Also, I personally need to live for at least a week with a DAC to determine whether I really like it.
The first item, if you know anybody who has a Wadia 7/9 combination, that is the reference to judge all digital audio playback against. Most stuff put out since the year 2000 hasn't impressed me all that much.
The second item, do you start feeling like shutting it down after just half an hour to an hour? Do you have the urge to play vinyl or open reel?
I don't find quick A/B comparisons particularly useful for digital audio..... Analog audio, yes. But not digital audio.
That said, the only decent DAC readily available is the Schiit Bifrost.... Most people would have a hard time bettering that piece, for up to five times its price.
