Used DACs for sale - help me choose

If you can stretch budget to buy a new Gustard R26 or look for a used one possibly within budget, you will be happy for a very long time. There was a sale recently that dropped the price down to $1,500. No longer active last I checked. 

Also when it comes to R26, there are ways you can improve it even further once you're ready. Just make sure you like the R2R sound, and the R26 is not your average R2R. 

+1, I agree with the above choice of the Ayre CODEX DAC. This DAC sounds excellent and should be priced under $1,000.

See this link for an Ayre CODEX DAC

Get a Lampizator 

Anything by MHDT very musical

IMHO,  anything spent above $300 new for a dac these days and you reach the law of diminishing returns.  For instance,  a Schiit Modius $229,  or ifi Zen Dac Signature I or 2 $249 - $300 are such high value products, that it pays to listen to them before you go down the dac rabbit hole.  If you want a better dac you can always spend more. But at least give these a try.  😊