Another vote for the API2500, it just works on so many levels, it's versatile & always sounds great. I'm looking to the TC Phoenix to compliment the API2500 & Weiss DS-1 I already own.
As for converters I'll give you some opinions on the Lynx Aurora 16 soon as I have one in on demo to hook up to my Pro Tools HD rig. Just waiting on the correct db25 connectors as they don't match the Digidesign pin out so I've hit a brick wall for now. I'll be able to compare these to my HEDD, a Benchmark DAC-1 & the Dangerous Monitor DAC (newer CM designed D/A not the Troisi DAC).
More later...
Matt