DAC with the best midrange ever.....

Dear Rapogee,
Not sure about the DAC with the best Mid-range that you desire. You might want to concider a Space Tech Lab DA-64XT Super. Balanced Vacuum Tube Output Stage with Vacuum Tube Rectification. If that is not enough Musical and Melodic enough for you, you might want to concider an STR-104 Vacuum Tube Rectifier as an add on to the DA-64XT Super. This entire Unit plugs into, and replaces the Power Rectifying Tube on the DAC. Double the Musical, Melodic, Soundstage depth, Dynamics, Air, and Harmonic content. Can't say that it is the best, but worth a Hell of allot more than it costs!

Currently, Museatex Bitstream outfitted with Furutech Gold IEC, provides ultimate musicality across the board.

Rx8man - I'm currently running a Bitstream over my Cal Alpha in my current PCaudio setup. Is yours modified? I'm really pleased with the detail and not quite sure what's to be gained from modding. Just curious of your experience before and after modding if that is the case.

I'm using a 32-bit DAC created out of a Denon 3910 by Alex Peychev that includes a Class A tube output stage, among other refinements. The sound is pretty amazing - no problems after 6 months. He is working on several commercially viable DACs using the latest 32-bit AKM DAC chips as I write this. Not sure when they will be available, but when they are, definitely worth checking out.

huge analog fan, best midrange ever, doesn't like the Benchmark...i'm thinking at the very least NOS and something with tubes.

I like the Kora Hermes 2 that I have been using for the last 4-5 years. I went through multiple DACs to settle on this. I does handle 192/24, but it doesn't upsample.