FWIW, I'll also vouch for the Cullen modded PS Audio DL III (stage 3 mod in my case)... I have never owned the Bel Canto, but a good friend as the DAC2, and IMO, the Cullen modded DL III was preferable; my friend, the owner of the DAC2 agreed. Disclaimer: I've never heard a stock DL III; I decided to get the Cullen modded version right away after listening to one at a get-together.