MAPMAN
What other digital gear have you heard that you feel approaches the level I heard thru newest dCS playback dac chipset and software? I know the Berkeley master II, Bricosti, Luxman, MBS stack have been highly touted at lower price points. I agree that optimizing digital is not an easy task, as the technology continues to evolve, and sometimes even comes down in price. Then add the newest hype flavor of the month, "MQA", which needs to be tuned and added to the specific dac chipset...which not all vendors will adapt.
I am still amazed at the beautiful sonic presentation I heard thru the dCS Rossini, as I never had the opportunity of hearing that brand...but it comes at a steep entry price point.