Recommendation of a AK4499EX-Based DAC?

[JohnGo]

If you were happy with the M400, HiFi-Express is currently selling the last ones for $442.
HiFi-Express M400 442,00 USD

There are many new and used preamps on the market, but few with balanced connections.
If SE is enough for you, you can look for a cheap Sabaj A10h, relay based volume control, display and remote control for under $100. With XLR you could, for example, go for a Toppling L70, also with relay based volume control, display and remote control.

Yes, I was also thinking about a new M400. It seems that I have special hearing that I can hear more treble with the M400. The rest are all the same, only the M400 is different. I didn't know this until now.
I want to try one more, the Topping DX9 with the same chip. If this is not good, then I will buy a new M400+preamp.
I have an XLR cable and the large display and the remote control are also important.
THX.

 

[Gradius]

More about DSD... hint: neither format is perfect (DSD, PCM, or whatever):

DSD vs. PCM: Myth vs. Truth

DSD vs. PCM: Myth vs Truth

www.mojo-audio.com

Also the MYTH of pure DSD.

 

[Roland68]

Yes, I was also thinking about a new M400. It seems that I have special hearing that I can hear more treble with the M400. The rest are all the same, only the M400 is different. I didn't know this until now.
I want to try one more, the Topping DX9 with the same chip. If this is not good, then I will buy a new M400+preamp.
I have an XLR cable and the large display and the remote control are also important.
THX.

The M400 is not special in any way, not even in the highs. It could be that interference or impurities in the high frequency range mix with those of your amplifier and amplify. But that is not something that is present in the music or belongs there.

The DX9 is definitely worth a try, also because of the relay-based volume control, the additional inputs and outputs and the AK4118 transceiver chip. And no MQA.