Seeking DAC using the ESS ES9038PRO, but not a streamer

Don’t have any experience with any of the above, but would probably recommend the Gustard X26 Pro if your budget allowed.

Or at twice the price, the Musetec DA005 is amazing.

What’s your price range? Agree you’re barking up the wrong tree just focusing on the DAC chip. That’s like choosing a speaker based only on its tweeter.  Does the Trinnov output i2S?

You are all correct. Thank you.

The price range can be up to $14,000 MSRP or more. I will probably spend that much or more. Westborn, thanks for the link and I appreciate your helping like that.

Please continue to chime in and help me out. The two Musetek (including the DA005 and 004) and one Ideon Audio Absolute were all I found before I posted.

This was my reasoning: I don't have access to hearing any sound or loaners and I want to own the DAC before they install the Trinnov for a 5.3 system. I did mention features I hoped to have on my future DAC unit. I did like the sound of the ESS Oppo I had, the ESS is already part of the Trinnov but a lesser ESS chip and ESS has a long reputation as being a designer of many DACs at many price points. I don't have the 2.1 HDMI Trinnov yet because 2.1 version is not on the market until sometime in 2023.

There is a big price gap between the Ideon and the Musetek and I was hoping to get a few more choices to focus on in that range. I live in a modest home that does not have space for a media room. I want to play my music and once in a while, a movie.

Not sure why you are married to that chip.  Looking at the list of DACS that westborn posted, I've heard some of those and was not impressed.

In our price range I think you'lre better with FPGA DACs.

But I realize that isn't the answer to your question and if you want to ignore my opinion, you owe me no explanation.

Jerry

DACs I've heard with Sabre chips have sounded bright and more "digital" to me. Basing a $14,000 or more decision based on an Oppo or a chip is not something I'd recommend to anyone.