My current home rig consists of a Marantz 5003 CD player feeding a DacMagic, and then on into a Woo WA6SE. I listen with D7000s and HD800s, and also have a pair of LCD-2s on order.
My upgrade plans this coming year will be to add some type of music server to link with my iTunes library (all Apple lossless, on a MacBook), and possibly to upgrade my DAC. I listen to jazz, classic rock, contemporary vocal, and some classical piano; quite a wide range of stuff, really.
I'll want something that can handle the Marantz CD player, as well as either USB from the computer, or possibly an input from a Squeezebox, or similar wireless device if I decide to go that route. I may even purchase a dedicated iMac or Mac Mini, and re-rip my library to AIFF files, and connect that machine directly to whatever DAC I end up with.
My question is, what DACs, and at what price point, will be a noticeable step up from the DAC Magic? I'm happy with the DAC Magic now, and feel that it is totally transparent, but I'm wondering if audible improvements would be possible with a higher end unit.
I've looked at the Bryston BDA-1, the newer Bel Canto 2.5, the Benchmark, the PS Audio DLIII, etc. I'm hoping to be in the $1500 price range, but would go higher if there are significant improvements to be had with my other existing gear.
Any suggestions on DAC upgrades, or would I be better off spending in another area, such as a better universal disc player with a quality DAC built in, or a dedicated hardware music server? I love the Woo tube sound, though, so the amp is going to stay for awhile.
Thanks in advance for any opinions from anyone.












