I’d consider an iFi DAC like the Nano ($200) or Micro ($350). They sound great, have a nice headphone amp built-in, can be used portably and can play every format including DSD. Digital is a rapidly changing field and there is a LOT that can be tried with a computer attached - options are good, and IMO these have the ‘right’ options.
It’s easy to blow-off DSD if you only consider it an issue for music in that format, but there is other nuggets down that path (like on-the-fly conversion of everything to the highest DSD rate a chipset supports natively) and it is nice to be able to give these things a listen someday to see if you like them. Flexibility is a good thing and IMO makes messing with digital fun and rewarding, especially if you find a path that really suits your ear – I certainly did and now put digital right up there with vinyl on the enjoyment scale, maybe even better when you consider variety, convenience and flexibility. Don't think I'd say that if I never considered what is possible with DSD.
It’s easy to blow-off DSD if you only consider it an issue for music in that format, but there is other nuggets down that path (like on-the-fly conversion of everything to the highest DSD rate a chipset supports natively) and it is nice to be able to give these things a listen someday to see if you like them. Flexibility is a good thing and IMO makes messing with digital fun and rewarding, especially if you find a path that really suits your ear – I certainly did and now put digital right up there with vinyl on the enjoyment scale, maybe even better when you consider variety, convenience and flexibility. Don't think I'd say that if I never considered what is possible with DSD.