Stephen... you got me thinking some more... Playback Designs have apparently released a DAC only MPD-3... still up there at $6500 but if it sounds anything like the other stellar megabuck Playback Design players it might be awesome and almost affordable at the same time... hmmm, could be a very happy partner for a Shindo or C-J pre
Playback Designs - MPD-3
cheers
Graham
Main Music:Pure Music>Wireworld silver starlight USB>Mac Air with 256GB SSD>Wireworld silver eclipse 6 ICs >Calyx DAC>Shindo Aurieges L>Sanders Magtech>Wireworld Silver Eclipse 6 SC>Magnepan 3.7
Head Music: Audeze LCD2 and AKG 702>Violectric V200 headphone amp
Also: Meridian>Straightwire and Kimber ICs>Peachtree Nova>Quicksilver GE 8417 monos>biwired Kimber 8tc>Proac Response 2