As everybody probably aware, AKM (Asahi Kasei Microsystems) factory in Japan burned down in October of 2020, meaning the remaining stock of existing AKM DACs is very limited and quadrupled in price. And also, AK4490, AK4495, AK4497, and AK4499 just been issued official EOL (end-of-life) notice. Thus, DAP developers are working on non-AKM DAC models. Once AKM factory is rebuild and they start producing next gen DACs, thing will change, but for now it is what it is. ES9068AS is ESS flagship DAC, introduced last year.
For those who tried SP2000T at HKAV show today, can you please confirm if Tube (assuming NuTube korg modules) and Hybrid modes are SE or BAL? This will suggest how many NuTube modules are being used