ive had this unit in the past, its like the TC Finalizer, its good when in the right hands, if abused, it creates monsterous catastrophies.

For the price, i would go with the L2 hardware unit, it has a very good sound.

I'm in the position to get the DBMax for a ridiculous price, hence the question.

Well, as a budget Mastering guy who more accurately has been doing audio sweetening for the last 6-years, I find the TC DBmax to be a great solid and powerfull tool. More powereful, more flexable and better sounding the TC Finalizer. Just beware that the DBmax is only 32K/44.1/48K capable. I use mine for many audio chores be it recording, tracking, mixing, mix bus, or mastering/sweetening.
Don't let the way TC markets it as a broadcast specific unit or the many broadcast factory presets sway you away from it.

i use one in broadcasting..pretty fine sounding, terrible user interface ....