I heard a 588 almost 20 years ago and it was the first time a source blew me away. Even with a modest system of Sennheiser HD650 headphones and PPA amplifier. I always regret not buying it immediately (it was later sold to another attendee at that head-fi meet). I finally understood why some audiophiles adhere to a “source first” philosophy. Anyways, that was my first big source moment and I’ve always been chasing that feeling. I later bought a G08 and quite honestly I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer the older 588. That 588 just never came up for sale at the right time.
More recently I’ve owned a Yggdrasil, and it’s quite good but even then I’m not sure I’d prefer it to a 588? Now I have a Phison PD2 DAC and I’m certain that eclipses the 588 in all matters, but it’s also a lot more than a Yggdrasil. Also I’ve been mainly a vinyl guy for the last 15 years.
For more affordable DACs that sounds musically right, I do usually like those that use the Wolfson WM8741 chip. The Questyle CAS192D is a good one. ECP Audio has also made a few really nice ones with that chip.