Help me pick a Dac


Budget 4000

I currently have the latest version of the Bluesound Node and a PS Audio Stellar Gaincell Dac for the digital Frontend. I stream qobuz and flac from a networked drive.
The rest of system is a Backert Lab Rhumba 1.3 , Schiit aiger monos and Zu soul 6 speakers. Also have a Nottingham horizon turntable, Hana cart and Lehman Cube phono pre. I think the modest tt sounds more natural and holographic compared to my digital frontend so I think I can do better.
Also I’m pretty isolated as far as audio goes so I’ve only heard my own system and likely will have buy without an audition.

Stu

 

 

stu20

I was underwhelmed by the Stellar Dac/pre. I have a Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 which is amazing. Absolute Sound did a great review. Do a search. One is FS on US Audiomart for $1100

hth

Why not check out the schitt dac's since you have their amps? Plus they have 15 day trial.

@dwest1023 i like the amps but have had problems with other pieces from them. 
And the customer service reflects the lower price points. Just my take. 

I recently purchased both a Denafrips Ares II and a Schiit Bifrost 2.

I did NOT like the Ares at all, and I do love the Bifrost.

I also have a 10yr old Lynx Hilo, which sounds very nice, but very different from the Bifrost. Bifrost is more punchy & dynamic in the lows, sharper transients in the highs, but the Hilo sounds smoother through the mids, with a natural texture. Hilo also has A/D and had many routing functions... far more than just a DAC, it’s meant for studio use.

I have the Aqua LA Voce DAc as well as a Saturn audio. Both in the $4K range. both sound close.