Is there such a thing as a FOREVER DAC/streamer?

The OP actually gives a very good reason for not breaking the bank on a streamer/dac.  If you spend $20K on the latest hot streamer, that may put a crimp in your ability to upgrade for a while.  As he noted digital technology changes very fast, and they greatest innovations tend to trickle down fast as well.  Todays innovation at $20K may be largely reproducible for a fraction of that price in a year or two

@gpixels ,

As your DAC is inside of your integrated amp, you won't be able to upgrade, unless Hegel introduces new firmware.

As DAC and streaming tech is moving at a rapid pace, I have no doubt that much of what is now 'state of the art' will be bypassed by newer tech.

That being said, you'd need to spend a bit more money to get a significantly 'better' DAC than what you now own.

I plumped for a Brinkmann Nyquist, and I find it to be quite capable- so much so, that I consider it my last purchase for quite a while.

Bob

I'm wondering the same thing---looking to upgrade from my Marantz ND8006 streamer/CDP. It's been good but would like to move up to an AURALiC or Lumin.

One opinion here - No. There is always something to improve and advance the state of the art. I purchased a five year old DAC that was rated A+ at the time. Now it's not even in the competition. I think it's great, but will probably upgrade in another 2-3 years. 

“At the end of the day, DAC is a digital product.”

With that outlook, don’t bother to waste your money on an external DAC. You are only adding an expense of power cord, digital cord for not much gain. If you can’t help wondering, buy a DAC with a return policy to scratch your itch :-)