Need Balanced DAC with optical and coaxial inputs for 2 channel home theater system

It is a good thing I am in no hurry since I changed my mind again on a possible DAC selection.

The exaSound DAC e22 Mark II ($3,500) has gotten great reviews but it is expensive and I prefer to buy from a USA Company. This unit is very interesting but I prefer not to have two boxes in my family room.

The Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSD SE is very good but it is priced beyond what I want to pay ($2,765).  

The NAD Master M51 DAC ($2,000) seems to be popular but I had problems getting pre-sale product information.  If I have a problem with the M51 pre-sale info, getting after sale technical support could be a problem. In addition, I prefer a USA made product.

The Ayre QB-9 DC and the Ayre Cordex DAC are both excellent products but neither has the necessary optical and coaxial inputs I require.  As I stated above, I am not willing to change my wiring connections to HDMI as required by the Ayre Codex. I am disappointed the Ayre DAC's do not have the two input connections I require.   

The Benchmark DAC2 HGC has been highly recommended by friends and it looks excellent. It is made in the USA and priced at $1,999. The unit has four balanced 32-bit D/A converters that are summed together to create each balanced analog output.  Does anyone have any comments on the Benchmark DAC2 HGC?

http://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/digital-to-analog-audio-converter/products/benchmark-dac2-hgc-...

It seems I am changing my mind every week but this is based on new facts and product information. I am reading all the various posts and reviews I can find.   Once I decide on a product, I will bring it into my system to see how it sounds.  Thanks again for all your help.

demoed at home for 2 weeks the Benchmark Dac2 and Mcintosh D100, kept the Mcintosh, it's beautiful.  New D150 (same as D100 but does DSD) is $3k.

good luck

 Here is a solution for multi source coax and opt inputs with Opt output for convenience while still maintaining Ayre Codex level performance.
   1177A zu opt/coax switcher.
 


http://www.cs1.net/pic/audio_authority/1177A-1_back.jpg

Hi audioconnection,  Thanks for your suggestion for a optical/coaxial switcher box.  It is an interesting concept but I prefer not to add an addition box to my family room cabinet (and prefer a single box solution).

After additional review, I decided to pass on the Benchmark DAC2 HGC because it is NOT FULLY balanced AND requires the DAC’s internal jumper cables to be adjusted to match my Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier.  My Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier requires a high quality balanced input so I need  fully balanced DAC. 

I am now researching the Wyred 4 SoundDAC-2 DSDse. It is fully balanced, has good quality sound, has XLR outputs including optical and coaxial inputs. The reviews are very good and it should work fine in my 2-channel home theater system.  Thanks again for all your help.  

you can also look at bryston bda dac