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

I’ve had the Lumin D2, Lumin P1, MHDT Pagoda Balanced, Krell Illusions ii used internal DAC, Node 2i and a couple other DAC’s I’m forgetting about along the way.  I have a PS Audio MK2 currently.  I’ve used Lumin and Auralic dedicated streamers.  Synergy is key, power supplies and clean power make a big difference.  Your preference on sound characteristics is also a huge factor.  Some really high end DAC’s are very clean, detailed, dead quite and can lean toward analytical.  R2R especially a tube design tend to be warmer, more analogue but they don’t have the level of detail, nuances nor are they as quite.  Hearing the differences also largely depends on your supporting gear.  Some gear will really highlight the differences between DAC’s and some set ups won’t present noticeable differences.  The list you have compiled is a strong list, you’ve gotten some nice suggestions on what to add to the list.  I’d add Lumin to it, they are highly regarded in the Hifi space and their gear tends to punch above its weight class.  Not because I have it currently but the PS Audio DAC is getting rave reviews by many.  In my system it has a more laid back quality than some other DAC’s I’ve used.  If you do spend the coin on one of the DAC’s I’d echo comments, suggestions on replacing your Mac as a streamer, if you are spending that kind of money on a DAC having a high quality streamer is key to getting the most out of it.  I’ve done an A/B comparison and found a streamer to be a big improvement and the vast majority of forums I’ve read lean into the virtues of a streamer vs using a PC or Mac as a streamer. Good Luck! 

Every system is different.  The only way to know what you prefer is to hear the DAC in your system.  I've recently listened to the Tambaqui and Bartok in my system. I prefer the Chord Dave to both.

Not sure I could get use to the look of the Chord Dave....

I'm very open to just using the mac mini to run core and getting a dedicated streamer.

Leaning toward the MSB Discrete DAC.  I like the upgradability and the modular digital inputs.  Build quality looks pretty high so I assume it's reliable and they would service it.  

So for a dedicated streamer/player.  Probably don't have the funds for a Taiko yet but what would be on par with the MSB Discrete DAC?

OP,

Yes Audio Reserch Corp. their tube DAC is incredibly musical.