Recent advances in DAC technology blur the lines between well-designed products in the $3000 to $5000 range; and low five-figure kit circa 2010 as well as some of todays five-figured fare. Its like comparing the razor-thin garlic slices Paulie lovingly coaxes from the bud at the end of the film Goodfellas. Without a microscope, how can one tell the difference? With a few exceptions, I find it very difficult to consider one DAC in this price range demonstrably superior to another when overall quality is so high. Many of us have heard wonderful DACs. They all pass the Hippocratic test of doing no harm. Each one brings a finely tuned flavour to the feast. Which do you prefer? There may be ten or twenty world-class DACs in this price range that all possess the fundamental core of musicality, with minor differences at the margins. The $3299 North Star Design EXCELSIO 384-32 DSD D/A converter certainly belongs with these top-shelf DACs and is among the least expensive of the lot. EXCELLENT SHAPE,PURCHASED FROM THE MUSIC ROOM LAST YEAR AS CERTIFIED.RECEIPT INCLUDEDSPECIALTY PACKED BY THE MUSIC ROOM WITH MOLDED FOAM AROUND ENTIRE UNIT.

Recent advances in DAC technology blur the lines between well-designed products in the $3000 to $5000 range; and low five-figure kit circa 2010 as well as some of todays five-figured fare. Its like comparing the razor-thin garlic slices Paulie lovingly coaxes from the bud at the end of the film Goodfellas. Without a microscope, how can one tell the difference? With a few exceptions, I find it very difficult to consider one DAC in this price range demonstrably superior to another when overall quality is so high. Many of us have heard wonderful DACs. They all pass the Hippocratic test of doing no harm. Each one brings a finely tuned flavour to the feast. Which do you prefer? There may be ten or twenty world-class DACs in this price range that all possess the fundamental core of musicality, with minor differences at the margins. The $3299 North Star Design EXCELSIO 384-32 DSD D/A converter certainly belongs with these top-shelf DACs and is among the least expensive of the lot. EXCELLENT SHAPE,PURCHASED FROM THE MUSIC ROOM LAST YEAR AS CERTIFIED.RECEIPT INCLUDEDSPECIALTY PACKED BY THE MUSIC ROOM WITH MOLDED FOAM AROUND ENTIRE UNIT.