New DAC or New Speakers?

@jacupmakeup if you choose the new DAC, I will be very interested to hear what you choose and how happy you are with it over the Aero.  

I got an Aero a few months ago and I thought, even with the stock tubes, it sounded amazing with my Aurender n200, JRDG 625 S2 & Corus feeding DALI Epicon 6s.  I swapped in some TungSol NOS tubes (not the crazy expensive oval plates, just nice regular black plates) and the sound got even better, a touch more detailed and more musical, but really only a little I think. (I like it so much, I just ordered another one for a 2d system where it will go with a CODA CSiB V2, a Innuos PulseMini (for now) and a pair of Revel 226Bes, and i liked LTA so much i order one of their LPS+s for the PulseMini.)

As to your question, FWIW, I am of the old school that thinks speaker improvements are always the place to start if the rest of your gear is already at a pretty high level, as it seems yours is.

(I am assuming you’ve done some tube rolling on the Aero already with yours? If not, that’s a relatively modest cost option to help you see if you still want a different DAC.)

@kirkwallace Yeah, you're probably right about going with a speaker upgrade.

The Aero is amazing, especially for the price. I had the chance to AB it against the Aqua La Scala MKII (not the latest), which used to be the hottest DAC in the land and costs double the Aero. I put some of the best possible tubes in the La Scala and it did not compete with the Aero. It is awesome. And yeah, I have way too many tubes for it. Hit me up if you want some, lol. 

@jacupmakeup , LOLz

i had heard others say the same thing about the Aero vs the Aqua la scala.  Good to hear it again! 
 

and if you do in fact get rid of the aero and want to de-accession some tubes, do please dm me.  I am sure we can come to some sort of mutually satisfactory arrangement….

Speakers are the most subject/personal choice in any system. You should be set on these first and feel they are your long term end game....plus logistically they are bulky & difficult to move. A night and day difference in configuration: horn - line array - 3 way - 4 way - tweeters...a very personal choice what sounds best to you....and even more so on how you listen....analog, digital, stream, HDMI/TV. It takes a lot of time, listening sessions (travel) to hear, and effort to lock in on a speaker choice. You have really good speakers....if you are not set or feel the need to add a Sub…time to upgrade.
DACs more of a narrow niche...at your price point you can get a exceptional DAC and likely a good clock to match. My last & final component I chose to put into my system was the Berkley Audio Alpha 3 DAC. I would also offer that new & better DACs coming out every year. 
Buy your end game speakers...& get a decent quality (used) DAC now...down the road, if you feel the need = upgrade the DAC in 5 years. 
 

Maybe first treat your room if not treated. Even a little goes a long way. Speakers are  most important.