new dac; how to choose? general advice

[b17m4p]

This is not a typical DAC recommendation request post.

Quick background: I've had a benchmard dac1 for two years (non usb obviously). I have never been completely happy with the sound I was getting. The dac was 'recognition' wise the best component in my chain so I had assumed that the problem lay elsewhere but now I think it was the dac itself. I'm putting together a new system with

MacBook -> {some dac} -> RSA Apache -> Zuified Senn HD650

The way I chose the Apache and the cans I feel was an important evolution in my audiophile 'career'. While I used reviews to inform my initial choices: I actually hauled my ass down to Ray's place and auditioned some of his amps (finding out I absolutely loved Apache and didn't quite like some others as much). Similarly with the cans, I was fortunate enough to get a chance to hear a pair.

I feel like this is an important approach for me to start taking with every purchase. However I'm finding this extremely difficult to do with my DAC choice. I definitely don't want to just read some threads and reviews and get another product based purely on that (I guess the Bel Canto DAC3 would be the current hottest thing in my price range); but I can't seem to locate any meets where I could hear any of the products I am interested in (btw currently I'm in upstate NY so if anybody has something that might work for me I would love to meet up and listen). I know some people audition products from dealers - my problem with that is that I'm usually a used gear bargain hunter; and I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking I would buy from them if I don't intend to.

Some of the dacs that came into my attention are (I definitely want balanced and would prefer to have USB, although just optical is fine):
Bel Canto DAC3
PS DLIII (modded?)
Lavry DA10
feel free to add suggestions, thats not the most pertinent part of this thread for me but I'd definitely appreciate them if they come up

I'm not hoping that someone will say something that will let me choose one of these. That would be contrary to the entire spirit of this post. But how would you guys approach making this decision?

I can be happy with the benchmark for a while so its not like I'm in a hurry, I wanna make this decision right.

cheers

[1UP]

Simplest has to be trying some of them on a loan/return basis. Or buying used on the understanding you can just sell it on again if it's not your cup of tea. Sticking to known brands like the ones on your shortlist will keep your money safe.

[krmathis]

Any local dealers in your area maybe, where you can audition some of the mentioned DAC's? Both the Bel Canto and Lavry are highly regarded, but hard to say how they will fit into your system and preferences.

Or just jump on one of them, and resell if its not what you really want.

[1UP]

Just FYI, here's a recent review also on the new Bryston