New DAC, what should I look for?

The sound profile that I'm looking for is smooth and spacious

The PSA DirectStream Mk1 isn't smooth or spacious? Just want to clarify.

I love my Holo Audio Spring 3. Very smooth, spacious, good detail, solid all around. I will never look for another DAC. This part of my system is done.

Just like there’s people saying you can’t hear the difference between cables, or between amps for that matter... everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

It’s not a question about whether people are "entitled" to their opinion, right? I mean, that’s like saying they’re "entitled to their left hand."

This is about whether there is a way of testing so they can *verify* whether they actually hear a difference or they are fooling themselves.

Are people "entitled to fool themselves"? Yes, in the same way they are entitled to their left hand, their opinion, etc.

I went back and forth many times, controlling for variables, each time I changed DACs. I could hear a difference. I had friends change the DAC while I was blindfolded. Many trials. Then we switched roles. We all heard differences. Not perfect science but not just guessing, either.

@audiojan We are in agreement. The phrase bugs me because the phrase "I’m entitled to my opinion" is a fallacy; it is used to preempt or dismiss arguments against their position; the phrase is asserting they have a right to hold their own particular viewpoint. This is a truism. The only interesting issue is whether one has a  right to think something based on evidence or justification. In other words, saying someone has a "right to their opinion" excuses them from the rational obligation of  justifying their belief. It's perfectly reasonable to avoid debating with people, of course. It may be too conflictual and unpleasant. But just to be clear, there is no "right" they are actually asserting.

Often when people claim a "right to their opinion" they are trying to hold a factually indefensible position or even suggest that everyone has an equal right to be heard on a topic when only one of the two parties has the relevant expertise to determine what is correct.