DAC recomendations $1500-$3000

The only "DACs" that handle SACD input are either using a proprietary protocol (Meridian, EMM Labs and others), or they are Surround Sound Processors with HDMI interface.

There is no other way to get SACD (either native DSD or converted to high rez PCM) from a transport into a DAC, due to licensing restictions.

PS audio is releasing an upgrade to the perfectwave DAC for $1000 this month. If it is as good as suggested, this may well turn the PWD into a giant killer. Worth waiting a few more weeks and hear initial reports. You could score a used PWD for less than 2K and do the upgrade and stay within budget. It will also have asynchronous USB if you want to do computer audio but don;t want to mess with their networked architecture.

They are grey market - you will have no warrenty on this, although they say they will take care of you if you have a problem. I actually ordered a cheap P10 PS audio conditioner from them, which they then could not deliver (fortunately - I ended up buying 2x P5 instead through a dealer).

MSS HiFi also have cheap grey market Bel Canto stuff. No warranty on any of this. I have bought grey market before (usually about 30% below MSRP) without any problems, but there is always some risk involved. Not sure if the PS audio warrenty is transferable, but you may be better off buying used and having a warranty.

Alternatively, you can shop around in the dealer network - you should be able to get at least 15% off on new PS audio gear. They also still have the $1000 trade-in deal on the PWD I believe.

I did not want to create bad vibes and though it might have been an isolated incident, but in dealing with my (cancelled) PS Audio P10 order my MSS HiFi contact (I believe it was the owner) appeared to be a total jerk. Seems like I dodged a bullet!

Irrespective of the sonic merits of the North Star, having been an avid buyer and seller of used audio gear for 10+ years, I have learned to stay away from the esoteric pieces. Very hard to resell. Even if you got what you thought was a killer deal, you end up taking a big hit on resale. If you shop around for a used Perfectwave and get it at the right price, you'll never lose more than shipping and transaction and $100 tops.