Best DAC’S $5k to $15k

I owned Metrum Pavane, Rockna Wavelight, Rockna Wavedream and now an Aavik D-280.

The D-280 is the best among these. Smooth, fast, detailed and with amazing instrument separation. The Wavedream was more on the analytical side...the D-280 is more organically "embracing".

I owned a Chord Dave for several years and it left me unimpressed both in respect to sound and ergonomic function. Maybe my system was not right but I found a PS Audio Direct Stream DAC a much better match and more musical.

Not heard it but the Mola Mola appears to be loved by all. I do not like its aesthetics however. 

Maybe a used DCS ?

Weiss Helios is my favorite.  Outstanding detail, wide and deep soundstage and very musical.  The DSP functions are icing on the cake.

I enjoy the Cinnamon Audio Galle dac for $15k.  It is made in Portugal and the design is most interesting and innovative.  Just go to the Cinnamon Audio site and read about it. For me it is the most musical piece of gear I have heard or owned.  It is the heart of my system in that it has changed my listening experience from one of evaluation to pure enjoyment. My system attracts me more to music than it has in the past. Hard for me to put into words the feeling it brings when listening to my system, but it is refreshing and rare based on my experience.  Worth a listen to those with the budget. 

 

@adasdad @axeis1 

You guys have got to try PGGB. I have been doing it on the DSD side; with your converters you would use it to upsample to PCM. It is a component level upgrade-seriously. Speaking of Nick/Wave Audio, I don't know if either of you read the thread I supplied a link to above, but at least check out his post here:

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/62699-a-toast-to-pggb-a-heady-brew-of-math-and-magic/page/5/#findComment-1127522