I would recommend you listen to a Goldnote DS1000, which runs “only” $8k. I have a DS10, and a good friend of mine had a DCS Bartok (not Apex). We did head-to-head listening tests. With the optional external power supply, I preferred my Goldnote to his DCS - more midrange magic, and at less than half the price. There are a number of Goldnote dealers in Texas. Another interesting choice is a Simaudio 681 at $12k; again, more flesh on bones than dcs imho.
Enough is Enough
I've been looking at changing my DAC. I was considering Lampizator, Playback Designs, and Ideon. Recently a dealer basically told me(with the exception of my subwoofer and music server) my system sucks. He went on to say, I should sell my amps, preamp, DAC, speakers, and start all over! I've owned several different speakers, amplifiers, and DACs. I've attended shows and several different dealers show rooms. In fact, I directly compared one of the amplifiers the dealer recommended to a Rowland 625 S2 amplifier and preferred the 625 S2. I didn't build my system in a vacuum. I determined what I wanted to spend, listened and purchase what I preferred. I've been in sales and submit it would have been better to recommend a DAC that would improve my system. So now I say, maybe enough is enough; because no matter what I have some dealer will tell me it's crap and I have to start over.