Breakout DAC for 2013?

Depending on where you get it the Chord QuteHD is in your price bracket. To me it represents a new standard in price-performance - its the first DAC that actually bested my beloved PDX (admittedly with less than optimum valves) - and its considerably cheaper - amazing achievement.

Thanks
Bill

I agree with Elzabeth that DACs are a highly flavor of the month and giant killer hype prone category of electonics. In my limited experience there are not game changing breakthrough technologies, but by and large you get what you pay for (with clear price/performace leaders in each price range of course). Having said that, D/A technology (and price performance) has been steadily improving over the year.

Above your price range at $2K, but the new Benchmark HGC is very interesting. I'm trying one out, have had it in my system for less than a week so far and am initially quite impressed, I owned their original DAC1 and, from memory, the new unit sounds not anything like it. I need to hear the Chord QuteHD among others.

"I am only railing at the idea out there is some magic DAC no one has heard of which is perfect, dirt cheap, infinitely upgradeable, and ALL my friends will look at with awe.. NOT."

Elizabeth .. I don't believe the OP was asking about dirt cheap, magic DACs, just DACs of interest in the $1500 range (which is hardly dirt cheap to many). I agree with Bill regarding the QuteHD and recommend giving it a listen.