Any recommandations for a new DAC ?

[Docteur Poulet]

Hi everyone,

Please pardon my broken english because of omelette au fromage.
I currently have an Audiophonics Evo-Sabre DAC and I've planned to downgrade upgrade it with a Sonos Port.
All my others devices at home are Sonos (1x Sonos One SL, 2x Ikea Symfonisk, 1x Sonos Port).
Even if the Evo-Sabre is a great device, I don't really like the software (Volumio & Moose) which aren't as reliable as the Sonos one.

Others parts are Rowen AT1 active speakers (made by PSI Audio, really close to A215M), a Stanton ST150 turntable and a lot of good records.

I'm looking for a futur DAC with these specifics characteristic:

1. XLR output / also RCA output if external headophone amplifier
2. Good measurements of course
3. Headphone amplifier good enough for a Sennheiser HD650 and a Sennheiser HD25
   1. it can be internal (Topping DX7S, Topping DX7 Pro, RME ADI DAC...)
   2. OR external (Gustard H16, SMSL SH-9, SMSL SP200, Topping L30...)
4. The power part:
   1. it has an "auto standby" and "auto on" functionality when it recognize any audio signal
   2. OR it can be connected to a triggered power strip (the same as the active speakers) with these functionality:
      1. it keep in memory parameters (current input, current level and so on)
      2. it automatically turn on when powered
5. Price ≤ RME ADI DAC (less is better)

Here are the products I'm looking for:
- RME ADI2 DAC (the most expensive option)
- Gustard X16 + Gustard H16
- SMSL SU-9 + SMSL SH-9
- SMSL S200 + SMSL SP200
- Topping DX7 Pro
- SMSL SU-8 + Topping L30
- SMSL M300 MK2 + Topping L30

Do you know if these products meet my requirements ?

Thank you for your help

 

[RayDunzl]

Support your fellow Europeans so they can come ski at your resorts and buy your dairy products.

 

[Docteur Poulet]

Support your fellow Europeans so they can come ski at your resorts and buy your dairy products.

Of course the RME DAC is the "best option" but unfortunately the most expensive one.
If I can find a cheaper alternative for half the price, that's great !

 

[Davelemi]

I’d get the RME just for the Spectral Analyzer alone. Actually I did!

 

[Docteur Poulet]

I finally ended with a RME ADI-2 DAC!