Dated but still A rated DACs

I'll second the Hegel HD12, and add the Classe DAC1

I have an "all digital source" music audio system and believe that DACs are the things that are being "most improved" these days.

For the last 3+ years I've been enjoying a PS Audio DirectStream DAC whose unique design (based on an FPGA chip, instead of an off-the-shelf DAC chipset) allows them to publish firmware updates (which seem to be available 1 or 2 times per year), which improve the performance of the DAC.

If the DirectStream DAC can't be had for the money you want to spend, they also offer a DirectStream Jr DAC, for about 2/3's the price of it's bigger brother.

PS Audio is a fantastic company to deal with.

Dangerous Music Convert-2. Breathtakingly realistic - impresses me with a never ending series of wow moments when listening to good recordings.  Built like a tank. Very responsive and helpful support if needed - they assisted with a couple of technical questions I had. Price: $2,499.

Oops - just realised you are spinning cds (rather than playing files from a computer or streaming). I have only used the Convert-2 briefly for spinning cds -with an Oppo 83 and 105D with coaxial. While the Convert improved their respective sounds, playing downloaded red book files and streaming Tidal HiFi via USB is giving me much better resolution.

[Convert-2 balanced analog out to a pair of Geithain RL906 active monitors]

Ayre QB-9 DSD is still an amazing unit.  Digital doesn't get much better, and certainly not at the price point you can find a used one.