New DAC, what should I look for?

Just like there’s people saying you can’t hear the difference between cables, or between amps for that matter... everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

It’s not a question about whether people are "entitled" to their opinion, right? I mean, that’s like saying they’re "entitled to their left hand."

This is about whether there is a way of testing so they can *verify* whether they actually hear a difference or they are fooling themselves.

Are people "entitled to fool themselves"? Yes, in the same way they are entitled to their left hand, their opinion, etc.

I went back and forth many times, controlling for variables, each time I changed DACs. I could hear a difference. I had friends change the DAC while I was blindfolded. Many trials. Then we switched roles. We all heard differences. Not perfect science but not just guessing, either.

Most people I talk to who want to move up from the PS Audio go in one of two directions if they are happy with it. 
 

The Meitner MA3i is going to be an elevation in just about every way while maintaining the same core sound.  It is DSD upsampling as well.  Two steps up would be Playback Designs MPD6 and it is a debate about Playback MPD8 vs EMM DA2i as 3 steps up and which is better is a matter of taste.  
 

Alternatively, I have people that go with Bricasti and the M1 S2 or M21 are noteworthy improvements over the DSD.  This has slightly tighter bass and maybe a hair less air in the treble compare to the Meitner.  
 

I have a lot of customers quite happy with both paths.  Needless to say I am a dealer for both but there are lots of us out there and do sincerely think either could work. 

@hilde45 We're in complete agreement. But I'm not going to argue against someone that thinks all DAC's sound the same. It's their opinion and I will just leave it at that.

Regarding the T+A DAC200.. I don't think the preamp is defeatable and I have no use of a preamp (the MasterSound Compact 845 is an integrated amp).

@audiojan We are in agreement. The phrase bugs me because the phrase "I’m entitled to my opinion" is a fallacy; it is used to preempt or dismiss arguments against their position; the phrase is asserting they have a right to hold their own particular viewpoint. This is a truism. The only interesting issue is whether one has a  right to think something based on evidence or justification. In other words, saying someone has a "right to their opinion" excuses them from the rational obligation of  justifying their belief. It's perfectly reasonable to avoid debating with people, of course. It may be too conflictual and unpleasant. But just to be clear, there is no "right" they are actually asserting.

Often when people claim a "right to their opinion" they are trying to hold a factually indefensible position or even suggest that everyone has an equal right to be heard on a topic when only one of the two parties has the relevant expertise to determine what is correct.