Looking for a good DAC under $500

narrowing down the alternatives to listen to on a board such as this enables the opinion of others to assist in the research process.
I have had the multibit and sold it as the two separate dac chips in the bluesound node 2 do a great job.
I believe amazing results come from very expensive dacs e.g. the new benchmark 2 which claims have been made “will make an mp3 file sound better”
I thank those that gave me their opinion as there are always “sweet spots” in a given technology.
jhv

  GOOD luck !!

I agree with wtf - at the 500 range it won’t be clearly better than the node dac.  Might want to save for a higher range dac later on and just enjoy the node. 

I also have a Cambridge DacMagic (no Plus) - w/o testing I understand that newer designs have surpassed this fine DAC.

dunno if the ones that are said to be better are < $500

ones to check on or test:

Gustard
Oppo Sonica (used? refurb? stretch to $600?)
Emotiva
iFi
and see if any Schiit products will fit your budget

Get a used Benchmark DAC1