depends on how cnofident you are about spending ??? money.
under $1.5K I'd not worry much. especially if its popular. popularity does mean a lot if you can not audition it in your outfit, because you can flip it later fairly quickly. If it is not popular, or is quite expensive, things change suddenly.
the presentation is the key for me. many DACs now are very dcompetnent and possess good SQ. Where they place you in the hall or venue, or how well they bring the concert to you is my issue. I prefer an up front, first third of the audience area setting. midway back, or rear of hall presentation is a deal breaker for me.
but there are concerns as to synergy. the point of reference can be altered by inserting a mid hall DAC into an already up front system!
the cost often dictates if you'll be listening in a showroom or in your home.
Current dACs I'd buy will do the entire gamut of formats or I would not consider it. it if offers an upgrade path or firmware upgrades, those have to bve seen as attractive aspects too.
