Shadorne, I'm with you, my feelings exactly. Plus, while all these posts address only the dac aspects of the DAC1, let's also remember that the DAC1 is much more, i.e., it's also a preamp and headphone amp all in one chassis,which the other dacs are not. Plus, I have the HDR version so it's also a preamp for an analog source (not just digital) and it has a remote.
I would also suggest, as another poster has mentioned in prior posts, that the DAC1 responds strongly to various improvements in ancillary equipment (which to me indicates its inherent quality), including upgrades in transport, power cable and fuses. I'm using a Mark Levinson transport, Shunyata Python Helix power cords and HiFi tuning fuses, with transport and DAC plugged into a Shunyata Hydra 8 power conditioner. All produced improvements.
I would also suggest, as another poster has mentioned in prior posts, that the DAC1 responds strongly to various improvements in ancillary equipment (which to me indicates its inherent quality), including upgrades in transport, power cable and fuses. I'm using a Mark Levinson transport, Shunyata Python Helix power cords and HiFi tuning fuses, with transport and DAC plugged into a Shunyata Hydra 8 power conditioner. All produced improvements.