there is a thread that is running now regarding the amr 777 dac. peerhaps that could be added to your list of candidates.
agian your criteria of sonic excellenece is the salient fcator when considering what is the best sounding dac.
there have been and will be threads which ask the question :
"what is the best ..... ?"
i think such a question is rhetorical and the questioner should consider it as a quest to listen to as many components in one's price range.
if one does not have access to products, then one is being exposed to the risk of disappointment.
well intentioned audiophiles who make "helpful" suggestions do not remove the probability that following one or more of them will lead to disappointment.
there are no guarantees in life.
my personal philosophy is to speak to manufacturers and inquire as to what they think their products sound like or what they intend them to sound like, and go from there.
there is a trade off between personal experience of owners and statements from designers. there are many variables here and no easy answers.
agian your criteria of sonic excellenece is the salient fcator when considering what is the best sounding dac.
there have been and will be threads which ask the question :
"what is the best ..... ?"
i think such a question is rhetorical and the questioner should consider it as a quest to listen to as many components in one's price range.
if one does not have access to products, then one is being exposed to the risk of disappointment.
well intentioned audiophiles who make "helpful" suggestions do not remove the probability that following one or more of them will lead to disappointment.
there are no guarantees in life.
my personal philosophy is to speak to manufacturers and inquire as to what they think their products sound like or what they intend them to sound like, and go from there.
there is a trade off between personal experience of owners and statements from designers. there are many variables here and no easy answers.