Well, the update is that I've tried five DACs to date; a very cheap $30 generic that melted the wall wart, a Focusrite, the Peachtree and Pepe's Jolida. The Jolida was nice and much better than the Peachtree, which had a huge bump in the mid range that I hated., and the Focusrite was lifeless.... today I received the Schiit Biofrost Uber USB... a huge step up from everything todate.... images remarkably well, nice musical presentation and great detail in the highs without being in the least bit shrill.... I think I have a keeper!