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Advice please for upgrade.

I asked for opinions almost a year ago on a good $2k upgrade for my system and was rewarded with great advice from all of you. It worked out so well, in fact, that I'm hoping for some more advice. I'm currently searching for another upgrade for about $2k that would make the most difference. The advice you guys gave last time was to concentrate on 3 areas:
1. Source
2. Room Acoustics
3. Preamp
I took advice #2 and #3 and am glad I did. I added a tubed preamp and my room was also somewhat tuned through acoustic absorption and diffusion panels. My question is: where should I go next for the most cost effective upgrade. My thoughts are:

1. Source- either a dac to use in conjunction with my current digital source, a Sony DVP-7700, which I've read works well as a transport, or a stand alone unit for CD playback only (I'd continue to use my current unit for DVD playback). I have no idea which dac to use but, through reading forums here, I'm thinking a Bel Canto, Audio Note or MF and possibly an Audio Aero, Shanling, Jolida or Sony DC-1 for a single unit.
2. Upgrade my speakers from Magnepan 2.7s to 3.6s.
3. Upgrade my SS amp.

My current system is a VTL 2.5 tubed preamp, Aragon 4004 MKII ss amp, Magnepan 2.7 speakers with a Kinergistics subwoofer and a Sony DVP-7700 source. I'm open to any other suggestions as well. Thanks
128x128noble100

Showing 1 response by listener57

listener57
730 posts
 
When you go the transport to DAC separates route, strongly recommend you audition the Auricle Audio Encore Signature Digital IC for a superior low jitter/highly musical connection.
The revelation of performance inherent in my no longer manufactured EVS Millennium II DAC quite astonishing. Discovered that many CD's previously thought to be mediocre now sound beautiful when the digital IC changed for the tenth (? and, final) time. Same sense of discovery when connecting to my antique Scott Nixon Anodyne tube DAC so I think not just a "lucky" synergy with one DAC design.
I never realized how crucial to system optimization is this single wire between transport and DAC.
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