1K dac

Check out the DACmini. Audio Advisor has a great return policy if you don't like it. I got mine directly from Centrance and its a keeper, for me.
There are a couple of great reviews on it over at PFO and 6moons.

Oh, and you'll come in $200 under your projected budget.

"have you heard the minimax ? based on the reviews, I don't think that It will be that great for me.
The ess9018 Is said to be bright in the treble. as I mostly listen through headphones I wonder if that brightness could lead to harshness..."

You would be sadly misled if you believe any of that. It simply is not true about the ess9018 and anyone that would say it has other issues with their system. I have heard 3 DAC/CD players using this chip and it is contrary to the above statement in all cases. NO harshness and NO brightness and if present my system would surely reveal it.

Customcoco,
If you`re still looking,on 6 moons.com there`s a current review of the CEtrance DAC with comparisons to both the Burson and Metrum Octave DACs.

Haven't heard anyone mention the WaveLength Proton.

Does anyone have experience with that against the other recommendations here?

I am also looking for a DAC. Have most of my music as AIFF files on a Mac mini. My amp is a Shindo Apetite and current speakers are Sonus Faber Toy's, considering a move to the DeVore 3XLs very soon.

Thanks for your input.

Charles do you have a link to it? im interested on reading comparisons with the Burson.