Better DAC then DA1 module in McIntosh C49 without braking the bank.

I have an MA8900 with the DA1 module.  It’s a good DAC but I purchased a Denafrips Pontus II 12th Anniversary and a Hermes DDC and am quite pleased with the outcome.  Those two best the internal DA1 by some good measure in detail, soundstage and imaging.

You might want to consider a Schiit Yggdrasil multibit DAC which, new, is right in your price range. 

In comparison to my vinyl, CDs, files and streaming sounds flat and unremarkable. 
 

Not at all surprising given you’re using a computer as a streaming source and a sterile, budget DAC.  You need both a new DAC and a dedicated streamer to really up your game, and continuing to use your PC for streaming is a non starter because it’s an absolutely awful streaming source.  I’d recommend the Denafrips Pontus ll DAC and the Innuos Pulse Mini streamer as the former is very natural sounding and the latter is a good streamer (and worlds better than your PC) and comes with an app that’s excellent both for sonics and ease of use.  Just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck. 

I got a C2700 with the DAC2 board and it was quite a bit better than the Schiit Audio Gumby multi bit i had prior. That said i now have a Chord DAC and its significantly better than the DAC2 board but it should at more than the total cost of the C2700 preamp.

I would look for a DAC2 board first its quite good for the cost and has HDMI E-ARC input as well if you care to integrate a TV into your system. Works very well and would be a good update from the DAC1 board. Other options others have already mentioned. 

I owned a Bryston BDA-3 and can say that it is a great sounding DAC. A good deal if you can find one on the preowned market.