Seeking Advice on NOS DAC

@lowrider57 AN dacs of that vintage don’t have USB inputs, mine doesn’t I use coax. You could of course get a usb/spdif converter. As far as questions I wouldn’t stress too much about caps my DAC is Circa 1995 and still going strong. It’s a pretty low stress environment in terms of the output stage. perhaps ask for some interior pics? I don’t think there’s much to worry about AN has fantastic interior build quality.

Stretch your budget just a little for a used Pavane. You can later upgrade if you feel the need.  The base model is much better than the Hex and their Level 3 (run through a very good preamp) beat their highly rated Adagio head-to-head, for my tastes, in my system - although the Adagio was very good and other listeners may have called it differently.

I bought a Dodson D 217 mk. II d with 218 software upgrade and used it happily for over a decade. However, one of my system goals has always been to achieve ultimate transparency without crossing over the line into harshness. So when the Hex came out I decide to give NOS a shot and pulled the trigger and I do have to admit, the filterless approach does come off as a bit more organic and the micro shadings/information are more cleanly and decipherably presented. Then the Pavane reared its ugly head and after much deliberation and gnashing of teeth, I decided to take the plunge. It is MARGINALLY better but the sweet spot for the money is most certainly the Hex in my book. And I paid $3800 for my Hex brand new so at $1500, I'd be all over the one you're currently eyeing up.

I listen to redbook CD 100%.

Best of luck to you, whatever your decision.

Many thanks to @mitch2 and @acresverde . The Pavane will probably be out of reach (even used).
In addition to multiple positive reviews, Darko really liked the Hex. And there are two currently for sale; I may stretch my budget to $1650 for the right DAC.

Thanks, @jond . I messaged the dealer with some questions. I asked if any service was performed and if the original electronics were intact (very high-quality components are used).
I'm wondering why this unit is so reasonably priced, so I asked for pics.

Can anybody recommend a USB/spdif converter? And wouldn't this signal need to be reclocked and the 5V power be isolated?

FWIW, when I sent my Pavane over to the Netherlands for the upgrade, I purchased an Ayre Acoustics QB-9 DSD because I wanted music and because I always wanted to try one.  It was a nice sounding DAC but IMO and based on my recollection, I would have taken the Hex if I were offered the choice of either.  With respect to full disclosure, I have never warmed up to Ayre's house sound and of the several Ayre pieces I have owned, all have been well-built and very clean and quiet sounding, but I ultimately replaced all of them with pieces I found to be more tonally dense and organic sounding. And the other side of that coin, I have owned 3 Metrum DACs.
Back to the Hex, with the highest respect to Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor and Arnold Ziffel, I find the difference between Hex and Pavane to be much greater than reported by acresverde, but that is my opinion of what I hear in my system.  The upgrade to Level 3 brings another level of clarity and spatial believability.
And finally, if I were in your shoes, I would be looking hard at the Onyx or, if I wanted to ditch my preamp and simplify my system, then the Jade.  Both use the new designed in-house Metrum Transient converter chips that are used in the upgraded Pavane and in the Adagio.
Good luck.