My current rig includes:
Music Hall Maverick SACD
Darkvoice 337
Beyer T1
I would like to improve my source and the more research I do the more confused I am becoming. The problem with my current setup is a certain amount of hardness/glare in the upper mids / lower trebles. I am extremely sensitive to this frequency range. In addition, I am hearing some grain and congestion in loud passages. The Maverick is a warm CDP that does many things right but I suspect it is the source of the grain and glare I am hearing.
First and foremost, I would like to find a source with absolutely no glare, grain or hardness. I would also like a source that is full, organic, musical, detailed and with good bass. I want to avoid anything bright or thin. While I really like detail, I don't want a source that will make my marginal cd's unplayable. I want to enjoy the music without fatigue.
I am thinking of using my Maverick as a transport (at least temporarily) and adding a DAC to setup. I would consider a CDP if that made more sense. My budget is between $1k and $2k and I would buy used without hesitation.
I am considering:
Monarchy M24
Audio GD Ref9
Electro ECD-1
Northstar M192
Eastern Electric Sabre Dac
Levinson 39 CDP or 360 dac
I would appreciate any thoughts on these or other choices given my concerns with no glare/grain/harshness with decent bass weight and forgiving enough to play most if not all of my redbook cd's without pain. I may be preternaturally sensitive to upper mid/ lower high glare so I don't mind these frequencies somewhat recessed.
Thanks.
