I needed only one message of yours to understand we will never be able to listen to the same system 
I second the streamer recommendation but will add getting a good cable. I ditched my SU-6 and replaced it basically with a FTA Calisto for about the same price. Can’t say I miss the Singxer.
When I got the MZ3 I first used my Bifrost to have some balance, then after like 2 songs switched it out with the Soekris and was still like “where’s the pain???” I assume you enjoy warmer, smoother gear?
That’s actually a good point. I haven’t upgraded my cables at all since I kept upgrading my gear and wanted to wait for that to settle so I actually know which cables to get. One of my many audio sins is using an RCA cable that sometimes acts up with crackly noises.
I looked at cable prices very recently and it kills me that I will have to shell out like 300$ for just one cable to fit into the system I’ve acquired.
I’ve noticed I’ve been accepting some more balanced signatures lately but yes I’ve had the Enleum for a while (very smooth, tad warm) and Spring 3 DAC and my Rockna, LTA and WA33 aren’t exactly ear piercing gear but to each his own lol
I’m still trying to get over that but this is where the price relative to the system general cost makes it (a little) more digestible to me.
Haha. That’s awesome that you liked it. 
I have mine paired to the Qutest via TOSLINK (Rob Watts preferred input for his DACs). iPad Pro > X-SPDIF 2 > Qutest > MZ3.
I’m really happy with this setup.
I also tried the X-SPDIF 2 to the HMS > Qutest. It seemed to make less of a difference there than directly to the Qutest. Which makes sense since the HMS is likely reclocking prior to upscaling.
The other thing that I really like about the X-SPDIF 2 is that all outputs are active, so it makes it easier to run multiple DACs via one usb source.
I don’t have a ton of experience with the DDCs that you mentioned but I’ve had the Denafrips Hermes, Singxer SU-6, and am currently using the Audiobyte Hydra Z.
In my system, the Hermes didn’t really do much (had a Ygg at the time) and the SU-6 was a slight improvement in my system. The Hydra Z has been the best out of the three and IMO has made my system more dynamic and interesting. If you can find one, that would be a good choice. However, since it’s discontinued, the Audio-gd DI20he seems to be the one to get if you’re looking for one of the best that’s currently in production. There’s a huge thread about it on hf so that would be a good place to research.
True enough. I suppose they’re still part of the system and, as you say, a smaller percentage in price still, perhaps equally to the performance they can offer/upgrade. Will still have to process this for a while longer before I jump in the deep end.
What’s the HMS?
What would be the use cases for this? Trying out headphones on different chains?
Thanks for the input! Could you possibly share some impressions regarding brightness, dryness etc.?
hf = head-fi?
I knew I was hanging out with the wrong group. I was considering spending 300 or 700 bucks for a ddc and am now looking at streamers for 1500.
Some more reading material for you
Thank you very much I’ve also added the Lumin and Auralic threads to my open threads to pore over.
I think you’re right, at this point it might be best to go directly to a streamer. I also very much like the idea of getting away from my pc to listen to audio so this weighs heavily in my decision.
I do feel a little time-pressured in all this since the Berkeley dac should reach me by next week, if not this week.
It’s more about variety for me. I’ve had a couple of DACs in the past but I’m down to one currently. With the DDC it made switching source chains up a little easier.
Hugo M Scaler (HMS). I loved it and would like to eventually get one. I know many think it’s not a good value proposition (and I agree), but I really loved the pairing and ultimately it’s about enjoyment in listening.
My personal experience has been that i have seen a nice improvement at the source, ie streamer, individual albums and service. Next has been DAC then transducers or HP. The amplifier has the most wiggle room unless the transducers or HP are particularly picky.
The Singer SU-6 works well.
I had a chance to listen to my Berkeley via old tablet to alpha usb played on a very high end system. My much less expensive system sounds better off a streamer. Thus it is my opinion based on first hand experience using my own subjective taste for music character; If you twisted my arm, my advice to you is that you will get better “bang for your euro” if you upgrade your music source as opposed to the DDC upgrade. 
I was going to mention the new Xspdif-3 glad I read a head for once before chiming in.
I also have had no complaints with my Xspdif-2 using an external psu (iFi Xpower) You could use a better lpsu but then the cost reaches up into where you could be getting one of the Singxer or Denafrips options.
Also source - getting off the PC connected to your DAC is/was for me the most noticeable improvement Sound Quality wise - wherein the DDC helped with SQ but after getting off the PC as a source the DDC became more a tool when I wanted to use AES or I2S instead of USB.
Has anyone tried the Gustard R26 yet? It’s currently on sale and it’s been pretty popular among the reviewers.
That sounds lovely, having just one dac around. Do you have multiple amps or do you possess just one source chain now?
Buying the MZ3 has made me value preference and the certainty of getting something you like a lot more for purchase decisions. Putting that into the equation makes it more sensible to spend the extra money. (
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Could you elaborate on that, please? Are you saying the source makes the biggest difference in terms of (technical) improvements? (Then dac, then transducer?)
I’ve taken your advice to heart and am currently looking for streamers to spend my money on.
I’m glad you’re confirming a streamer makes more sense now than a ddc. Definitely willing to spend the extra money to make the switch if I can find something suitable.
I certainly have a lot of questions still which I hope you’ll help me solve 
:
The PC, laptop, phone seems to be on average the bigger of all bottlenecks when streaming directly out of a USB. Since I experienced my biggest improvements in spending funds on USB cables and DDC’s. The funds spent would have captured more value in going to a proper streamer and yes even a less expensive dedicated streamer seems to be a better value especially in your use case if you can avoid USB all together and cut out the need for a DDC by having a streamer that provides a good aes or bnc output.
My biggest issues were always jitter, mechanical noises and to be honest clarity, precision, depth, stage all improved allowing the more expensive components further down the chain to actually perform and show their strengths and qualities.
The value between a $300 Pi streamer and a $20k top of the line is up to you. I promise and swear anything is better than a PC based source. It doesn’t need to cost thousands IMO. Value is a subjective choice, clarity and soundstage you will hear and distinguish yourself.
You need to avoid bottlenecking that Berkeley as best as possible and this is the better solution in my opinion.
Other experienced users please feel free to correct anything I have stated that may be wrong please. 
I own zero local files and felt the improvements.
I use the G1 and it’s a good streamer. Especially after the PSU upgrade. It supports wifi that for me was important compared to the Lumin.
Just one source chain for now. I’d like to expand it in the future with another amp and DAC. Maybe something R2R for the DAC, and most likely an HPA-1 since I think it’ll pair well with any planars that I’m interested in.
Yeah, I figured out not to long ago to that this hobby is more akin to preferences than anything else. Find the flavors you like and enjoy!
Interested in getting an amp in the mid range area that is great for SE, tubes are welcomed. I was thinking something along the lines of a G111 but the real focus was something with great staging. Open to suggestions. (DAC: Gumby)
What’s your definition of mid range?
Probably should have stated that 
$500 - $1000
So maybe not mid-range… late-entry.