".....I experimented with a number of DACs in the <$1000 range, one of which was "Class A" rated. My conclusion is that there’s very little difference between them...almost completely identical in sound. I cannot speak for something like a $5k DAC, but "budget" DACs just don’t improve anything. ..."
+1
yup...in the sub-$1000 strata, (ignoring the sub $250 dime a dozen ) there is negligible to nil performance differentiation between the DAC choices. It’s a just pick one-of-’em
Exercise.
You have to comfortably break the $2,000 Pricepoint strata to start streaming them into meaningful audio performance contenders and pretenders... and they become much more bespoke system synergy sensitive.
Oncs you hit the "meaty" hi-fi performance levels as you break through the $5,000 DAC barrier, it gets really interesting IF AND ONLY IF you already have an audio system worthy and actually capable of that kind of superior performance I.e. It is in the same or better quality build, performance output and --of course-- price strata.