Is there a DAC ranking list?

I’ve read several times a 2121 Audiogon thread “DAC That Punches Above Its Price Point”.  It has been helpful, but I asked about a “DAC ranking list” because I had such a good result using the one Chronicle created for earphones.  I appreciate your answers, and will study them.  I apologize for asking ‘beginner’ questions, but I live in a city where there is only a Best Buy, and my friends have 1970’s stereo systems.  I listed my equipment and listening habits, because there are likely a FEW “best value DAC’s” out there for me…finding one is the trick.  It has to be both good sounding and a good value.  Hamburgers?  That’s an easy one.  Without a doubt…the best burger is at the Anchor Bar and Grill in Superior, WI…$4 burgers, $6.25 if you want a 2/3lb one…fresh fries for $1.25.  So you might say I’m looking for the DAC that matches their deal.

In my OP I explained that I now stream radio stations on my iPad Pro to an Apple AirPort Express connected to my speakers.  I raised the question whether I need a DAC with a streamer.  Any thoughts?  I ask because I’m not sure what’s the weakest link in my system.

From the description of your room/system, you have bigger fish to fry than a DAC.

Just sayin......
 

OK, ozzy62, I’d like you to expand on that if you would.  I’ve started room treatment by adding 7 utility mats on the floor.  As I mentioned, I’m very happy with the sound of my Moondrop Blessing earphones.  My guess is that the weak links are the AirPort Express and/or streaming on the iPad Pro.  What would you address to take a step forward?

• Thx ozzy and Peter!  By LP I meant listening position.  Here it is, the red lounge chair in the foreground.  You can see the 2 B&O ‘pencil’ speakers on the right and left, connected by a 10ft cable.  I put mats under them for room treatment.  The subs are about 10ft behind the LP, 1 connected with the 25ft cable and the other wireless.

   

Based Upon the Responses…it looks like buying a Bluesound NODE would be the best next step.  That would replace streaming from my iPad Pro and AirPort Express.  Then I could follow up later with a better DAC.  
The responses will help me narrow down the best Value in a DAC.

 

05-21-2022 at 01:51pm 

Headphones for the win in that room. No question.

Yes, you are probably right.  My Moondrop Blessings sound great using the iPad Pro.  I noticed that sounds like xylophones and musical sticks often sound very realistic though my speakers.

Thanks for all the responses and input!  I appreciate your taking the time to look at my situation and comment on it.  I’ve ordered a Bluesound NODE.  Given my room and the rest of my equipment, it might be a good match to improve my music with what I have.  It’s about the quality of the sound, and also the interface and access to the music that I like.  If the NODE is a plus, I’ll look for the next step to improve my listening experience and will circle back to this thread to consider more of the suggestions.  I’ll also be working on my room acoustics.

UPDATE: I bought a Bluesound NODE 3rd gen, and connected it through an AiMesh WiFi repeater dual band 300+867Mpbs.  I started by tuning in to Radio Paradise MOA music.

WOW!!  I was impressed!!  Prior to this, I was pleased hearing a few notes on a few selections that sounded real and present.  With the above, everything sounded that way. I was looking for an upgrade, and I have more than I could have hoped for.  I'm going to sit back and enjoy this for a while!

I have cat5 wiring nearby,  Would using that be an improvement over using the repeater?

Does anyone have a suggested way to access free jazz radio stations on the NODE?  I’ll explore subscriptions after I settle in to how and what I want to listen to.

My background story is that due to work and outdoor play, I had stopped listening to music on my JBL L220 system and sold it.  I do listen to music trough my earphones daily.  Then I ran across a set of B&O BeoLab8000 speakers and decided to get back into listening.  Since then I’ve added 2 subwoofers, new earphones and now the NODE.  Every choice has been a good one so far.

My original post was to find a good value DAC because that had been suggested.  I ended up with a different outcome and it worked well for me.

The NODE is too far away from my chair to use my Moondrop Blessing 2 earphones, but I can plug them into my iPad and go back radio.garden jazz stations when the need arises.

The sound is AMAZING!  Before I bought this system, I was a daily music listener via earphones, so music has always been an important part of my life.  I listen while I bike ride.  Sometimes when I don’t feel like riding I’ll go anyway just to listen to music.  But this is a whole new experience - here’s what’s good about my new sound:

-  Even a very low levels, the music is still very clear, vibrant, musical, enjoyable

-  The sounds are so realistic, I sometimes look to see if they’re in the room

-  Music I don’t like - such a Mideastern style music - sounds good, enjoyable

-  I stay up very late listening

-  I can’t imagine how it could be improved

I wasn’t optimistic about what I could achieve because if you look at my room description you’ll see that it wasn’t designed for acoustics.  Now, like a lottery winner, I’ll be ready to take another chance on a future upgrade.  Who wouldn’t?

And contrast that with another endeavor in life that I have - roasting, grinding and brewing espresso - where I’ve had exactly  one ‘great’ espresso in 13 years of daily brewing…but I still keep trying anyway.