Best route to go for new dac?

Check out the Jolida/Black Ice tube DAC. 

I use a Macbook Pro running Amara Luxe to a Schist Yggdrasil GS. The Yaggie GS at $1599 is the greatest steal in audio, in my opinion. First time in my system (Audio Research SP6B + C-J MV75A-1 or GAS Ampzilla driving ATC SCM 35's) that I have felt digital is superior to analogue (Benz Ace on a Grace 707 and Ariston RD-11s). So much sheer drive to the music, with incredible detail and 3-dimensional body without the dry, grainy whitish highs of my previous digital setups.

I was in the same boat a few months ago.  I was also using a red dragonfly with jitterbug.

I ended up with a Schiit Gungir multibit, used for $850.  I would recommend some schiit dac or the mhdt.  Schiit is built in CA and their dacs are modular so you can upgrade them.  
There is a Schiit Bifrost for sale local to me.  It is the older chipset, called uber, not the newer multibit. You can upgrade it to multibit if you wanted to.  He’s selling it with an asgard 2 headphone amp at a good price.  PM if you want more info!

A hidden gem for small money is the Sabaj D5. If you're looking for something you'll have for a long time. And like a lot of options, when it comes to altering the sound. Try the RME ADI-2 FS DAC. It's got a million options in DSP, and comes from a reputable German corporation that makes professional studio gear. The  Sabaj is strictly an all Chinese affair, but with the exception of the volume/menu control on the front which is a little flimsy seeming, it's very well built. And sounds great to my ears. Both come with a remote control. And are also headphone amps.

And if you're into trying the R2R DACs, and you probably should be, because they sound great to many people. I would highly recommend the Denafrips ARES II over the other choices out there right now. Just from my research though, not personal experience. But it's going to be my next DAC. Another interesting choice, if you've ever considered room correction, is the MiniDSP SHD. It's got built in DSP/Dirac room correction, a Volumio streamer that competes with the best out there, and 4 channels of excellent Digital to Analog Conversion also.

I'd be happy to suggest more, if you have any specific requirements. I've researched just about all of them around that price category. There's many fine streamer DACs that can be had too, for instance. And also many budget gems too. Especially if you don't require XLR output (the ones I've mentioned all have XLR BTW). And/or if you just want something temporary, until you can learn more about them. Which isn't a bad idea at all. Good luck.

Andy B.

Ayre Codex

MHDT no volume control

Under $1,000, really anything in blue will do:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/master-sinad-distortion-comparison-graph-...

I went with the SMSL SU-8 v2 and love it. My software front end is generally Foobar2000 playing FLAC files and using the SRC resampler to perform a straight 4x upsample on the computer side prior to D/A conversion.

So what hits the DAC is usually either 16/176 or 24/384, unless I’m being lazy and listening to 320kb MP3’s on Spotify and then it’s just straight 16/48.

The SMSL M500 measures better than my SU-8, decodes MQA and DSD and also has a headphone amp stage that nearly measures as well as the new THX AAA products, which makes it a crazy value. 

I know value is a dirty word around here though so /shrug 

I own the Topping D90 and found that it greatly improved all aspects of my music vs the Bluesound Node 2i with a DAC built in. The Schiit multibit also look good for the money. Denafrips and Border Patrol are also a good choice. You will find a great improvement no matter what you choose.  Apos Audio has 30 day return and doubles the warranty on their DAC.  Schiit also has a good return policy.  Both companies are top notch.

Schitt Bitfrost 2 over Topping D90. Same price, user upgradable, and highly regarded. Sound is all that matters so try it for 15 days free and return if not satisfied. Made in USA.

J.Chip

I would definitely listen to a new dac purchase or buy from a source with a good return policy. I have been listening to dual Wolfson WM8740 chips and I love the sound they produce. I then purchased a Hegel H390 integrated with a AKM AK4490 chip and the reviews were all very good. The amp is very good, the dac, meh, I still listen to the dual Wolfsons.

I appreciate the responses from you all. The thing is...... I really know nothing about this stuff. I have a music back ground and trust my ear. I know my equipment is decent just working on moving up from the dragonfly. I know there is more to be had. I will look into the Topping and some others. Maybe work it out so I can try several at once returning which I don't like. Any other advice? Tubes? Xlr or Rca?

Anything by Benchmark. I run their original dac 1 fed by an Oppo 103  and it sounds great. They got their start in professional studios so the sound is very transparent, if that is what your looking for. Also, great value.

I had the Topping D70 for about a week. It looked great on paper but it was too clinical to me. 

Edit...."The Best SINAD #s"....Did not mean to say "Lowest".  Higher is actually preferred. 

My experience with Topping D90 was the same as another person here. It’s very nice “for the price”. I’m in love with Schitt Modius. For 200 bucks it’s a complete steal, livens up the music. My source is a simple Mac Mini. Love it and can’t recommend it highly enough. 

I bought a Topping D90 after reading glowing reviews and close to perfect measurements. Tried to live with it for almost 4-5 weeks, but it didn't connect with me emotionally. I sold it to a friend of mine who absolutely loves the DAC ... he has had many low-to-mid-fi DACs and prefers the Topping by a wide margin. Truth be told, it actually sounds amazing in his system.

The moral of the story is that there is just no way you can know for sure whether you would like a DAC or not until you hear it in your own system, regardless of what the measurements are telling you.

The Denafrips Ares II is a chipless ladder DAC that is well reviewed. A/B it alongside the chip-based D90 others here mentioned to determine which sound signature you prefer. Either way you cant go wrong IMHO.

I agree that a DAC is much more than a chip. Because sound can vary, you really have to listen for yourself. Hardly original advice, but it's true.

The Topping D90 is well within your price range, it measures to perfection, and user reviews I've seen have been glowing. Apos Audio will let you return it within 30 days if you don't like it. The D90 would be the first thing I'd try.

Have fun!

Topping D90 , get the one with the MQA decoder if you like MQA. 

Best route to go for new dac?

R2R Multibit for a real sound and make sure it’s got a volume control, to go direct into amp with, as many including me think it sounds better with better transparency and dynamics,
Cheers George

Op, there are so many choices and everyone has their favorite. I suggest you avoid the "measurement" trap, the lowest SINAD numbers will not equate to the best sound. Audition a few that have a well put together analog stage and choose what you like to hear.
In a resolving system, the DAC is much more than a chip. 
Ignoring the sales pitch at the beginning, this video is worth watching to understand the importance of the analog stage. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=McoA82-fi9s