Best DAC under 400£ ?

I'm pretty happy with the Schiit Audio Bifrost Uber (available in the UK from Electromod) as part of my home office headphone listening setup. I listen to modern jazz, classical, and world. I have not done detailed side-by-side comparisons, but this DAC with a Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amp achieves surprisingly good clarity and sound stage for the price. 

There is the Arcam irDAC, although I haven't heard it myself.

I chose between the D1050 and the irDac when I had approximately the same budget. Based on reviews I picked the irDac because it should be the more natural of the two. Though I never heard the D1050 it should be a bit warmer/bassier. Still using the irDac and never regreted buying it

Not sure how much the Rega DAC retails for but I'm sure you could pick a s/h one up for less than £400.

Second hand Rega DAC goes for about $500 USD so I would think that you could get one under budget.  Good luck.

possible you could get a dealer demo at your price?

I'd make sure you get a demo of the Rega DAC before committing your hard earned.

When I had a good listen the two words that came to mind were "blackboard" & "fingernails"

One of the other listeners at the time wanted to persevere so much I actually put ear plugs in. 

John

Maybe the Auralic Aries mini could be interesting?

It is supposed to get on the market in Sept. Price around £400.  It is a wireless streamer/dac with the possibility of installing a hdd/ssd. It plays "all" formats up to 24/384 PCM, quad rate DSD, and Tidal. All wirelessly if you want. The iOS app of Auralic is top notch. (compared to Naim and Linn, which is what I used/have)

I only know/heard it's bigger brother the Aries several times and I really liked it. This though, has a external linear power supply, dual Femto clocks, better wireless and more connection options.

I spoke to a friend of mine who uses an Aries and tested Aries mini, he was very impressed.

Have a google, maybe it ticks your boxes?

Cheers and success in finding the right dac.

and what about iFi Micro, a bit more money but is it better than Nano?

What about Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100? 

Looked at Rega homepage, and it has 5 different filter settings. Possible if was on a non optimal setting?

Thanks for all suggestions!

My dealer has a Rega DAC as Ex Dem. Going to try it at home within a week or so.

Report will follow.

This would be out of character in my experience with the DAC.  Although i would say the sound is lacking unless the unit has been powered up for several hours.  You have to leave the Rega Dac on for it to sound its best. ( just like our Naim amps). 

Tried a few of the settings, I wanted to like the box, as it was on a list of possibles.

Had been powered up for quite a while, and was run in. Also in a system I knew well, so I knew what changes it was bringing.

John