Parsound ZDAC kind of blowing my mind...

No balanced outs on the M1clic? Odd Parasound has balanced outputs.

For my last response to this post, check out the Winter 2014 Audio Advisor Clearance mailer. It proudly advertises the M1 CLiC and M1 PWR for a package price of $998. It says the regular price of the M1 PWR is $1,299, and the regular price of the M1 CLiC $1,099 for a total "regular price of $3,298." No, that adds up to $2,398. It says "Save $2,300." If that were true the pair would cost only $98. It should say "Save $1,400". Please, someone bring this to their attention! It's only a typo, but its misleading. Just be cautious of any manufacturer that offers so many products at diverse price points. It's hard to tell if you're getting a good deal or not.

No balanced outs on the M1clic? Odd Parasound has balanced outputs.

No balanced outputs, but do you really need them . they won't truly be balanced unless the unit is balanced internally. I would be willing to bet that the Z-dac is not internally balanced . If it is not then there is no real benefit.
I am returning my M1 clic and getting a NAD M-51. The M1 has a lot of features that i really will never use , like the usb thumb drive (front), the internet radio , and the network steaming capability.
I do not like scrolling through folders to play music, and the internet radio feature is nice , but most stations are mp3(not great quality). It is the same with playing over the network. You are limited to lower bit rates and ,once again folders .
I really want a just DAC . I thought i would give the M1 a try anyway . It is pretty good as a DAC, but not Great. The Bass is weak , but otherwise it has a very balanced sound .
My primary goal is to use a Pc as a Music Server (JRiver Media), because i have about 800 cds to rip . I will rip in .wav format. i COULD Definately hear a difference in the Music Ripped in the lower res formats, such as .ape , which i what JRiver defaults to for rips .
I think the Nad M 51 will be good , at least according to all the reviews .We will see

"no balanced outputs, but do you really need them?" People don't have them that why they don't need them. the choice is your.
Audio Output Level on the spec. manual:
Unbalanced: 2.1 V rms
Balanced: 4.2 V rms

The Parasound Zdac replaced my beloved Benchmark DAC1 USB in my office system and that's no easy task considering the price difference between the two. The Zdac has tight, powerful bass with a beautiful midrange and the treble is detailed yet sweet...a good bit smoother in the treble than my DAC1.

This is a great time to be a music lover/audiophile as there is a lot of great sounding gear out there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The headphone amp in the Zdac sounds pretty good, but the slight thump I get whenever I plug in headphones or IEM's annoys me so I use either the Schiit Audio Lyr or Asgard 2 for driving my headphones.