@yage I won't be changing my speakers. I like the sound of the SL3's. They've been rebuilt and they agree favorably with my Pass amps.
@big_greg I looked hard at Jays transport before buying the Urd. I convinced myself I wouldn't like the top loader but I'm re-thinking that. Also thought about the Pro-ject CD Box Rs2T but I don't have the real estate to accommodate the lid.
@soix the LTA Aero is now on my radar.
@sls883 I tried the transport/dac with my primaluna before I got the Freya. it just can't drive the electrostatics very well. Just not enough horsepower to make those speakers work. My 105 into the primaluna driving L100's in my studio (near field) on the other hand, is very enjoyable.
@yyzsantabarbara If I crank the system pretty hard, say +90db, it sounds pretty darn good - doesn't seem to get louder just more open, more detail, and fuller. At wife-safe volumes it's rather meh. Interesting insight on the Mjolnir.
@fthompson251 I thought about picking up an Ares at one point just to see if this was the direction I wanted to go.
@oddiofyl I don't think the Freya is the weak link here. From all measures and reviews, in passive mode it really is only volume control and input selector.
I spent the afternoon reading @mitch2 excellent 6 dac test thread. I was already leaning toward Mojo Audio from my own research but a few other possibilities came out of that very thorough and insightful read. I think I listen for the same things as mitch2.
For reference, I run balanced interconnects, Signal cable silver resolution dac to pre to amps. I have some Cardas and Mogami on the way to try.