Should I upgrade from a Mac Mini to a dedicated server or should I upgrade my dac?

Thank you!
And if you have any thoughts on the dacs I mentioned or any others that I should consider please let me know.  I am trying to keep myself to a limited budget ($5k-$6k at the very max - preferably $4k or thereabouts) so I will probably look at a preowned dac.
I already mentioned that my priority is a believable soundstage- the other aspect I need to consider is brightness- both the Thiels and Omega Duo horns can become a little hot in the treble if not carefully matched with appropriate electronics upstream.  This is something I will need to look out for.

I have had customers have tons of issues with Mac Minis.  Literally, it created a network issue for a customer so his DAC could not get an IP address.  The mini had to be off whenever he turned on the DAC.  It is not my favorite device. 

Bricasti makes and awesome DAC.  It is very musical and one of the most engaging, enjoyable products I have heard.  I have not heard the Mytek.  The M3 sound bigger but is less refined than the M1 SE.  Bricasti is about dead neutral.  It is warm compared to many units (Chord, Weiss, etc...) but not warm.  

In the $4K range, the Canor DAC 2.10 is a nice unit and has a tube output stage.  It does not have a roon end point incorporated into it.  Highly detailed and a touch warm, it is a nice and easy sounding DAC to listen too.  

The Rockna Wavelight is another good option for a new DAC that will give you a warmer sound profile.  It also lacks a roon endpoint and is a little pricier ($4950 list) but stunningly good.  It is a R2R and delivers what most people think R2Rs should sound like.  

I have never heard a Mytek product outside of an audio show and have not POV on them.  Aqua is supposed to make a great DAC.  It is definitely warmer and would do the job for you considering your speakers.  This definitely should be a brand you should consider. 

I am a dealer for Bricasti, Canor and Rockna and have listened to all of the units extensively.  I am not a Mytek or Aqua dealer.  

we are a server importer and sell many dacs as well

if you are using ethernet to an endpoint you would not hear an appreciable difference upgrading a seperate streamer or Roon core

however if you are directly connected to a dac then you would hear a large difference 

as per dacs vs streaming dacs it depends on model and price

we sell chord aqua atoll bicasti mytek t+aand are demoing  the new Mojo

the aqua dacs are particularly good and 100% modular and upgradable 

our 432Evo servers produce amazing sound via usb and when used via usb into a suitable dac can easily rival a very expensive analog  rig

Dave and Troy

audio intellect nj

432evo us importers

da

mytek’s ime are on the bright side of neutral, lack ultimate treble refinement, can often cross the line into being a little harsh

i agree the chords in the sub $5k price range present a little lean and forward sounding, one needs to get the m-scaler in front in order to get the uber-refined yet specific and dynamic sound that is what chord brings at its very finest

i’d suggest the msb analog dac w powerbase, available around $5-6 grand used on a good day, is the warmest (yet still holographic and well detailed) toned dac in my stable, the weiss 501 is closer to the m scaler/hugo tt2 combo in tonality (dead neutral, not warm nor lean, ultra pure and refined) - the other slightly warm sounding dac that i liked, but exited, due to ergonomics rather than sound, was the mojo mystique v3, which when available falls within the op's stated budget

side note -- i am currently trying a bricasti m1se and a musetec 005 against the references above (weiss, chord stock, msb), i have not tried rockna nor aqua

i just own these dacs, i don’t sell them...