can i get a significant dac upgrade over my Lumin d2 for 2k?

+1 for the Denafrips Pontus II DAC, though I have not heard the Gustard. I'm also a little over a week into testing a Denafrips Iris DDC feeding the Pontus, and yes does it make a very noticeable difference.......from a Node 130. Cost of the Pontus II and Iris DDC is $2,300.....I should get a report out this weekend or early next week.

I also can recommend the Holo Audio DACs, but they'll run you even more

Good for you Greg. It's likely to be a great sounding dac for you.

But this R2R craze  brings me to the following thoughts: Why would anyone who is so in love with analog sound would want to find it in digital? Point being analog will always sound different than digital and vice versa. Both can sound wonderful but in a slightly different presentation. I am 68 years old and never thought I would get into the digital world. Analog was it for me for 50 years and my 2,000+ vinyl collection. But since I have always wanted to live in the present, researching digital became inevitable. Boy, am I glad I took the dive this year. CDs came first and now streaming. What a wonderful world of discovery! All this to say if you really want to live with your analog sound, then stick to analog. If you want to explore the present and hear the wonderful sounds digital has to offer, go full digital. The R2R thing makes very little sense to me now and I regret having followed multiple advice received here getting me to purchase the Aries2. It did not work for me. But no big deal, it was easy to sell it. 

@baylinor

My quest for a quality dac is not about trying to replicate analog sound. For me it is just trying to have multiple ways to enjoy music any way I can get it. I still run my Nakamichi tape deck in my system and think it sounds good. Streaming for me has led to discovery of new bands I would have never found without my access through Qobuz and Austin Blues Radio station. The convince of putting on a stream and being able to sit for hours and enjoy it without having to leave my chair is nice. While this is my first attempt at a high end dac I have heard others snd will say to my ears streaming does come very very close except for drums. That just seems to be where digital can’t keep up. Granted I am not saying it is bad just vinyl is better here. Thanks for the reply and remember to enjoy and love the music not your system. Music will love you back your love of system will eat you alive!

@sgreg1 

Music first, system second, agreed and understood. However it would be nice if you post your system. It always makes it easier to understand why a member may think certain ways about anything audiophile they comment on. I try to be as transparent in my system page as I can so folks may understand better why I think certain ways about anything audiophile. The music is most important but obviously it is always system dependent . 

I’m also a little over a week into testing a Denafrips Iris DDC feeding the Pontus, and yes does it make a very noticeable difference

@vthokie83 Glad to hear your Iris is working out although I’ll say I’m not really surprised given the reviews and other users’ experience. My Iris arrives tomorrow from The Music Room and can’t wait to get it hooked up. BTW, what HDMI cable are you using and what length?

@sgreg1 Congrats on that excellent new DAC — I’m sure you’re gonna love it. Down the road do consider getting a DDC so you can take advantage of the Gustard’s i2S input as it can up your performance even more. Please let us know what you think if you could once the DAC is broken in.  What digital cable will you be using?  Try to go with at least 1.5m length if you can for better sound.