DAC recommendation in the $1k range


Hey all,

I'm looking to upgrade from my PS Audio Digital Link III and wanted some help finding a candidate. My requirements, in addition to sounding great, are that it must be balanced, and it must either have remote input selection or auto-selection of inputs.  DSD is a plus, but I'm on the fence as to whether or not I'd use it (even though I did really love SACD while I had a player).  I don't need pre-amp or headphone amp capabilities.

So far the most interesting candidates I've found are: 
BMC PureDAC
PS Audio Nuwave DSD
PS Audio PerfectWave MK II

Obviously the PerfectWave is the highest pedigree but also the most "dated" being a couple years older and lacking DSD.  But if it's the best DAC of the bunch then I'll pull the trigger.

Any thoughts on these? Any options I'm not thinking of?
hudsonhawk
A new kid on the block that seems to flying under the radar so far is Gustard Audio's DAC X20. $870 delivered (you'll probably want the USB option) on Amazon. Normally I don't go in for Chinese gear, but this may turn out to be an exception for me. What makes it special is that it runs on a fistful of ESS DAC chips and has fully separate lines for both PCM and DSD...does DSD 64 with USB and 128 with I2S. Casual review of the casual reviews so far seem to suggest it takes on all comers anywhere in its price range.

Additionally, Ric Schultz over at EVS, is already offering mods on it saying that, when modded, it's even a bit better than his modded Oppo 105. He also says it looks to be well engineered except for the 120v power supply (the Chinese apparently are not all that up close and personal with 120v in that country...), but that some simple mods there will work wonders and put it well ahead of its usual competition. I think he offers that mod for $425 or $450 if I'm not mistaken, or he shows you on his site for free how you can do the mods yourself, if you're up for that sort of thing.

If you plan only to use Redbook cd (PCM) then I suggest the Shitt Gungnir with the multibit upgrade option, if you can stretch another $200.

As mutilbit will do justice to Redbook as it is "bit perfect", where Delta Sigma won’t be as good as it only gives a facsimile of it, though it can do DSD.

Schitt Yaggy, which also uses a similar Multibit d/a converter as the Gungnir with Multibit option.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/shiit-yggdrasil

https://wiki.analog.com/resources/quick-start/ad5791

Cheers George

The NAD M51 can be found used around $1k-$1100.....it is a great DAC for the money.   

Corrections on above post.  The Gustard actually does DSD 64 and DSD 128 via usb and DSD256 and possibly DSD512 via I2S.  Does not have separate paths for DSD and PCM.   The other stuff is true. Blows all DACs away under $3000.  Modded, we shall see what it can do soon versus the big boys.  So far, better than Yggy, Wryed for Sound DAC2DSD SE, Vega, M51, etc.  And this is stock....read this about the mods:  http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?20414-EVS-modified-Gustard-X20-Gustard-X20-thread

Quadman prefers digital upsampled to DSD128 via HQplayer on the level 1 modded Gustard to his $20,000 turntable with $5000 cartridge......pretty sweet.