I did not have a chance to hear it unmodded. However I reckon for about USd500 more than retail price, its no brainer to me.
Well compare to a benchmark its knock out in round 1. Its so much more analog sounding. I listen it for hours at time without feeling fatigue unlike benchmark, which even though its transparent sounding but certainly thin and digital sounding
Search dac section- bryston bda-1 se signature. True harmonix
Just a satisfy customer