Great responses.
@coachpoconnor , the Pass XA25 needs to be in the system at some point. I have a black Blusound Node 2i that I only used for about 6 months before I built a Roon NUC Rock endpoint. I don't have the box. PM me if you want to buy it. It's just sitting here. PS I have Blusound devices throughout the house--just not in my music room anymore.
@ozzy62 , I remember you had a Don Sachs. That Allnic is beautiful. Do you feel you're off the upgrade carousel? I would think it will be difficult for you to do much better.
@mijostyn , your built in is super impressive. I am envious Sir! You should be very proud.
@tweak, I would try that GaN amp. I may sell some stuff to finance trying one.
@bjesien , I really respect what they aim to do on ASR. I tried a couple of their top rated DACs (I think one was Topping and the other I know was SML or something). Both sounded crystal clear and super for the money. But, neither sounds as good as my Doge Tube DAC or Marantz Ruby SACD/DAC when streaming. The sound was not 3D, the soundstage was like a letter box. Everything sounded clean and clear but it was jammed in to a letterbox size soundstage. 20 years ago those DACs would be amazing. Today, I think they are B+/A-, which is awesome for the money. But they are evangelistic in their commitment to them on ASR. To each, his/her own.