Hello,
I have an EXTENSIVELY & HIGHLY modified AN kit DAC - it started life as a 3.1 equivalent - you'll have to check out my system page. It blows away every other digital source I have personally heard without doubt and was my end-point, crowning achievement for my digital front end. If you enjoy the analogue sound rather than the analytical sound of CD's than you will be VERY happy and the kit offers the added ability to "pay as you go" upgrade, with the sky as the limit... caps, resistors, and transformers offer real improvements as you go up the ladder. I would highly recommend the TRANS-497 I/V transformer upgrade as pretty high on your list, they will add significant cost ($3,000 aprox for the pair) yet you will get significant improvement in micro and macro resolution - amazingly natural and acoustic. As far as caps go - you can go up the AN line to stick with the AN sound or you can go to V-Caps. I have V-Caps in mine but some folks feel its sacrilegious lol.
Cannot wait till I can eventually finish mine with the Super Perma nickel core double silver wound output transformers at a staggering $11,000 aprox for the pair they will double my investment by themselves.
