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Best DAC for around $2,500 or less

What are your opinions on the best DAC for under $2,500?  Looking at the Schiit Yggy or many of recommend Denafrips so looking at their Pontus.  Any thoughts on how these two compare?  It might be misguided by I tend to think your getting a little more for your money with a direct to consumer company like Schiit and I know they are highly regarded for their DACS.  Anything else to look at in this price range? 
mvrooman1526
kennyc
1,526 posts
 
Another component purchasing strategy is to continue to buy used/try/sell until you find a DAC you like.  This will take time, effort, a little $ (shipping costs, tax..), but may lead you to audio nirvana.  
jackd
1,070 posts
 
For stereo output the Sonica and the 205 are identical.  The extra chipset and processing power only come into play with multi-channel playback
nquery
103 posts
 
Lampizator Amber 3. I have compared it to the Yggy and it's no contest. 
jrwaudio
346 posts
 
I'm very happy with my Exogal  Comet Plus

The Exogal Comet is considered a high performance digital to analog audio converter playing up to 32/384k and DSD.The Comet does everything l like my DAC to do, including balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, digital volume control and asynchronous USB input. I bought mine as a demo for $2,000 with optional power supply


mvrooman1526 OP
42 posts
 
Thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts and recommendations.  It's been an educational experience.  I ended up buying an Audio Mirror Trubidor III used here on Audigon just now.  For now, the Node 2i will be the streamer until I'm able to update that to a dedicated streamer.    What is your preferred method to hook up your digital source to your DAC?  From the Node it looks like my options are either Coax or Optical.  I think I'll go with balanced XLR's from the DAC to the pre-amp.  
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