I have the DA2 in my C2700 and also have a $19K retail outboard DAC. You will need to spend $5K on an outboard DAC to significantly better the DA2. My outboard DAC is better all around (actually stunning); however, which DAC do you think puts more of a smile on my face when I listen? Believe it or not, it's the DA2. Solely because of the performance that it provides versus the small cost of entry.
McIntosh C52 to C53?
I recently posted a discussion on the weak link in my system:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-my-mcintosh-c52-pre-amp-the-weak-link
The general consensus of opinion was; the DAC in my McIntosh C52 pre-amp/DAC. So what do I do, upgrade the Aurender N10 streamer to an A20 (streamer with built in DAC), use a stand alone DAC or something else? Based on reviews I am hearing great things about the new DAC (DA2) used in the C53 pre-amp/DAC. Anyone upgraded from a C52 to C53 and noticed a significant improvement in DAC SQ?