How much should I spend on a new DAC

cele,

To address your question- $2-$3k will get a DAC that

keeps up with your other gear.  There is a DAC du Jour 

introduced every week so I am not going to suggest anything

in particular. Many good choices.

You have some very musical gear, congrats!

I use the Innuos Zen3 streamer which is a No-Dac, 3 box solution

I love. I also use the INT25. If you listen loud -80db+ 

and have a larger room -over 400 sqft- you may benefit 

from a bigger amp. 

Keep us posted please.

@adg101 I’m glad you’re happy with your sound, but I’d suggest trying this R2R DAC, and if it’s not a big improvement just return it. My bet is it’ll be very interesting if nothing else, and my bet is you keep it. Like Wilson speakers it excels at 3D imaging/soundstage so could be some good synergy FWIW.  And I agree, get a streamer before looking at a DAC — it’s a total game changer. 
https://smile.amazon.com/Musician-Pegasus-Decoder-DSD1024-Amplifier/dp/B0891SPSWJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=K4EGCAEP620D&keywords=musician%2BPegasus&qid=1674189817&sprefix=musician%2Bpegasus%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1&th=1

+1 @sgreg1 is spot on, the Gustard R26 is truly the only 'unicorn' DAC I've yet had in this crazy hobby, replaced my Terminator II, also that frees up your funds for a good ethernet switch + fiber optic isolation kit, which will give you almost as clear uptick in SQ as the R26 - and don't forget to spend freely on good cables, EVERYTHING in a digital source chain is important IME.

@celestial__sound

Hi - my system is pretty similar, broadly, and I’m running a MacBook with Roon/Tidal as my source.

When I upgraded from a DAC comparable to the Pro-Ject, I went with the Benchark DAC3, and am delighted with the choice. Hadn’t anticipated the difference would be so tangible and immediate. I don’t feel any desire to search further.  Had the same reasoning on budget, btw

I use Tidal, and decided I could live without MQA given how good the Benchmark is. Haven’t missed MQA (or, said another way, I’m so pleased with the sound that I don’t really care about further experimentation)

Returnable if not to your taste (if purchased as an amazon prime member)

(I Kimber Kable for everything (their second tier up) - figure it’s well built with good materials, and that’s enough mental investment in cabling for me)

Let us know what you decide, and enjoy!

@soix 

Thanks for spending time talking to me about the values of the r26. If you read all the reviews on the Amazon link you provided, you will see a couple of very negative ones regarding obvious sound issues probably due to some manufacturing problems. Understandable since r2r is a brand new thing for Gustard. And it's not the only site where I heard of these issues. I will be patient and wait another year, when my pro26 warranty runs out, before I may give it a try. Those issues will likely be resolved by then.