The Lite 7 is a very solid DAC and is probably the best sound to value ratio in our line up, if you can do without options. I have one system in my house using a Golden Gate and another using the Lite 7. Is the Golden Gate better? Yes, its an unbelievable unit, but the Lite 7 is awesome in its own right and under $6k brand new. You truly get the lions share of DHT goodness as well as our DSD module which is unlike any other. Best still, its fully up gradable to a B7 in the future.