How do you make a final decision on a DAC

To answer Tomstruck: My preferred brand, when I can get it is a large bottle of Buffalo Trace!!    Thanks all !!!!

You might take a look at the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC.   Its FPGA based and they have a purdy good reputation for service.  They used to have a try and buy (satisfaction guarantee) and  I  think they will take existing equipment on trade if your interested in that.   

my experience with Digital Music is there are various capabilities/components required.  a DAC by itself can only get you so much.  How do you intend to use the DAC?

1. For digital streaming - Tidal/Quboz

2. For digital file playback – DSD/FLAC files

3. For CD/Video playback – connected to a TV or CD player etc.,

For the above use cases, I’ve explored system comprised of;

1. DAC (in my case upgraded from Matrix Saber Pro to Mola Mola Tambaqui, which is night and day. not even in the same league.  I evaluated the Chord Dave, DcS Bartok, and Tambaqui)

2. Streamer (in my case, I'm using a stock intel NUC running Roon ROCK and a custom fan-less, LPS powered Windows 11 PC with a JCAT XE USB Card, running JRiver. I’m evaluating Aries G2.1 and Grimm MU 1.  Grimm MU 1 connected to the Tambaqui using AES/BUE, not USB, is magical, where the built-in up sampler comes into play)

3. Up Sampler (in my case, I’m using Matrix X-SPDIF 2 USB Interface into the Matrix Saber Pro for a noticeable but small improvement in SQ.  In my Auditions, I have found the FPGA base up sampling in the Grimm MU 1, especially combined with the Tambaqui, is even better, for me, than the Chord Dave + M-Scaler)

4. Network Switch (in my case, I’m using the EtherRegion, not in production anymore, and I find the Network Acoustics ENO + Ethernet cable a clear improvement over the EtherRegion, but not sure either of devices will benefit the Grimm MU 1, as I have not tested that combo)

System Path for Roon/Tidal

Stock Intel NUC running ROON Rock, reading files from a Synology NAS and streaming from Tidal  Unifi Switch  ENO  Tambaqui Network port, with Ipad for control

System Path for Digital File Playback

Custom, fan—less, LPS powered Windows PC with local SSD file storage and m2.PCIE boot drive, through JCAT EX USB card running JRiver  Tambaqui USB port

System Path for TV

LG OLED TC  Tambaqui Optical Port

Tambaqui  MC2500 Pre-Amp  MC601 Monoblocks B&W 802 D2 + B&W D1 Sub

Hope that helps explain what I have learnt, a DAC by itself is only able to do so much and you have to look at the end-to-end flow of the system when matching and picking a DAC.

I had a Terminator and now have the Terminator Plus.  I found the best input to be the HDMI and use a Denafrips Iris DDC to change USB to I2S.  The Terminator 2 has the clock out to sync the DDC and it is worth it, but even without using the clock out the I2S is better than USB.  But, I did have a music server with I2S out that was not as good as it's USB, beware not all I2S is good.

The Terminator Plus is better than the original Terminator with any input.

part of the fun in this hobby is to scratch the itch... i am itchy like all the time ...😂

Well said sir!

Go to Audio Science Review and look at the test results. Choose a DAC within your budget with the least distortion and best linearity. No magicinvolved!

ASR is a great start-point.  Use this to short-list.  There is always someone who says try before you buy, which everyone knows anyway.  However, if you combine good measurements with good reviews and recommendations (and scratch that itch at the same time) then you will be fine.  

My current DAC is a Matrix Audio Sabre (from Xian). Ticks all my boxes: Superlative measurements, top ESS chip, does I2S, does balanced, does DSD, looks decent on the shelf. And after I bought blind: sounds totally neutral.

It is a ΔΣ so no scratchy scratchy sorry!