Best DAC?


Recommended DAC up to $5000.  Key sonic characteristics? Thank you!
erastof
Double Dolphin gives you some information with testing behind it.
Although the chip he seems to favor is the AD 1865 as found in the Audio Note and the Audio Mirror.


The Holo May KTE dac is absolutely a unicorn at its price. I've owned Border Patrol, Benchmark, Denafrips Terminator, Rockna Wavelight, Mojo Audio Mystique Evo, and spent time with Bricasti M1SE, Dave+Mscaler, Berkeley Alpha Ref 2, Lampizator Pacific, MSB Select II and DCS Vivaldi Stack. The Holo May KTE is has a timing correctness and spooky real tonal quality that reminds me of the MSB Select II which is the best digital I've ever heard at any price. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't come to the Select II, but for its price it comes a hell of a lot closer than anything else.