has many advantages. My 2 channel equipment is as follows: 

Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar CV4003, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node, Marantz CD6007, Schiit Modi Multibit 2. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.  
My weakest link (I believe) is my DAC.

My desire is the best sounding DAC below $2,500, but certainly don’t mind spending less. i want the DAC to be as good as my best current component. I don’t need a DAC with preampliflication, don’t need balanced, don’t need headphones, however I would not eliminate a DAC with superior sound with those features. I do prefer a small form factor.  
My current top contenders are:

Chord Qutest, Schiit Yggy, RME ADI-2, Topping D90 III.

The Chord checks all my boxes… reviews, sound, form factor, no unneeded features, etc and don’t mind its quirky lights… but, looking your thoughts/ recommendations.  Thanks!

 

 

128x128signaforce

@nagel 

Thank you! This thread was very useful for me. 
The Aries series is definitely on my shortlist! Will then downgrade my node & MM2 to my second system in the family room… Yamaha AVR with Goldenear soundbar…no vinyl, currently compact HT, using MusicCast for streaming, and internal AVR DAC.  Will be a huge step up. Thanks!

@signaforce I had a Quetest  with Auralic Aries G1 for several years. Great combination. I used a WiireWorld Platinum USB.  These days Auralic Aries G2.2, Chord Mscaler and Chord TT2. Using Shunyata Alpha NR v.2  PC on the G, and Shunyata Sigma USB and 2x Sigma v.2 spdif BNC’s for the Chord Dual input . setup. And yes it sounds e’ffing amazing 🤩 

Just bought an Aurender N150 & look forward to its arrival. I think it will be a great match for my system & my Chord. Thanks again!

I’m now done… at least for now. 😏

I sure hope you get the same reaction I got when I upgraded my streamer. Hope you don’t have the problem I experienced, where I was so impressed, that I went from a Innuos pulse mini to the pulse. Good on you for starting out on a good product like the Aurender.