Upgrade PS Audio DSD Mk1 to?


I've got a bit of upgradeitis.  My current DAC is a PS Audio DSD Mk1 that has had the xfrmrs upgraded and Vcom mod done.  I like it and the music it makes but I've got an itch to upgrade.  My first, and obvious, thought was a DSD Mk2.  I've also been thinking of the LTA Aero and Lampizator Baltic.

What am I looking to improve?  I find the Mk1 a bit noisy and rather long in the tooth.  What do I like about it?  It doesn't sound "digital" and i find that it's pretty even over the frequency range and the.musoc has good flow.  I don't like hyper analytical, dry music that can cause listener fatigue.

Budget is $5k or under and I dont mind buying used.  My main concern is that the dacs listed above will be a slight lateral move and not a real upgrade.

I think my virtual system is up for reference.  If you can't find it please let me know so I can fix that.

Has anyone compared the DACs I'm interested in or have first hand experience with them?

Thanks in advance

 

tko956

I owned the Mk 1 as well. It didn't suck. But left me "meh."

I do prefer R2R. I really liked the Harmony Laiv before I made the jump to MSB. 

The DSD mk2 is a significant improvement (I had the mk1 and now the mk2), and since it was recently discontinued they are available at very attractive used prices...often $3500 or less...

Well, I just ordered a new LampizatOr Baltic 5.  Should be here in a few weeks.

Thanks to all that contributed and gave feedback.

HoloAudio May KTE and Ideon EOS are what I had before the full stack I have now.