[geowak]

The October issue of Stereophile is out with it's 500+ recommended components. It is always interesting to me, how they rate various brands and models. Here is a short version of some popular DAC's and how they rated. Compelling FWIW.

A+ Ayer QA-9 and QB-9 ($3950 and $3250), Bricasti M1 ($8595), dCS Debussy ($11,499), Grace M903 ($1995), MSB Diamond DAC Plus ($27,995), NAD M51 ($1999), Weiss DAC202 ($6966)
 
A Abbington Music Research DP-777 ($4995), Antelope Zodiac Gold ($3595), Arcam FMJ D33 ($3199), Bel Canto e.One DAC 3.5 MKII ($3495), Benchmark DAC1, DAC1 USB, DAC HDR ($995, $1195, $1595), Bryston BDA-1 ($1995), CEtrance DACmini CZ ($799), Halide Design DAC HD, USB-S/PDIF ($495, $395), M2Tech Young ($1499), Musical Fidelity M6DAC ($2999), Mytek Stereo192 ($1595)

B Alpha Design Labs GT-40 ($499), AudioQuest DragonFly ($249), CEtrance DACport, DACport LX ($299, $249), Musical Fidelity M1SDAC, M1DAC ($1499, $799), Rega DAC ($999), Schiit Bifrost ($349)

C HRT Music Streamer II+, II ($349.95, $179.95), Sonos Connect ($349)

D Apple AirPort Express ($99)

This is NOT a complete list, just listed some that seemed popular now.

[mcgsxr]

I have not seen the issue, did the Micromega Mydac make the list?  I have heard good things, and the pricing is attractive.

I also have a real soft spot for Micromega, after falling in love with their CD players and DAC's back in the 90's.

[geowak]

I have not seen the issue, did the Micromega Mydac make the list?  I have heard good things, and the pricing is attractive.

I also have a real soft spot for Micromega, after falling in love with their CD players and DAC's back in the 90's.

I did not see the Micromega, but it might just mean that the magazine did not review it...

[Hank]

Coincidentally ( ) high prices in the A+ list.  At least there are a couple of affordable ones in the A list.  How could they have spent enough hours thoroughly testing and A/B comparing all those DAC's + the ones not listed 

[asliarun]

I've always found the Halide DAC very intriguing, but never got the opportunity to hear it myself. Has anyone heard it or used it? Thoughts/impressions? The older model is priced even nicer at $300, even if it is restricted to CD quality which isn't bad.

[charmerci]

  How could they have spent enough hours thoroughly testing and A/B comparing all those DAC's + the ones not listed 

They don't.

If a writer listens to a component, they'll usually compare it to their reference and give it an A/B/C/D, then it goes on the list.

[JEaton]

FWIW.

Not much.