Agree with clockworkcreep5, the Aqua Voce is incredible. I bought the Aqua La Voce S2 DAC and sent it back to Italy for a $1,500 upgrade to S3 (the current version). This made all my CDs sound more organic with just the right balance between detail and an analog sound. This S3 version sells new for about $5,000. Last week my dealer had a pre-owned Aqua Formula DAC which sells new for $17K, and I bought it for $10K as an upgrade to the Aqua La Voce S3. I do hear improvement but no dramatic difference from the S3. If interested, I’ll be selling the La Voce S3 for $2,800. Take a look at the reviews on these.
Need help choosing a new DAC
With so many options for DACs these days, I'm having a hard time deciding on a new DAC. Currently considering a MHDT Orchid or Pagoda, Denafrips Pontus II, Benchmark DAC3, Schitt Yggdrasil, or Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE. I don't need any options such as volume control, BT, or MQA. I also prefer musicality over measurements. I'm currently using a SMSL SU-9, which will be moved over to my office system. I'm tired of moving it back and forth between systems. My bank account prefers the cost of the Orchid since the other options cost up to twice as much, but I can go as high as $2500. I mostly steam Qobuz thru a Raspberry Pi 4, but also use a Cambridge Audio CXC v2 CD transport on occasion. My preamp is a Don Sachs DS2 tube preamp going into a D-Sonic m3a-1200s amp feeding "Gunned" MMGs. I mostly listen to the Grateful Dead, rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Which DAC should I get and are the any others I should look at?