Best DAC / Budget


I think this is a gain issue between my analog and digital sides - but I just don't know enough
I hit a wall with the digital side yesterday
I generally listen on the lower side of listening levels
Yesterday I came home and decided to see what this rig could do and put it through it's paces on both the analog and digital side.
I'm playing vinyl on a Nottingham 294 space deck with a 12" tone arm and a Lyra Delos cart - through a EAR 843 tube phono stage - line input on a Rogue Cronus Mark I - KT120 tubes - bypassing the Rogue phono stage.  It sounds just completely glorious. I'm very happy with it.
Digital is a different problem. I've always understood this gear was meant as place holders - they got the ball rolling.
I'm streaming from Tidal, through a Pro-Ject Stream Box Ultra 2 (ethernet cat 6 hard wired to a router), through  a gifted Schitt Mano 2 DAC.

The Problem:
Analog completely surpasses the digital in every way
Digital - turning up the volume (to very high levels) only seems to result in filling in the low register and not actually increasing the volume.
I'm fully aware I am comparing a DAC to a Deck which costs many times more.

Looking for recommendations for a separate stand alone DAC which complements the analog side and for an idea of budget.
Thanks everyone







smaarch1
Mani DAC, no wonder there are problems! Modi is a Phone amp!

If you are looking for the best DAC for the buck is a Bifrost2! We have done a blind test with DAC’s up to $5k in price. Bifrost 2 won all test every time.

For $2800 delivered and not much competition just do a search 
on you tube or online the Denafrips Venus , superb dac thst beats much more expensive dacs build like a tank precision R2R  dac.
The Audio Mirror is too laid back. Try an RME ADI2 Dac Fs. Put it on the nos filter and adjust it for your preference. About 1200.00 it sounds fantastic. Order thru Amazon and get 30 day money back. You owe it to yourself to try it.
Denafrips Ares II , superb R2R DAC, superb musical dac that just makes me want to listen all day long.