How much should I spend on a new DAC

Lumin U2 Mini and keep your Pro Ject DAC .

Roon ready
 

2400$

check out the Denafrips Pontus and Venus - and the listed price is Singapore dollars, about $1900 and $3200 USD...the Pass is a great amp and puts out way more power than it's Class A rating would suggest...

I’d say your source should be on the level of your amp and speakers.

I use Bricasti M3 DAC with a built in Roon compatible Network Player. Since you are using your PC as a roon core, you can kill two birds with one stone with something like the M3 - upgrade the DAC and get rid of a computer as a streamer. The improvement will be very substantial.

Check out Heed Audio, PATHOS, and TEAC. Impressed with them and great sound quality/tonal accuracy etc.

@celestial__sound

I don’t expect to hear day and night difference when I’ll upgrade the DAC

With the right streamer & DAC there should be a major improvement, but then cleaning up power and the right cabling will again improve things. Maybe visit some dealers and get an idea of where you want to go…not what you want to buy. Great buying from a local dealer, but take the money consideration out of the equation when shopping for where you want to go with your system.