Suggestions for a replacement dac


I am considering changing dacs. I have a Black Ice Audio DSD dac that like all Chinese made products I have tried has had problems. That being said, Jerred at Black Ice Audio has provided the best customer service I have experienced in my 40 years enjoying this hobby. He is sending me a brand new replacement dac at this point in time. I do like the sound of the BSA dac, finding it better to my taste than solid state delta sigma dacs that I have owned with MSRP's up to $3000. I find solid state delta sigma dacs to be analytical and hard sounding. Again, I am just talking about my personal musical taste, so please do not take offense if you love DS dacs.

My budget is $1,000 for a new or used dac no older than 3 years, from a dealer or someone with a lot of feedback. The characteristics I find most important are:

1 Tone and texture
2 Rhythm and pace
3 Dimension
4  Large sound stage

I am considering R2R dacs and would like to get opinions as to whether they can match the sound characteristics I listed above compared to a tube dac. It would be nice to eliminate a little heat and warm up time.

I have read all the glowing reviews of the Denafrips Ares ll and would also like input on user experiences as to their reliability past the first year of ownership. That of course would be back to Chinese manufacturing.

Please do not make recommendations above my budget. If there is no alternative in my price range I will just keep the new Black Ice Audio DAC. I listen exclusively to streaming audio and I am not using my CD transport.

My system:

Unison Research Triode 25 

Audio Physics Classic 10

Bluesound Node 2i

Cambridge Audio CXC

Thanks in advance for your input.






mtloriginal
I forgot to list a Paradigm Seismic 10 subwoofer in my system. Important to note for base response. 
You forgot to choose the right section of the forum, did you notice you’re in ANALOG section :) 
In this cost range and with similar sonic preferences I'm actually considering a Mhdt Orchid right now.
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