Best DAC you ever heard list. 1.Budget under 1k 2. Mid Under 5k 3. Cost no Object.

@helomech i think when you have an expensive system like one with maficos the DAC becomes even more important.  Just my opinion. 

@calvinj 

Ok I'll check it out

in recent times i’ve certainly heard plenty of budget dacs and under $5k dacs that i liked at shows. lots of great digital at very reasonable prices. but i don’t have a feel for those dacs to identify the best ones.

i’ve focused on more cost no object dacs and of those the best i have ever heard is my Wadax Reference dac, Level 4 version.

the Level 4 Wadax System

You might need one or two more weight classes. I have heard several DACs in the $5K - $15K range that I consider significantly better than anything I have heard at under $5K, but none of those would compete against the better cost-no-object units.

Under $1000, None that sounded good.

Under 5K Border Patrol

Stupid Mega Bucks The Wadax Level 4 that @mikelavigne referenced and I had the chance to hear it at Supra Hi-Fi here in Dallas.

Wish I could afford it, my DAC is a LessLoss Echos End Reference (Under $20K)