I can't see myself spending 4 digits on a TDA1543 based NOS solution, sorry.
Sure.
It's nice to have units you can rotate.
I have a audio buddy that has 2 Metrum Octaves we are working a trade on. He has one of my FL's, and interested in another small piece of gear. As he mentioned, the Octave is very transparent, but lacks the analog/tube sound the FL has.
We both have modded ESS AMT3's as well
I agree with him, the remastered Beatles Rubber Soul has never sounded better then it does on the FL...
That's one cool advantage, we have similar systems, but different ears!!
I enjoy having a number of different dac's.
If you have the money to spend, who really cares?
I budget a certain amount each year, just like guys do for any other hobbies, snow mobiles, four wheelers, cars, boats, fishing, hunting, the list goes on. It's a expense, not a investment. Well, hopefully in good sound!! But it's also learning experience.
I agree, in part with a earlier post, the Schiit's house MB sound, well not to my liking...
The bottom line is how it sounds to you, and your system.
Just because a DAC has a opamp, even a good one, is a negative, for example makes little sense.
A lot of audio speak, comes directly from marketing people,...it's pretty easy to see...
Too bad, because a lot of good sounding products are by passed, for simple, reasons such as op amps, or what ever.
The same type of reasoning, and marketing, why vintage 70, then 80's then 90's gear was found unacceptable....
The good news is, if you find these sleepers, they are bargains.
For me a case in point is H/K late 80's/90's amplifiers and preamps...
Whatever, but sticking to the sound is the important part, because it makes it easier for others to see if such a component is a good fit or not in their own system.