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

So based on that (thank you) I guess volume offset is just the same as turning the MM volume down -2db.  But it is once and done, and the -2db does not seem to reduce sound quality  at least to my ears..  6v output still works and I do not have any distortion.  As I have switched streamers (now Grimm MU1) and switched to AES, I should again play those hot recordings without the volume offset and see if it still happens.  

op consider the Aqua hifi lascala modular and upgradable advanced r2r design that can handle dsd and high data rate pcm very analog like hugensound stage has two tubes for a bit of midrange magic

add a432evo Aeon roon core and endpoint and you will have sn amazingly analog sounding digital setup

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

aqua hifi dealer

us importer 432EVO music servers

You say you want "better" but what exactly would "better" sound like? Would you recognize it if you heard it? Do your research, read reviews, compare specs and listening impressions but in the end, you are going to have listen for yourself.

If you are not in a hurry and enjoy buying and selling, you can always buy used and sell it if you don’t like it. Whether you do this, or order from one of the online vendors who offer return policies, it still amounts to the same thing -- basing your ultimate decision upon what you hear, in your system, in your room.

Even if you had a half dozen dealers close to you it’s unlikely any would be amenable to a home demo. That is simply not their business model. Among others, The Music Room, Audio Advisor, Listen Up! and Upscale Audio all offer return policies on online sales.

The alternative is to buy new gear based on someone else's opinion and hope you like it. This might work out. But then again, it might not. 

So my DAC journey has been from Schitt to McIntosh (I have a Mc system) to PS Audio to Weiss (current). The latter three I used in my current configuration. I replaced the Mc, because of the sonic edges, with the PS Audio to provide an analog SQ. It certainly did, but was pretty dull sounding. The Weiss 501 is my Goldie Locks providing a smooth detailed presentation with a wide sound stage. It also has a Roon ready streamer built in. I’m pretty happy with it — somewhat gets out of the way of the system and isn’t colored. I am intrigued by the Mola Mola though.

+1 on your PS Audio comments @w123ale I went from PS Audio (dull) to Auralic Vega 2 (much more resolving but edgy) to MM Tambaqui.  Amazing resolution, clarity, soundstage, imaging..  Adding a quality streamer brings it all home; more engaging, warmer, but still amazing resolution.  Lifelike.

+1, Bricasti DAC. I own the Bricasti M21 DAC and like it very much. The Bricasti M21 DAC is recognized as a DNLA device and becomes a powerful media renderer.   My M21 DAC is connected to the Internet and gets the signal from my Apple M2 chip Laptop 12-Core CPU 19-Core GPU 16GB using an Ethernet cable. 

As was posted above, a MSB DAC solution means multiple boxes, Box #1 is the DAC, box #2 is the power supply (power base) and box #3 is the Director. The Director is a recently announced model and moves all the input and output connections to the Director.

”The Digital Director enhances essential DAC functions, externally manages digital audio sources, provides unmatched noise isolation and digital filtering. Using our proprietary ProISL laser fiber optic connection, the Digital Director eliminates noise coupling into the DAC from any digital source. Increased processing power ensures our digital filtering algorithms achieve a new level of realistic and accurate analog reproduction. The Digital Director levels up the performance of all digital audio”. List price is $14,000 and higher for certain models.

MSB