Need a DAC Recommendation.

Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3 is excellent for about $1350 if you're looking for a pre-amp, streamer, DAC integrated.

I forgot about that Audio GD line. That is a very impressive unit. Going to check it out. 

Wow, the  Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3 has gone up in price. It is pretty good and I owned it for about 6 months. I bought it on Black Friday for $850. However, for $1350 it is no where close to the Gustard X26 Pro at $1500 (I got for $1350 new). 

The Benchmark DAC3B is a bit better than the  Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3. However, the all in one nature of the  Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3 is a great selling point.

It is pretty apparent that the selection of sub $1500 DACs includes
some very satisfying products.

The Euro lines are very enticing too.

I won't bother mentioning my maker as they are so backed up with
orders my $500 reclocker upgrade might be further postponed.

I was just reading the asr of the new topping d90se and the gustard x26.

Both measure great but the 3rd harmonic of the new topping is-130db and the gustard is-115.

John Curl has studied this and finds that the odd order harmonics is really bad. 

No company ever indicates which order of harmonic is being produced by their product. 

I can tell you,  this is what makes a product sound musical. 

Remember,  no instruments or human voice ever goes above about 4khz.

But it's the harmonics that allow you to tell the difference between a violin playing a c note or if it's a piano.