best DAC' choice between $1K-$2K?


Its time for me to plan my annual upgrade splurge and this year the target area is DAC replacement. The DAC I use now is the PS Audio DLink III, its powerfull, detailed, but computer audio is showing the DAC's weaknesses with a design based on 2006 digital technology.

Looking for a musical sounding DAC...I can deal with tonal balance variances and dynamics that aren't spot on but a piece of gear that distorts overtones, doesn't have correct time decay and struggles with digital defects will have me moving on within 5 minutes of listening.

I've seen good things on the Metrum Octave but its lacking in design features like a headphone section and 192khz support. Bel Canto seemed popular at the DC Audio show and is recent enough in design to have longevity.

Wondering what in the new purchase market folks think is the class champ between $1K-$2K for a DAC with 192K support, headphone output, volume control for direct to amp and the most natural sound. I have a quality asynch to USB converter so that feature is of minimal importance to me.

The new Oppo 105 looks like an interesting alternative but I doubt its competitive against a DAC in this range and I've seen no serious reviews yet to compare against other known good gear.
128x128davide256
You should definitely check out the Lynx Hilo it has everything you ask for and more. Great sounding and great to play with.
Got the Hilo, very nice and pricing is $1850/usb and $1725/non usb. Killer sound, very good soundstage and 3D. So far better IMO than the Anedio D2 and NAD 51.
Happycamper,
Were you able to do a direct comparison between the Lynx Hilo, Nad M51 and Anedio D2?