WC,
Although I agree that the Neo deserves the best, I believe that the Dag 400 is a backward move. It might be better than the power amp section of the Dag integrated, but not to the extent that the Plinius is. The Dag 400 will have more power obviously, but it will probably have similar house sound as the integrated, whereas the Plinius really impressed you with its sparkle and clarity. I doubt that the Dag 400 will have that sparkle. I understand your desire for more power, so I recommend the newest Emotiva DR reference at 550W into 8, 800 into 4. It doesn't double into half the load the way Dag does, but it will have more power than the Plinius. I heard the XPA 2 gen 3 for a 30 day trial, and it was powerful, accurate and even a little sweet. It rates 300W into 8, 550 into 4, 800 into 2 (although recently they have not revealed the 2 ohm figures). My guess is that either Emotiva would be even more sparkly than the Plinius, as many listeners have still described the Plinius as warm. Grey9hound described Emotiva XPA gen 2 as bright when pushed, although thezaks said that the gen 3 is different from the gen 2. But since your Neo is somewhat rolled off in HF compared to the 15A and certainly compared to your Magico, I believe you will really like the Neo/Emotiva, and still find the Neo/Dag 400 somewhat rolled off. Emotiva DR retails for $1600, XPA 2 gen 3 for $1000 with that no-risk 30 day trial from the company. After you buy and sell the Dag 400 you will take a loss greater than that. Since your money is limited, I can see you selling the Dag integrated to get the 400. But then you would be losing the valuable tone control of the integrated. I can see the Dag integrated with the +4 treble boost being more sparkly than the ARC Ref 10 with the Dag 400, and the Ref 10 plus Plinius beats even the Dag integrated. I can see the Ref 10 plus either Emotiva beating anything you will try, for sparkle and most other qualities. Why don't you at least hold off on the Dag 400 until you try the Block which is coming very soon. I will hold back my comments on the Block until you listen to it.
RIAA, I agree that the Mac preamp is probably the weak link for techno_dude, although the Lux preamp with its tone controls coupled to the M900u is likely dynamite in most ways. If techno's finances are tight, then I would get the Rane EQ to plug into the Lux M900u. There will be 6 dB gain in the balanced outputs of the Rane, probably enough gain as strictly a line stage, and a much more flexible EQ than the Lux preamp tone controls. If EQ is not used, then the Luminous passive preamp is the way to go for highest transparency, but there is no gain with the Luminous and techno appreciates the benefit of EQ, so I think the Rane ME 60 is the best option for him.
Although I agree that the Neo deserves the best, I believe that the Dag 400 is a backward move. It might be better than the power amp section of the Dag integrated, but not to the extent that the Plinius is. The Dag 400 will have more power obviously, but it will probably have similar house sound as the integrated, whereas the Plinius really impressed you with its sparkle and clarity. I doubt that the Dag 400 will have that sparkle. I understand your desire for more power, so I recommend the newest Emotiva DR reference at 550W into 8, 800 into 4. It doesn't double into half the load the way Dag does, but it will have more power than the Plinius. I heard the XPA 2 gen 3 for a 30 day trial, and it was powerful, accurate and even a little sweet. It rates 300W into 8, 550 into 4, 800 into 2 (although recently they have not revealed the 2 ohm figures). My guess is that either Emotiva would be even more sparkly than the Plinius, as many listeners have still described the Plinius as warm. Grey9hound described Emotiva XPA gen 2 as bright when pushed, although thezaks said that the gen 3 is different from the gen 2. But since your Neo is somewhat rolled off in HF compared to the 15A and certainly compared to your Magico, I believe you will really like the Neo/Emotiva, and still find the Neo/Dag 400 somewhat rolled off. Emotiva DR retails for $1600, XPA 2 gen 3 for $1000 with that no-risk 30 day trial from the company. After you buy and sell the Dag 400 you will take a loss greater than that. Since your money is limited, I can see you selling the Dag integrated to get the 400. But then you would be losing the valuable tone control of the integrated. I can see the Dag integrated with the +4 treble boost being more sparkly than the ARC Ref 10 with the Dag 400, and the Ref 10 plus Plinius beats even the Dag integrated. I can see the Ref 10 plus either Emotiva beating anything you will try, for sparkle and most other qualities. Why don't you at least hold off on the Dag 400 until you try the Block which is coming very soon. I will hold back my comments on the Block until you listen to it.
RIAA, I agree that the Mac preamp is probably the weak link for techno_dude, although the Lux preamp with its tone controls coupled to the M900u is likely dynamite in most ways. If techno's finances are tight, then I would get the Rane EQ to plug into the Lux M900u. There will be 6 dB gain in the balanced outputs of the Rane, probably enough gain as strictly a line stage, and a much more flexible EQ than the Lux preamp tone controls. If EQ is not used, then the Luminous passive preamp is the way to go for highest transparency, but there is no gain with the Luminous and techno appreciates the benefit of EQ, so I think the Rane ME 60 is the best option for him.