Best DAC’S $5k to $15k

Try the Ideon EOS or the ION you will be shocked

I really love this comment from Lavornga in his review of this DAC: 

I bet some people are wondering exactly which DAC from ESS is inside the EOS and I’m not saying because it doesn’t matter (imagine going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and spending the entire day trying to figure out what kind of primer each painter used instead of looking at the paintings).

I think I’d like to listen to the Mola Mola

@axeis1 I don't think you could go wrong here

The world needs a new DAC shoot-out!

As many in this thread have alluded to, at this level it is about synergy and particular sonic preferences. 

I would love to see a shoot-out where various power cables and digital cables are swapped out on one DAC, and then the DAC's are swapped out while a particular power cord and digital cable remain in place.

I would bet the listening panel would sense more change with the former than the latter. 

And then we throw different streamer/players into the equation!

Absolutely, listen to the Mola Mola. It is the most perfect sounding DAC I have had in my system, but not the most musical, IMO, and so I sold mine.

However, even if you decide you like something better, it is so good that hearing it in your system will be informative. I suggest playing with the output voltage to optimize for your gear/system and not using the onboard streamer in your audition. Also, some say the I2S input is best so try that if you can.

The Mola Mola Tambaqui is a good DAC, but won't be everyone's preference. I guess I had unrealistic expectations and returned it after a week.