New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui

@recklesskelly “With this logic @ghdprentice then we should all dump our separates and get an All In One?”.

Not at all what I intended as I am sure you realize. The optimal point is to have a single function per box. Generally this seems to be optimal. Cramming several functions in a single box typically has a pretty big sonic cost. 

@tmccarthy 

No problem. I understand what you are saying.
 

Maybe my way of looking at the industry is a bit different. But I think it comes from lots of discussions with folks that are into high end audio. 
 

In the world of audio, level one is consumer products… designed for non-discerning consumer, built with lots of features and functions to attract the attention of buyers. In general those are not discussed here because folks buying them are not interested enough in sound to be joining a forum on the subject.
 

The next level up are inexpensive (by high end audio standards) that are designed to sound good but cost as little as possible. These sound better than your average consumer product, but are designed around the best possible sound with inexpensive, parts, cases… etc. This would be what I would call budget high end gear. I guess I use the term to make sure it is obvious that there is big compromise in the construction and sound. I know a lot of audiophile and have for decades and  i think this is a commonly used term. Or maybe entry level high end.
 

Up a level from there is or modestly priced high end equipment… the fit, finish improves as does sound. I’d probably put PS Audio in this category. Then mainstream audiophile stuff… meaning, outstanding sonic performance, fit & finish. all aspects crafted to an objective. Constructed to a price point, but very uncompromising. This includes companies like Conrad Johnson, Mark Levinson, MacIntosh, Audio Research. Typically these components in todays market go for $12 - $25K each. Volumes are still there with these components.

Finally there is the assault on what is possible were cost is no object, only sound and form. A number of companies have flagship components in this category, Wilson, MBS, Constellation, typically $> $50K per component. 
 

Anyway. Maybe my language is a bit sloppy, but that is my take on the industry.

@tmccarthy

Sorry, did not intend to be put any component down. How about this, Yggi is a good budget high end DAC. That is what my intent is. 
 

But in the gamut of audio DACs is something like $100 to +$50K. In the gamut of performance it is above consumer electronics but well below high end. While the idea budget / midrange/ and high end is certainly open for lots of debate. Performance separates different classes of components. There are lots that have respectable performance for their price… in the budget class. Good performance for cost, better than consumer, but not high end.

There is a point where there is a very significant improvement over the vast majority of inexpensive DACs. I would say that is in the $5K range, depends on the actual model. There are really big improvements in the $5K to $10-$15K… which are the mid-priced DAC range. Really high end DAC performance is in the $20K range.

I know it is somewhat arbitrary but there is a continuum of performance and the Schiit DACs are definitely extremely cost effective, but not in any way high end.

OP,

If you are in the market for a better DAC, I recommend that you do just that. Introducing additional components like a tube buffer also introduces another component and set of interconnects, with their associated signal degradation. The best sounding solution, assuming equal quality components is the fewest. Also, I think the least expensive.  
 

I would recommend finding the best quality DAC with the characteristics you value. It is likely to perform better overall.

OP,

Yes Audio Reserch Corp. their tube DAC is incredibly musical.

The Yggdrasil is a budget DAC. Upgrading will make a huge improvement in sound. The real question is in which direction do you want to upgrade? Do you want incredible detail? Or detail and musicality. Look at Berkeley and dCS for detail. ARC is detailed and incredibly musical. There are a lot of great DACs on the market today. In general, the greater the investment the greater the performance (of main stream DACs). I would recommend US and European before less expensive DACs. Typically these are great sounding on several dimensions, but miss on a couple. 

Do not consider new interconnect types in your decision. The big deal is the component. AES is likely what you will use… but it is the component that is the determinant of the sound… the best connection is secondary or tertiary.