NuForce DAC-9Price: $1695

Website: www.nuforce.com

Graham said: The NuForce DAC-9 is one of those all-too-infrequent products that is a true giant-killer, and whose performance must have put a collective smile on the faces of those who designed and built it. At its full retail price of $1695, I think NuForce offers consumers a stonking good deal.

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Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: A great DAC need not cost five grand.