I would most definitely borrow one first, as you’re suggesting. Definitely more curious about NOS now, based on posts here. Maybe even a diy if I can afford the time and equipment to practice (thank you for those cool suggestions
@sajunky!). It would be nice (eventually) to have a different dac as a flavor compliment - not a replacement - for this really excellent dac. Startling to really get that the output stage and supported circuit design is as (if not more) important than the chip/processor design choice. What I do know is that the D70s sounds even better every time I sit in front of my system…and with everything I listen to. It even provides such good listening via usb/streaming that the differences between that and stored tracks are minute enough for me to almost forget which source I’m running. And yes, it shares qualities with r2r ("flows" much better than my Airist r2r), very natural and non-fatiguing. Add to this the updated flexibility of connections? For such a comparatively low price? A wonderful choice through and through.