I actually love this "tension" and grainy effect. Kind like of how I would cringe before the drummer would hit the percussion hard.

Yes! Very much, this! But it's sort of a permanent semi-cringe.

As far as the treble issues, there is a minor bump with both HE-500 and my speakers (coincidental) around 11kHz whereas the HD800 is rather sedate in this area (its between the 6k 14k ridges on the CSD) and. I wonder if there's some interaction between the X-Sabre and this region.

Interesting!

Quick question guys, while you still have the X-Sabre have you tried any DSD/DXD?

If you don't have any, go here: http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html in the second section and try a few. Interested to hear your thoughts. The master files are DXD and converted to each format listed on the page.

If you ask them, they'll tell you our feedback isn't usually positive...

LOL. That's putting it mildly. But to clear a few things up:

1. The Gungnir that Purrin has, unless I'm mistaken, is my own Gungnir, taken from the first production run. No mods or other tweaks have been applied, though we've made a couple of tiny changes in the current (3rd and 4th) runs.

2. If it's my unit, it will have a very low serial number (under 300). If it's above that, it's from the current run and this comment is moot.

3. If it's mine, I'll get you a loaner from the current production run if you'd like, though I really don't think there will be much difference in sound. Well, the new USB board we've been shipping with 24/176 capability does sound better... (yeah, I know, objectivists plug your ears! Heresy!).

4. We value Purrin and Analixus' comments, as well as other comments through a small network of pre-listeners. None of them get any free stuff from us, they're just interested and trying to help. We take all of their comments into account, listen to some of them, and (yeah) throw out some of them.

5. All of our reviewers also return their equipment, unless they purchase it after the review. We don't engage in reviews where the equipment is left as a token of appreciation.

6. Unlike most manufacturers, we ship review products AFTER all orders from the first run have been cleared. Sometimes this means reviews are in the second run. Or the third. Our customers have skin in the game, and we want to serve them first. It is very common, as with Purrin's case, for us to say, "Sorry, we can't get you a review sample right now."

All the best,
Jason

Hi,

If someone has experience with any of the following, how do they stack up to the tested dac's?

-Rega DAC
-PS Audio Nuwave
-Concero
-Metrum Octave

There are so many dac's in the price category I'm searching in... I'm lost 

And a great review with warts and all. Quite a difference from the other forum.

Having read reviews elsewhere, it seemed that the whatever component (DAC) was being reviewed, it is generally described as the best thing since sliced bread and so capable that it could probably give you a BJ.  Oh well, that is pushing a bit but more like that you would have an orgasm listening to it.  Same thing!