Advice regarding separate DAC purchase

@gjohns i have the MA8900 as well and I use a Hermes DDC connected to a Pontus II 12th Anniversary DAC. I find it to be much better than the DAC1 module in soundstage, imaging, smoothness with increased detail, transients and decay (pretty much every aspect is better imho). I do agree with @ghdprentice that you should consider something higher up in the Denafrips chain, like the Terminator, if you’re interested in their DACs. It’s also good advice to remain focused on the sound you want as opposed to the architecture of the DAC. Knowing what I know now I would likely skip the setup I have and go straight to the Teminator. I’m actually considering selling the two components I have now to fund a Terminator purchase. I do like the DDC though as it allows me to use the I2S input which I think also made an improvement over USB. There are many very good R2R DACs available. I love my setup but some might find it too laid back for their taste. Which is to say, finding the right DAC that integrates with your system and gives you the sound you want should be a priority.  The short answer is yes it is an excellent upgrade.  The question of whether it’s the right upgrade for you depends on what sound signature you’re looking for.

you suddenly have access to millions of albums at nearly zero cost, many of higher resolution, you end up asking… “what was I thinking? Why didn’t I do this years ago.

Absolutely.  A streamer is an essential component.

I would concentrate on the sound characteristics of the DAC and not the technology. Denfrips are highly regarded DACs for their price. I’ll let someone else chime in on the contrasting the two.

solid advice above from @ghdprentice

the op did not mention the rest of his system nor what his/her desire is for the sonic balance of the new dac being considered

the dena pontus is rather warm/rich but spacious sounding dac

just by the notion of the mcintosh gear mentioned in the op, i would think this may well be duplicative of the sound signature already being presented in the system

thusly, perhaps the op would benefit from a clearer, more upfront, livelier presentation -- which could be afforded by a chord dac (qutest or hugo tt2), an original schiit yggy, or a gustard r26 (which incidentally has an onboard streamer).... further up the price ladder, dacs from weiss or bricasti would also fit this bill

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.  Seems there's a consensus among you that this may be closer to a lateral move for the results I desire and would require much more expense than I initially intended to raise my experience with my CD collection.  I'm currently 66+ and I don't believe streaming is in my future regardless of the dearth of music that is available with that format. Geez I haven't time to listen to the physical media on hand 😆. 

😊. I’m 71… I see streaming a key part of my audio strategy because it is increasingly hard to get up all the time.

I didn’t have time to listen to my physical media either. Now, I virtually listen to nothing from the part. My world has opened up exponentially… that is a great thing. The best thing that has happened in music in my life. Your not dead yet… enjoy!