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  3. 1095647055

Upgrade from ART DIO?

Hi guys,

I'm currently running a Bolder Cables smART mensa modded DIO fed by a Denon DVD-3800. While I'm actually quite pleased with the sound that I have, I'm wondering what would be a good upgrade in either a new DAC, or perhaps a one box player. I'm looking for maybe a little more smoothness and warmth, but I don't want a "syrupy" sound. I want solid imaging, speed, and PRAT.

I'm willing to buy new or used, and probably don't want to spend more than $3K. The rest of my system includes:

Innersound Preamp
McCormack DNA-125
Dynaudio Special 25's
Various MIT, Monster and Stereovox cabling.

Any suggestions would be great.
tim916
myraj
351 posts
 
Tim,
Either a Sony 9000es or 999es modified by ModWright.
Get a Used player then have all mods done for around $2200+/-
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
After seeing your equipment listing I would suggest the following.

Get yourself a decent turntable, cartridge and phono preamp with that $3000. No matter how you improve on your digital it will still fall short of what you can get from vinyl.

BTW - I also have a modded DI/O and a McCormack amp (DNA .5 modded to near Rev A).

Enjoy,
Bob
tim916 OP
52 posts
 
Bob,

I agree with that I should get a turntable, and I am hoping to add one within the next year or so. However, I have a lot of cd's and I am looking to squeeze the most performance I can out of them so I still want to upgrade my digital.
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