I can't help you with the Gungnir, but I can offer some input on DACs under $1000. I had a chance to try out the Peachtree Dac-itX, which has an ESS Sabre chip and does 24/192 USB, and I thought so highly of it that I went all the way and got one of Peachtree's Grand Integrated X-1 units. And prices were higher then - a Dac-itX is now only $299. I'm sure there will be buyers who look at that price and conclude that there's no way it can sound good at that money (the old "you get what you pay for" axiom), but I compared the Peachtree head-to-head, in the same system, on the same speakers, against the $1800 Line Magnetic LM-502CA and I could not tell the difference between the two (in solid state mode on the LM). For $299, your risk is so low, and if you decide to upgrade in a year and you sell the Peachtree you'll be out very little money. I'm a big fan of being able to try new electronics for very little money and minimal loss in transaction costs, and it's hard to do much better than $299 these days for a good dac. Best of luck in your search.
