[taipan1013]

I am interested in purchasing a DAC/Headphone Amp under $1000.  I am considering Pro-Ject 2s or the SMSL M500.  They are MQA compatible.  Not sure I will use MQA but thought it might good to have this option.When reading reviews from Amazon and Crutchfield it appears that the Pro-Ject 2s has quality issues.  Have not been able to find any user comments/reviews on the SMSL M500.  Has anyone compare these to units and determined the best in sound and quality?  Any other recommendations for DAC/Headphone Amp under $1,000?Thank your for considering to help me.Greg

[witchdoctor]

I am ordering a modded Pro-Ject 2s and plan to pair it with a bluesound node as a streamer using the digital out. I have extensively compared MQA to 192/24, DSD, FLAC, etc and find the MQA to sound less "digital" and more like analog. Sometimes "hirez" digital sounds like a hyper detailed presentation which for me leads to listening fatigue over extended periods.
I can't listen to Quboz although Amazon hirez is a little better. Here is the link to the mod (you need to buy the player separately):

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9ciij-project-pre-box-s2-digital-da-converters

My experience with MQA is similar to this writers description at Tone Audio magazine:

https://www.tonepublications.com/review/why-mqa/