Esoteric D-07XPrice: $5000

Website: www.esoteric.teac.com

Uday said: It is fully competitive with other well-regarded DACs costing less than $10,000, including my reference Meitner MA-1 ($7000). I feel you can’t go wrong with the D-07X -- it should be on anyone’s list for consideration.

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Right up there with the top units in its price range.