Higher End DACs


I am looking for a DAC (potentially streamer&DAC) to be paired in a mcintosh system (c1100/611). Its my first foray into digital streaming and I have no need for a CD player.

I see a lot of love for Esoteric, however, most seems to be around their transports? Are they not as renowned for pure digital streaming and/or standalone DACs? I see DCS (for instance) often referenced for standalone DACs - how does Esoteric compare?
ufguy73
I recently wanted to purge my CD player and auditioned a Aurender ACS 10 with a Audio Research
DAC 9 both costing under 12K!
The sound was exceptional in all respects and the system could be controlled by an IPAD using a streaming app of your choice.
This is worth checking out!
I have a NAIM server on HRS isolation and damping with a Pardo LPSU into an Aesthetix Pandora Signature - very musical, organic. Nice to see a civil helpful thread :-)

don’t underestimate isolation for vibration, signal and power!
I feel what's being overlooked is the resolving power of your speakers.
An advanced DAC would cost a lot but you might not be able to discern 
everything it's doing without very accurate transducers. I don't know enough about streaming, but with the pace of improvements in technology, I would welcome modularity when it comes to digital playback so that upgrading could be done in the field. Also, I am one of these "oddballs" who goes to a demo and can't hear a significant difference between item-A and item-B (which costs twice as much).
Item-B may look a little "newer" and have a few extra inputs (I won't need) and a nicer display, but it's not so much the cost but the degree of real improvement, which is small. 
What’s Best Forum across the best DAC’s is another reference depends on your budget but fun to read about.
In case no one has said it I’m trying the Lampizator Amber III DAC and have an upgraded PS Audio PerfectWave DAC.
I strongly recommend the AudioAlchemy DTI PRO32 for jitter control. Couple hundred bucks very well spent. Mutec make a similar unit. Have fun!
I highly recommend the PS Audio Directstream DAC with the Network Bridge II. At $6899 it is well within your budget and, if you buy directly from them, you can evaluate it at home and return it for a full refund if you dont like it. I dont think you'll return it...