Upgrading to a stand alone DAC

Would I hear a significant difference at this price point?

Aged and untrained ears are not going to hear significant differences.

But, the slightest difference can become quite significant for someone over time and dominate their psyche (most audiophiles might fall in that category).

If your budget is restricted to 1500, the Gustard R26 (the R2R version) is an incredible dac that often goes on sale for right under 1500 dollars...You could rip all your CDs, put them on a NAS and it will stream those files from your NAS, without the need for some extra streamer and cable botching things. Most stand alone dacs won’t offer you that capability..... Err...awful name though i know (rhymes with some bastard munching on custard), but if you can get past the brand name, it’s a good dac.

I'm a Gustard guy. I own two X26 pro and waiting for a new A26. From the reviews you will get more clarity with the A26 than the R26 but with none of the digital brightness of the X26 PRO, which is already at a minimum. The A26 sounds like the best of both world and I can't wait to get my hands on it Wednesday. The R26 would definitely be too dark sounding in my house of stereo, gone the r2r route before but not for very long. It's all room and system dependent.

@baylinor

My Gustard R26 is anything but dark. Not all lacking in detail or clarity. Not in my setup, anyway. 

@sls883

I have major amount of absorbers and bass traps in my house of stereo, plus fully carpeted, meaning I prefer Uber detailed equipment. Like no tubes. Been there, done that. Plenty of diffusing too, but the room construction does not react well to r2r. Glad it works for you.

@baylinor 

I do have a tube preamp, but it's not real tubelike. It's a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp. Solid state amp. 

I have selected cables, etc that work with the R26.

I think it comes down to personal preference. I think they are both good dacs.