Opinions On DACs Around 1,000$

This is one of those topics where you will get a ton of “buy what I bought” responses. Not always super helpful.

I would back up and start with your room: create an accurate diagram of your listening space with accurate dimensions, windows, doors, your speaker position, your listening position, materials, sound treatments, etc.

Then make an accurate list of your current gear with current and used market prices. Are you happy with your speakers, amp, pre, turntable, CD player, streamer, etc?

If you had to start from scratch what would your total budget be? Do you want a lean minimal box system for streaming only? How about playing from your own digital library? Do you play records? Are you into playing with computer tech? Will other people in your home be playing your system as well?

Figure this out, take your diagram and try listen to showroom systems that are in your budget. Get used to what an $$ system costs. Then audition $$$$ & $ systems above and below your budget. Only your ears will tell you where value ends and “silly money” begins. Be open to some used gear if it has a long shelf life and is reliable.

You might decide to keep all your current gear or you might decide to sell it all and start from scratch? Don’t pressure yourself. Make this a fun mission: the more you listen and the more you study the better you will feel with your money expenditure.

If you can try to listen to both analog and digital sources of the same music. Is there a difference? Some people love detailed perfect to their ears sound. Others find the same gear irritating and too clinical sounding. Again, only your ears matter!

Speakers are a good area to "move upwards", but that $1000 won't go too far in that component area.

I'd put the Musical Paradise mp-d2 (mk1 or mk2) on your research list. The beauty of its design that its fully user upgradeable through output tube, rectifier tube, capacitor, and even chip swaps. This way you can tailor the sound to your system without having to buy and sell complete DACs. They can be found used for $600-$1000 depending on upgrades, and you can upgrade as your budget allows. There's a large following and thread on audiocircle in the discless circle.

I no longer own one , but would be happy to plop another into my system. There are differences in dacs, but the price usually rises exponentially. In my case nearly 5 times what I had into the MP-D2.

I understand everyone wants to know the rest of my system but I intentionally left this out to try to focus the discussion. I find although people are always very helpful in there replies things can get off topic. I’m really just trying to get a better idea where value lies when it comes to digital. Things like the Absolute Sound calling a Pro-Ject pre box s2 near state of the art, as well as Stereophile giving the Musical Fidelity V-90 a class A rating really make me very skeptical. I find these reviewers generally make spending more money seem the right way to go naturally.  The class A list seems to only climb higher and higher in average price.  So when they imply that a few hundred dollar component is at that level I feel it’s worth noting.  Im really not looking for all of the suggestions of which dac is best, but more of a where is it best to invest my money. I am drawn to older designs myself. I’ve always felt a great sounding piece of gear in 2015 will still be just that in 2021. Yet many seem to think the other way, especially when it comes to digital. I’d love to hear from someone who has upgraded a high priced older design for a new design at a fraction of the price. Or any other actually experience with older vs newer designs. 

If you need MQA in a DAC,  that will limit your selection. 

Some streamers will do the unfold but the bluesound will not do a full unfold within that streamer.  I don't know about other streamers.