Next step? Amp or Streamer or…

@burtlake 

Nice system!  Depending on your budget, I would look for Innuos Pulse or Aurender N150 or N200. Audition them with a return policy and see if you are able to hear substantial improvement with your Pontus II DAC. A good quality USB Cable + PC is just as important in this equation. 

As far i2S, hand shake between two components can be challenging. HoloAudio Red Streamer / DDC comes to mind. I wouldn’t get too hung up on i2S…USB connection with a good cable is just as good with aforementioned streamers. 

Good luck! 

+1 for Aurender.

I would not worry about the connection type… especially a new and relatively unusual one. The difference in sound you will get by carefully choosing a great component will vastly outshadow a special connection type. Also, well established ones will have lots of choices of excellent interconnects. 

Dean,

I'd ask what you are dissatisfied with.  Bass, output level, transparency?  What have you heard you liked that's better.

You may also be feeling an itch to change for the sake of changing.  Maybe it's time to seek out a new integrated instead and keep the Eastern Electric in rotation?

Thanks all for the thoughtful responses -  lots to think about.  Will post specific feedback shortly

@lalitk @ghdprentice Appreciate the specific and helpful streamer recommendations and thoughts on I2s. I will look to arrange in-home demos and report findings over the next few months 

@erik_squires Good question! I haven’t heard a lot of other systems recently given the Pandemic and really just getting back into two channel during that time after many years of only my modest home theater system and not having much time for dedicated music listening (I’m retired now however)

Back in the day some of the things that impressed me were Audio Research with Magenpans, a set of Quad electrostatics a friend had, and my LS3/5a’s with an old Dynaco ST70 (a system I regret selling…)

I’d have to say I value transparency, tone, and dimensionality/space. I have thought of bringing in another amp as suggested. The EE does a lot of things right, especially with some vintage tubes.  Maybe a SET? Will keep an eye on the used market and report any developments. 

OP:

I saw an anime which featured a Jazz cafe.  In it there were multiple tube amps on shelves being used in rotation and I thought to myself how wonderful it would be not to have to rate gear, but just rotate it in and out for fun and different experiences.

Of course, easier to do with modest powered tube gear than 60 lb. behemoths.

E

Funny! Well I guess you wouldn’t want the same flavor ice cream all the time either… I definitely understand the folks that rotate speakers as well. At 68 though I’m trying to simplify and downsize a bit.