Need a DAC Recommendation.

I would put my money down on a Gustard X26 Pro. Easily beats the Topping everyone is so fond of, is built like a tank, has lots of settings and beats many much more expensive DACS on SQ. Extremely well designed.

I would buy it new.

And I would not spend much more than this considering DACs now-a-days have improved so much so that I would rather wait for a new technology before venturing any more money on one.

No love for the Benchmark DAC3 B?

After much research, I think I'm about to pull the trigger on a Musical Paradise DAC.

Audio gd. Their DACs punch way above their weight class. I didn’t believe it until I actually heard it. There are a couple between $1-2k that would make you fall in love. Someone previously mentioned the R8. It’s a $5k unit all day going for under $2k. The R7 put my PS Audio out to pasture by a mile. Wally at Underwood HiFi carries the line now. Give him a shout. He’ll do whatever he can to stretch your dollars. 

RME ADI 2 DAC fs with Teddy Pardo PS/SR Orange. Great combo and the better the cables you throw on it, the more you will be rewarded. Can’t imagine spending more… I’m sure they get better but we’re cutting hairs for very little if any gain.