Dedicated DAC vs Sonos Port ? (don’t laugh)

[Andrerobot]

Hi Everyone,
I’m looking for some honest advice…
Many years ago I was interested in audio, but only had the budget of a twenty something early in his career. At the time I “settled” on a Mark Levinson 383 integrated and a pair of Focal Electra BE bookshelf speakers. Eventually I’d developed other interests and time moved on.
Now decades have passed- much has changed- except for the amp and speakers.
Recently the audio bug bit. This time around the budget is understandably bigger. However, as it was all those years ago, the industry seems awash in snake oil and bs, and as before I trust little of what I read. So while I can reasonably afford what ever I might want, I also have no interest in over paying for anything.
I have some thoughts on speaker options (this is an easy one as I’d be moving to full range).
Where I’m looking for input is wrt a DAC.
Currently I have a Sonos Port diving the 383 via the analog rca line outs. Hardly the stuff of audiophile pornography, I realize, but it’s convenient and meshes with all the other Sonos and apple stuff around the house.
What I’m wondering- would putting a $2000-$5000 DAC into the mix make a meaningful difference. Plenty of YouTubers claim so, but at least one of them also claimed that upgrading to a $60 usb cable improved his base response and “widened the soundstage” (a phrase which by know I equate with bullshit). And here’s where the discussion becomes difficult- by meaningful, I don’t mean “different”. Rather, I mean “more lifelike” in a way that doesn’t involve stretches of the imagination and placebo effect?
And- how much does price matter?
Thanks

 

[gvl]

DACs don’t change sound. Your Sonos Port is likely up to snuff, if you have an itch to buy a new DAC plenty of excellent options exist under $300.

 

[Rja4000]

What I’m wondering- would putting a $2000-$5000 DAC into the mix make a meaningful difference.

And here’s where the discussion becomes difficult- by meaningful, I don’t mean “different”. Rather, I mean “more lifelike” in a way that doesn’t involve stretches of the imagination and placebo effect?
And- how much does price matter?
Thanks

On a pure audio transparency point of view, a cheap DAC is all you may want.
I don't know the Sonos port, but there is a great chance it's good enough.

The difficult part is always to make sure it's still good enough at the actual level you'll use it: to give an example, if your amp has a sensitivity of 250mV - that means a 250mV signal at the input will give you full power at the output - but has no volume control, you'll have to dial down your DAC by as much as 18dB. That's basically 18dB you throw away from your DAC performance. That's a lot.
But in your case that should not be any issue.

What DOES make a difference between DACs is functionality.
Dirac room eq or a good quality multi band parametric EQ, "Loudness" low frequency compensation, a good headphones output, multiple inputs Choice, choice of level ranges, informative display, robust clock, ...
All that may make a real difference.
And in some cases very objectively audible.

 

[fritobugger]

With that budget, I'd be looking at new floorstanding speakers if you have the space for them.