(Another) DAC Recommendation Request

Hard to see either the Yggy GS2 or the Pontus 15th not being a considerable improvement in the areas you’re concerned about — and no the YouTube comparisons don’t count for squat as they’re low-res garbage.  If you could stretch a bit, the new Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC might be a home run, and they offer a trial period.  Best of luck. 
 

https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/aero-dac-digital-analog-converter

The Yggi+ LIM is rolled off on top. It works for me on a bright setup but that was in the past so I am in the queue to convert the LIM to the MIB.

The MIB is supposed to be more like the Yggi+ OG that I also own and love. The Yggi+ OG DAC was involved in a shootout with the Chord DAVE and the Mola Mola Tambaqui using the $10k RAAL 1995 Immanis headphones. I was not there but the owner of the DAVE wrote the following:

Another Head-Fi’er, @yyzSB, sent his Schiit Audio Yggdrasil+ OG DAC with Danny, and I got a chance to listen to it not only driving my Immanis through my Zahl HM1 and VM-1a, but also through Danny’s Feliks Audio Envy. It has great tonal density—more than my Dave. And it does bass drum better than I think I’ve ever heard. Not only with the impact of the drum strikes, but the hollow reverb (I mean hollow in a good way here) of the sound of that strike bouncing around inside the drum. Timbre across the rest of the FR, and technicalities, were a touch behind my Dave, with the Yggi+ sounding a hair more digital. But the Yggi+ is also much less expensive and offers insane SQ per $.

My friend Danny whose hearing is incredible (a musician) told me that he liked the Tambaqui more, but he surprised me by saying even he would not be able to tell in a blind test.

Schitt is coming out with their FPGA Singularity DAC in 2025.

I have and own a OG YGG. It is a very good dac, if you can find one. However I thought the Pontus was better when I owned it. I preferred the Pontus over the terminator I bought and sold. My most enjoyable dac that I’m using in my system is the May Holo spring Kte. You might add any of the Holo dacs for consideration. Btw  this Aurender streamers are superb sounding with easy to use software. I’ve owned the N200 and now for me, endgame N20.

I own and really like the Bricasti M3. Used within your budget. You can pick one up with a network card well within your budget on a used market. A good streamer like the Aurender N150 or N200 will be an improvement over the inbuilt network card but the option to use this DAC without a streamer either with Roon or Audirvana (both are subscription services) and Qobuz or a free Mconnect app with Qobuz will most likely hold you over without buying a streamer until you can add a really nice one. Bricasti is spot on accurate and lacks nothing plus it includes two Clock modes and 4 filters that will allow you to tailor the sound to your liking. 
As a side note, Bricasti M3 in my system sounds better than any of the following DACs I’ve tried: Chord Cutest, Chord Hugo TT2, Bryston BDA-3, Mytek Brooklyn, Benchmark DAC3 HGC, PS Audio DSD MkI, 

+1 @soix

To add one more comment to my Schitt enthusiasm.

I was researching the Schitt Yggi+ MIB DAC and other things about Schitt and learned on SBAF that the new Gungnir 2 is a sonic mix of the LIM and MIB and supposedly the designer, Mike Moffet’s fav DAC. It is $1599. I would still get the higher cost Yggi+’s since they have a better power supply, and they will get the Gungnir 2 updates in 2025.

Thanks for all this. I've come to conclusion that I'd really prefer to buy an American-made product, for any number of reasons. To that end...

@soix  I'm really intrigued by and seriously going to consider the LTA. While the lack of input options is a strike against it, the USB, coaxial and optical inputs would be sufficient for my current needs.

@yyzsantabarbara and @dwest1023 Reached out to Schiit to see what they thought, their response: "I would personally recommend the Gungnir 2 over the Yggy GS2. The Gungnir 2 is similar is presentation but has greater clarity and detail. And yes, the GS2 is similar to the OG Yggy, as it has analog 1 cards." Unfortunately, my Gumby 1 cannot be upgraded to a 2. As I also have a Bifrost multibit, I'm thinking that it might be time to jump off the Schiit wagon.

@audphile1 The Bricasti M3 does generate a lot of support in user comments and strong reviews--and scratches the American-made itch, as well. Unfortunately, nothing is currently list in my price range. Will keep scouting.

I agree with dwest1023. I have a Pontus 12th anniversary and it’s better than the Schiit DAC Bifrost 2. I never had the Yggy but the improvement in sound was good in all areas that to the extent.. I didn’t care to try the higher cost Schiit gear. I also, later, moved up to a HiFi Rose RS130 streamer and the SQ improved again. But frankly even my Bluesound Node X with the Denafrips Pontus was surprisingly organic, very natural timbre to instruments and not harsh. Improved bass that was tighter.