I agree with Bob in his recommendations above about the Ayre Codex (often available for $1200 used) and perhaps about the Schiit Gungnir. I have had 5 DAC's priced under $1K and found no significant difference in their performance. However, I got a used Ayre QB-9, retailing years ago for $2600, and OMG, I finally could see what DAC devotees were talking about. It yields analogue-like sound! I mostly stream Tidal Hifi and the addition of the Ayre has been amazing. I get impression that the Ayre Codex is as good or better than the QB-9. The Schiit Yggy is universally praised and for good reasons, but costs over $2K.
My opinion is that the starting price point for excellent performance in a DAC is about $2K. As I said, my experience after trying a bunch of modestly-price DACs was that they failed to elicit the huge SQ improvement that I discovered when I got the Ayre QB-9. My take is that "you gotta pay to play" insofar as DAC's are concerned. All DACs function, but the pricier ones perform vastly better.
My opinion is that the starting price point for excellent performance in a DAC is about $2K. As I said, my experience after trying a bunch of modestly-price DACs was that they failed to elicit the huge SQ improvement that I discovered when I got the Ayre QB-9. My take is that "you gotta pay to play" insofar as DAC's are concerned. All DACs function, but the pricier ones perform vastly better.