which tube dac? Lab 12 vs Line Magnetic vs Borderpatrol?

No experience with the DACs you’re interested in, but the Lab12 continues to be on my short list.

Kinda wish I didn’t sell my MHDT Paradisea - rolling op-amps was both interesting and surprising. At the moment I’ve been taking a very strong look at Space-Tech Laboratories out of Canada. AL has been extremely responsive with customization and adding volume control to his DACs. Website is from 1996, and the looks may not be for many - but I love the almost industrial steampunk-like style. Plus, I can’t afford a new LampizatOr with volume control. 

Just picked up a MHDT Orchid yesterday and I'm listening to it now.  I rolled a few tubes through it (stock type 5670, Western Electric  JW 2C51, and an Amperex 6922) and the Amperex wins..super nice sounding DAC.  My now former DAC was a Paradisea+.  The Orchid is certainly a step up, not a big surprise I suppose, but the Paradisea, in it's day, was a nice DAC, still is(for a second system). 

https://pt.audio/2023/03/12/lab12-dac1-review/

It's a.so been on PTA Best of Digital three years in a row.  2023, 24, 25.   Best product list 2023.    

Guttenberg loved it in his You Tube review.   

Really great sounding DAC.  

@oddiofyl There is a balanced version priced at $4000, TMR has it as a special order.