The Nuforce DAC-9 does NOT contain ESS9018 chips. I have just taken one apart and found it contacts a pair of PCM1798 DAC chips. It also has a bunch of op-amps (nothing special). I took some pics of the insides, but agreed with the DAC's owner, a reseller, not to post them online.
I compared the DAC to my own Buffalo III ESS9018 DAC and this made the Nuforce DAC seem decidedly second rate.
I compared the DAC to my own Buffalo III ESS9018 DAC and this made the Nuforce DAC seem decidedly second rate.