DAC experiences?

I upgraded from the PS Audio mk1 Directstream to a Mola Mola Tambaqui last year.  I listened to both with an audiophile friend and found the PS Audio compared favorably with the Tambaqui. It was still a worthy upgrade but I was impressed as to how the PS Audio compared to the Tambaqui.

if you can get a used mk1 unit, go for it.  I doubt you will be disappointed.

Topping and smsl have some good dacs starting around 1000 usd 

OP

I owned the middle tier CHORD products in the years past and after listening to the Denafrips, I made the switch. I did NOT own or heard the Dave

But generally, the CHORD has a distinct "house" sound. it's very detailed and too clear that others here say its clinical. IF that is what you are going for, then get the DAVE as it is their flagship. i have not heard the PS audio, but they do have a trial period. I highly suggest that you take that into consideration. 

As others have posted above, some have posted terrific experiences with Chord, and I believe it. It's all about system Synergy and what you want to hear. 

If Hidizs pro80  (which is good as a DAP) or  the Douk Q11  chinese dac is not very good for "timbre" natural perception... I doubt Topping or SMSL  low cost dac will do better...

(Most reviewers had no idea what is timbre natural experience or are liars if i judge them from the review of the Douk Q11 after which i purchase it because my SPS dac was broken. I tried linear power supply, better cable, Buffer and filters, nothing transform this timbre dac experience in my headphone or speakers in natural timbre not digital timbre )

I love the Douk pre-amp tube and equalizer  T8 , price ratio quality is over the roof here ...

Reading this :

I’ve heard the Cord, and demoed the Holo May both sounded analytical and thin to me.

I am afraid to invest near 1000 bucks in not so good dac...

For his price i will die probably with the Starting point system  NOS battery dac TDA 1543 which i could not really criticize in my low cost speakers and top of the world headphone AKG K340 ...

I am 74 ...

From my experience, the lowest cost high end DAC is the Schitt Yggi+. In my opinion, the very best one they have made was the Yggi+ OG. Unfortunately, they can no longer make it. The other 2 models they now have, the LIM and MIB are good but not as clean sounding as the OG (I own one). I owned the LIM but converted it to the MIB

I mention this because in 2 weeks Schitt is supposed to be rolling out the best DAC they have ever made, the Byggi. Currently, there is only 1 review of it on SBAF web site. There will be 2 Byggi’s at the Los Angeles CanJam in 2 weeks.

I am in the Schitt queue to convert my MIB to the Byggi. The OG competes with things like the Chord DAVE and Mola Mola Tambaqui. Cost ranges from $2200 to $3500.