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DAC recommendation in the $1k range

Hey all,

I'm looking to upgrade from my PS Audio Digital Link III and wanted some help finding a candidate. My requirements, in addition to sounding great, are that it must be balanced, and it must either have remote input selection or auto-selection of inputs.  DSD is a plus, but I'm on the fence as to whether or not I'd use it (even though I did really love SACD while I had a player).  I don't need pre-amp or headphone amp capabilities.

So far the most interesting candidates I've found are: 
BMC PureDAC
PS Audio Nuwave DSD
PS Audio PerfectWave MK II

Obviously the PerfectWave is the highest pedigree but also the most "dated" being a couple years older and lacking DSD.  But if it's the best DAC of the bunch then I'll pull the trigger.

Any thoughts on these? Any options I'm not thinking of?
hudsonhawk

Showing 1 response by captelee

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captelee
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A two-unit (small component) set-up well under $1K, the iFi iUSB3.0 > iFi Micro iDSD DAC that will smoke most DACs three times the cost.
All the iFi line sound great at a very low price point:http://ifi-audio.com/home/products/micro/
I travel for work constantly, but after using iFi gear at work I also run the above at home on my not-so-portable McIntosh 601s > B&W 802d and still find iFi one of the best DACs out there at any price.
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