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Thanks again.
The thing is, right now I'm considering another DAC, namely the Reference 7.
Nice choice - why compromise.
I understand it's quite a bit more expensive,
but you will save money by avoiding upgrading losses later and also the expense of a HiFace or similar jitter reduction source
but it looks very solid
and look at all the quality components - amazing value
and is described by the manufacturer as a more neutral model (which suits me better because I think that flavors should preferably originate from amps and headphones, not from DACs).
Im with you on that, besides even the neutral REF5 is to me is if anything on the dark side of tonality
I think it will probably outperform the DA11,
you would need to listen to know but it would be a shock if it did not
and should I need to go balanced in the future I won't have to change the DAC.
yeah
Modular design also helps.
smart design for reliability-maintenance
I don't think there should be any problem with jitter, but if there is, I'll probably buy the Halide bridge sometime in the future.
REF5 seems source insensitive to me but the LavryDA10 needs a HiFace and the DA11 is much like the DA10
As for the DA11's built-in amp/preamp, it's a welcome addition, but I don't really need it, so whatever money I'd have to spend on that particular module would be spent for nothing.
good rationale