I guess best DAC under $2,000 depends on where you live and also whether you're willing to go secondhand too.   Here in Japan, and going secondhand, $2000 will get you pretty close to the Luxman DA-06. Haven't seen much on this site about it, but the reviews thus far are outstanding.......  ...

Interested to hear more about your experience with the Luxman DA-200. Particularly a comparison with the Chord Qute HD.   I'm in Japan, so I have ample opportunities to pick up the Luxman. Have you used it with speakers? I've got a SET 300b tube amp and full range speakers, looking for a DAC...

^^ Looking forward to that, very much.

+3

^^ Methinks you're missing the point.

Damn. Some really interesting ideas being laid out on this page.   Completely new to me is the idea of using SD cards for music files. Very interesting. How is the SQ for the SD cards in the Invicta? Sounds like they've put a lot of effort into it. Wonder what the advantages and disadvantages...

I've never heard it myself, but this seems like a good option. There's a separate thread on here about it.   http://schiit.com/products/modi

  I would think that the upgrade would attenuate the differences, no?

Thanks for that. I like the way you reason. I don't have any 32/192 content either. So I would probably be fine w/o USB. Thanks again.

  Interesting. Thanks.   This is kind of what I'm gathering from various sources around the web. Lots of potential, but takes money, work and wires to get there. Will be interesting to see whether the QuteEX has remedies these issues.   I can get the Qute for 1k. Thinking about going for it...

Interesting that the Chorc QuteHD hasn't been mentioned. Is this DAC unable to hold its own in this class?

Indeed. That would be ideal. However, in great contrast to the lax return policies found in the States, here in Japan a purchase is a final purchase (more or less). So I'm kind of stuck with it if I purchase. And I don't think the Concero is going to reel to much in on the secondhand market...

Using a macbook pro. Looks like the toslink is limited to 24/96.

  Thanks for sharing your (brief) experience with the Teac. I think the people I heard from were speaking both to the blandness you noted and also to some perceived issues with the device's design. But that is just a guess on my part. Anyway, I get the feeling that a lot of the hype with this...

Jexby, thanks for writing up your experience with USB vs. Toslink on the Bifrost.   Looks like USB is the way to go. Problem is that pushes the price of the Bifrost into some serious competition, especially when I'll also need to figure in the cost of shipping overseas. Hmmmm.........

Thanks for a very informative post.   You're absolutely right. I've heard some allusions to the UD-501 vs. the Concero, but nobody has actually put them in a head to head match.   I imagine that for a lot of people the Teac would be a no-brainer over the Concero for the same price. But I...

Can anyone compare sound quality for USB vs. Toslink on the Schiit Uber?   Wondering if there is a need to go for the USB upgrade, or if sound quality will be nearly as good using optical out of my Mac?

Hi guys,   I'm new here. But I've done my homework. I read through all 80+ pages of this very interesting thread! Thanks for all the reviews, opinions and discussion on this little DAC, you've helped me immensely.   I'm building my first system. Thus far I've got a Triode TRV-a300 amp (300b...