Hey Diseree...
Thanks again for the list. Here are my impressions. Listed in order of desire, not in order of purchase likelihood.
1)
FOSTEX HP-A8C (fully path-thru except DoP, with discrete HPA)
- >> Only one Coax input, but I could make it work. This is one sweet unit!! I love the SD card slot for DSD. A bit above my price range, but might be worth the stretch.
2)
Nmode X-DP1/X-DP1-HF (path-thuru from Coax and optical, except feed from USB, with digial HPA, japanese domestic model)
- >> Wow. Great option. Expensive, but not as costly as the Fostex. A nice DAC with a lot of features. Availability... sketchy. I have never heard of this brand, but I like the specifications.
3)
Audiolab M-DAC (Full pass-through optical and Coax, HPA)
- >> Not on your list, but has received great reviews, great price - Top of purchase likelihood list at this point.
4)
Cambrige Audio DacMagic Plus (as you know)
- >> Yeah. I know. Has most of what I want. Might be looking for something just a bit better for SQ.
The rest are nice, but not considered.
FOSTEX HP-A7 (fully path-thru, USB is up to 96KHz/24bit, not for export, japanese domestic model) - >>No Coax output. Non-starter.
Luxman DA-200 (fully path-thru, USB is up to 96KHz/24bit, with OPamp HPA) - >> Nice... but way beyond price range.
Luxman DA-06 (fully path-thru except DSD, DAC only, no HPA, high end, very expensive) - >> Can't even consider it...
I don' t want a network player...
Pioneer N-50 (Network Player with 192KHz USB DAC. path-thru is valid from Coax and optical, except feed from USB, no HPA)
Maranz NA-7004 (Network Player with 96KHz USB DAC. fully path-thru, with HPA)
Maranz NA-11S1 (Network Player with 192KHz/DSD USB DAC. fully path-thru, high end, very expensive, with HPA)