Looking for a new DAC

I do know the ASR folks would vehemently disagree

vthokie

What ASR folk say is often uninteresting and tedious, though ASR is a huge forum so you're bound to run into very bright people too.

More saliently, many experts disagree as well, including respected DAC designers.

But at the end of the day, it's all about what your ears tell you. 

devinplombier

Agreed on what your ears tell you. My only issue (pro and con) is just making a blanket statement without having tried it oneself......with streamers, DACs, DDCs, clocks, connections, etc; the true answer in most instances is "it depends".

DAC and streamer experts disagree as well, and usually those are the ones that have spent the time and money to properly design and implement a a proper solution......or didin't, and want you to believe them.

Best to you

Just looking at your list I would say Weiss 204 and get the modwright instruments LPS for it. It’s sublime.

You want a highly resolving, linear measuring DAC with Magnepans because Maggies roll off the top octave considerably. You don’t want anything that truncates those fine details further. 

IME, for such a DAC, there is no need to get anything more expensive than the Topping E70 Velvet. If you’re inclined to spend more, try a Mytek or used DCS.