Yeah, being resistant to ”tweaking” is a really good sign of solid engineering.Interesting - I haven't auditioned either your #1 or #3 dacs (and, having just checked their prices, I know why!). The MMT does appear to hold up well against ANY competition, which is good to see. My own rating (against not inexpensive, but more peer-priced and lower) currently goes something like:
1. Mola Mola Tambaqui
2. DcS Bartok (when coupled with a decent streamer such as the Auralic Aries)
3. Chord DAVE (streamer as above)
4. Teac UD701N (cheaper but a remarkably good DAC - I auditioned this and the Gustard A26 to see how spendy I needed to get to meet my perceptions)
One thing I've noticed is just how resistant the MMT is to being 'improved' with external streamers, resamplers etc. That to me is the mark of good engineering.
I’ve auditioned, owned and used too many DAC’s. After a while there is a sense of many DAC’s being slightly different rather than better or worse. Also reviewers, having to make a living, focus on minor differences rather than obvious similarities (IMHO).
To me the MMT is a better DAC. It just has qualities that lesser DAC’s don’t have. (Just to clear, lesser DAC’s isn’t about being more or less expensive.)