How much should I spend on a new DAC

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.

I had the project box dac and I have the pass int 25.  I now have the  totaldac d1 core and love it.  I would suggest a figure in the 5-6 thousand range minimum.  I would also suggest a R2R dac.

Gustard R26. Built in streamer end point , bluetooth, usb, coax, I2S inputs. BNC to add external clock. Most reviewers rate on par with any out there up to 6K. I have it and live it. Can’t give you a comparison as this is my first major dac. All for $1500! If you want to spend more add the external click and a fiber media conversion for the lan input.