Boutique DACs

Merason dac1 mk2      Very analog Swiss dac a great dac and under $9 k

a true bargain 

How about the dCS Varèse.  Not a stand alone DAC, but deserves to be mentioned at the stratospheric level.

Then there is the Wadax Atlantis Reference

Whew!  Has anybody actually heard these?  I certainly haven't.

Aries Cerat Helen, Ithaka, Kassandra DACs

@audioman58 the merason is intriguing

@christos2323 aries cerat for sure. I considered a Helene until I discovered how big it is, ha!

I recently acquired a Wells Audio Cipher. Excellent sounding tube dac. Listening alongside the Laiv Harmony and Aavik D280 and it strikes a nice balance between the relaxed natural R2R Laiv and the very open, dynamic and detailed Aavik.