The best DAC for the money

Why bother...the NAd has HDCD, 24 burr brown DAc, AND SOUNDS GREAT...

But not THAT great... ;)

Why not just upgrade the clock and opamp.
For $200, I did it to my Marantz CD67SE and it blew away
many stock CD players in $1000 TO $2000 retail price range.
Even better than the seperate DAC.

I don't really believe in mods if the original design is not up to your demands. It can be improved, but adding of new caps (what many mods do) but... I'd rather go mod something that is already very well designed. After clock and opamp there are too much other factors.

For the money you can't beat a Cal Audio Alpha. I see them used for 350+/- reguarily. This tube DAC has a slightly forward midrange and is just magnificent for vocals and small jazz groups. I prefer it in that aspect to my BAT.