Let's Talk DAC's

Not at all. A digital-to-digital converter, which initially sounds superfluous, but what it does is both re-clock the data and give you the option of using different inputs on your DAC. So if you feed the DDC a USB input from your streamer you now have the option of using superior AES/EBU or i2S outputs to your DAC. The benefit of this can vary depending on how the DAC’s inputs are designed, but in the case of my Pegasus the improvement of the DDC and going to i2S was substantial, and I’ve heard similar results from others who have the Pontus II. @vthokie83 can maybe attest to and expand on that. Incidentally the reviewer of the Pegasus also reviewed their Draco DAC and found very little difference sonically between it and the Pegasus and only costs $750 (but a current $38 coupon on Amazon knocks it down to only $712), so that and a DDC could be a relative bargain.

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/musician-audio-draco-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

https://www.amazon.com/Musician-Draco-Entry-Level-Decoder-DSD1024/dp/B096S6HBQY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2R4BYMIO9U0NQ&keywords=musician+draco+r2r+dac&qid=1696194343&sprefix=musician+draco%2Caps%2C701&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.2b70bf2b-6730-4ccf-ab97-eb60747b8daf

Something worth thinking about is you could have a Draco and either a Pisces or Iris DDC for not much more than a Pegasus alone. Definitely an attractive option.

I'm hesitant to recommend any DAC.   It is something I would recommend auditioning at home.   I just sold my RME for $675,  a great DAC for the price .   Unlike other DACs it has a built in parametric EQ so it can sound how ever you like.    

Definitely listen to your current DAC and the one you are interested in side by side 

I tried both of the Denafrips mentioned but bought a Pure Audio Lotus DAC 5 as it was clearly superior. Even the Denafrips distributor indicated I would have to go to the Terminator to get the equivalent SQ

The Pure Audio Lotus DAC 5 is within my budget. I will look into it. How good is the imaging? I am an imaging junkie and in a small room with the diminutive ProAc's imaging is a priority for me. 

@oddiofyl- Good advice. I definitely want to buy from a retailer that allows returns.

Desperado915,

If you are only interested in DACs that you can buy from a local source and test drive, then you can ignore both Musician and Denafrips. They are sold direct without a dealer network (and thus the associated 50% markup)....IMO that would be eliminating some amazing DACs.

Soix mentioned the Musician Pegasus, which is a fine DAC, I've heard it in my system and did like it. I personally prefer the Denafrips Pontus II 12th DAC at $1,850, and then from there the Musician Aquarius DAC at $2,900.

I've compared the Chord Qutest in my system, and found it lacking in all but detail....which it has in spades. I did not find it musical, fun, and could not listen to it for more than a couple of hours without fatigue (others will definitely disagree). BUT boy if you love detail and clarity, it's there.

Soix also mentioned adding a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter), which does several things: Allows I2S from the DDC to the DAC (if it has I2S connections) and that prevents the conversion of the internal I2S signal to another format and then back to I2S, cleans the signal both galvanically and optically, and then re-clocks it with a superior clock before sending to the DAC. I can tell you that the sound improvement is nothing less than terrific with the addition of a DDC.

That being said, adding a DDC depends greatly on what you streamer you plan to buy. If you're going to add low to mid priced $1,000/$1,500 units (think Eversolo, BlueSound, Topping, etc), then the DDC will be a great help. If you're looking more at the Aurender/Lumin/Innuous and their associated much higher cost, then you may find no need for a DDC.

There are hundreds if great reviews of the Pontus II DAC, and many thousands of satisfied customers. Do some reading to see if you like what they say. Best of luck on your search