Seeking Advice on NOS DAC


Looking to purchase an NOS DAC, budget is $1500.
Currently available for sale are:

- Metrum Acoustics Hex digital converter  (used)
- Metrum Acoustics Amethyst DAC       (new)
- Acoustic Plan Digimaster Tube DAC     (used)
This is a German-built NOS, 24-bit R-2R resistor ladder network, PCM1704U-K converter with 4 tube EC 86 triode outputs.
- HOLO Audio Spring DAC – LEVEL 2    (new, but over my budget of $1500)

My primary listening is via the PS Audio PWT, while music files on my Mac are steadily increasing. I’m thinking NOS due to my large collection of Redbook CD's.

So, any experience or comments on which way to proceed is appreciated.

128x128lowrider57
If you like the non over sampled sound, multibit Schitt or La Scala are excellent choices with the Schitt “Gumby” being quite a bargain and the “Yiggy” of reference quality. I’d advise frequenting Computer Audiophile for opinions on DAC’s as Agon isn’t that up to date on digital trends. The Johnny Darko DAC index is also useful.
Thanks, everybody. I should have mentioned that I auditioned the Schiit “Gumby” and it sounded a bit too aggressive in my system. Excellent dynamics and soundstaging, but my system is very revealing and it wasn't what I was looking for.
  I've owned a Chord with FPGA and found it very smooth, so the Exogal Comet Plus is on my list. The FPGA that reshapes the waveform is a major advance in DAC technology.

Because of the low Input Sensitivity on my tube amp (1V), I'm limited to a DAC with good volume control or one with low output voltage such as the Metrum Acoustics Hex.

And thanks, David. I'll check out the Darko DAC index. I like his reviews.