Is the ''entry level'' DAC becoming extinct ?

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Entry level preamps could be in trouble too. Last weekend I heard an Oppo 105 connected directly to an amp, it was outstanding.
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MHDT (Taiwan) makes some really nice entry level tube dacs that are highly regarded. I have had a Paradisea+ in my headphone system for about five years and I am still impressed even compared to the Metrum Octave in the main system. They are also very modifiable and respond well to tube/opamp rolling.

Knew I forgot someone. Thanks Hew. Also, Scott Nixon has a tube DAC.

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The introduction of the new Audio Research CD9 cd player that includes a high-end dac with access to use other digital sources will probably start a trend for higher end dacs to be included on the majority of high end cd players and other digital sources.

The description of the CD9 can be found on The ARCDB page in the link below.

http://www.arcdb.ws/REFCD9/REFCD9.html
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"The introduction of the new Audio Research CD9 cd player that includes a high-end dac with access to use other digital sources will probably start a trend for higher end dacs to be included on the majority of high end cd players and other digital sources."

You mean like Wadia, Cary, Mark Levinson and Resolution Audio have been doing for over a decade? Nothing new here.....you could argue that Audio Research is late to the party, so late in fact that this Dac/Disc spinner at its price point is a questionable business move on their part.

It is a cool time to be interested in the hobby. I see so many on these forums yearning for the good old days.....these are the good old days! There are so many really nice choices in each category that people in all budget categories can build a really enjoyable system. Peace.