Pls help me decide: HiFiMAN Serenade vs AUNE S9C Pro vs Topping stack (A70 + D70 pro)

[OmegaAlpha]

HELP: I'm pretty early on in my audiophile journey here, and am trying to decide how to best spend my money to updgrade my current set-up with a mid- to high- tier DAC / amp combo to drive HiFiMAN Arya Organics (plus occasionally some IEMs).

Budget: $500-1000. These are the options I've narrowed down so far:

• AUNE S9C Pro - around $650 [most wallet-friendly option]
• HiFiMAN Serenade - around $900 [I have no experience with R2R, but what I read sounds compelling; and this integrated option seems to offer quite good value]
• Topping stack (A70 + D70 pro) - around $1000 [takes up most desk real estate, though potentially offers more upgrade paths (if ever needed)? i.e. replacing just the weakest link in the chain]

Any compelling arguments to chose one over the other? Any great alternatives I am missing?
Thank you for any wisdom you could share to help me find my acoustic nirvana

 

[Kevinmalone2802]

Interested in the thread. Considering similar options for a DAC with the addition of a Topping DX9

 

[OmegaAlpha]

Interested in the thread. Considering similar options for a DAC with the addition of a Topping DX9

I've been digging deeper into reviews, and - for what it's worth - I have added a few more DAC/amps to the mix of possible options:

• Topping DX9 as well: seems like better components Than A70+D70 stack (OG AKM 4499EQ), for only slightly higher price with current sales. Looks sexy too
• Fiio K9 AKM: for an even cheaper option (~$500) while still retaining decent power and the alluring AKM 4499 DAC chip.

SMSL DO400 also seems to provide great great bang-for-buck as the Fiio, though not convinced that the clinical ESS chip will play well with my soon-to-be acquired Arya Organics.

Not sure this would help you pick one, but a few more options to consider

For now I'm leaning towards the DX9 for as a near endgame option (for me), though I have zero experience with mid- / hi-fi so not sure it's actually worth the stretch...

 

[Kevinmalone2802]

Thanks. yes, its between the DX9 and prelude for me now