New to audio. Is there a good DAC that can produce layers of sound?


One of the Youtube audio reviews I watch as a beginner in audio system is Darko

He says during the Chord Qutest review that this DAC can produce layers of sound which is great

I kinda understand what he says because from my very first audio setup, which I returned due to awful sound of music this week, I could still feel some layers, maybe 2, from Post Malone’s song Deja Vu. Only, there were 2 clear layer, from 16bit 44.1 kHz signals from Sonos Amp, one very far back near the speaker and one right next to my ear. I thought it was amazing though. The speaker was SVS ultra bookshelf.

Now those are all returned to the seller, and I am looking for something more clear, musical, and awesome. So, the Qutest is one of the DACs I want to try.

But, if there is any DAC you, as a more experience audiophiles, would like to recommend to me for having great sound effect, could you please list some names? with brief description of the sound?

The price range I am looking for is about $1.5K or less. I prefer less. Used items included.

I am on a journey to setup an enjoyable sound system for myself and would like to see what others like.

Thanks!

K
yggy1
You might consider the totally reengineered Sonos Connect made by magna hifi, www.magnahifi.com. If you are like me and appreciate the ease of use of Sonos, but are not impressed with the quality of the sound, you might appreciate the substantive changes that Magna Hifi makes to the Connect, making the sound greatly improved IMO. 
How about a streamer with a nice DAC??
Audiolab 6000N



Hi-res, multi-room and DLNA support allowing wireless streaming from networked songs on NAS drives and PCs in multiple rooms of a house, the dedicated app also offers direct access to the likes of Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music, HD Tracks and Sirius XM.

It borrows from its siblings, utilising the ESS Sabre32 DAC as seen in the 6000A, and the isolated power supply found in the 6000CDT.

There is also a smattering of both digital and analogue connections.


mmporsche My budget for speaker is less than $2300 My new apartment living room is pretty tiny about...14ft by 13ft ish
If you are not using something soft further downstream from a Benchmark DAC1 then you may find it a little fatiguing. I have owned DAC1, DAC2, and DAC3. I would suggest a used DAC2. If you do not need a volume control in your DAC then Benchmark has a brand new DAC3 B for $1700.

I prefer a separate preamp or integrated vs a DAC with volume control (I have owned both types).

For a low cost you can try out the Peachtree Nova 150, 300, or 500 integrateds (includes a DAC) in the $1300 - $4000 price range. I use the Nova 150 in my office and it is rather good for the $1100 used I got it for. Just add speakers and a streamer like a Sonore microRendu (if you stream from a computer) and you have a Low Mass and Low Cost solution.