Farjamed, in all honesty I believe there's a lot of performance in your $2K DAC that your system is not allowing to come forth. Spending more money on a more expensive DAC is not going to yield results.
IMO, your McIntosh integrated amp is probably limiting your system's resolution. If you want to hear more resolution...the "Ah-Ha!" moment is going to come with more refined amplification.
Sorry if this seems too blunt. I was trying to avoid commenting on your system in general, but your last post regarding not hearing a benefit unless you spent more money on a different DAC indicated to me you were headed down the wrong path.
IMO, your McIntosh integrated amp is probably limiting your system's resolution. If you want to hear more resolution...the "Ah-Ha!" moment is going to come with more refined amplification.
Sorry if this seems too blunt. I was trying to avoid commenting on your system in general, but your last post regarding not hearing a benefit unless you spent more money on a different DAC indicated to me you were headed down the wrong path.