Need a new DAC

Why spend so much? How about the Topping D50 instead? I personally feel that spending big bucks on a DAC is money wasted! Especially since the low cost DACs have achieved such excellent performance! Of course like so many here snob appeal counts for a lot!

With the budget you have, look at Audio Note. They build NOS ladder DACs which use all tube sections and are extremely musical and non-digital sounding.

I can personally vouch for the Mytek Manhatten and the Bryston DAC 3.

Certainly you're aware that there is no shortage of well-regarded DACs available these days. The mind boggles. What fun though, to be in a position to pull the trigger on a new one.

Roberjerman-are you just poking a bear or serious?
The Dave is awesome.  I'd look at some tubes like Border Patrol, Audio Research, VAC or solid state like Bricasti.

Bear is not poked!  Thanks to all for the suggestions.  My purchase will likely be my last (for a DAC) as I do not swap equipment.  Tubes are not being considered for that reason as well as their "sound." I want to hear the best of digital in comparison to my analogue set-up, not try to make digital sound like analogue.

Analogue:  Teres 265, Moerch 12" Red Dot arm, various Cartridges (the only thing I swap), Herron Audio Phono Pre, all connections are Analysis Plus.

Digital: Cambridge Audio Transport, SS Hard Drive, DAC to be determined, all connections are Analysis Plus.

Down Stream: Levinson 380S Pre-Amp, Wyred 4 Sound multi-channel Amp, bi-amping Emerald Physics CS-2 open baffle speakers, all connections are Analysis Plus.

If I live long enough, the Levinson 380S will probably give-up and I will have to deal with that, but until then I'm very happy.

if it must be solid state, than mojo audio Mystique v3! nice gear btw

"Later you can add Mscaler to it to make it another level." Every system is different.  I had the Mscaler and didn't like it at all. In my system the Dave sounds natural by itself.

Without a budget, kind of tough.  But, +1 for the Mojo Audio Mystique V3 as I own one and it is spectacular.