Assemblage 3.1 or MSB platinum

I think that so far, the D2D-1 is a good value. It does not do all the software stuff that the P-1A aspires to, but I hear a noticable improvement with it. It's a dependable and predictable upgrade and very well constructed. However,it does not support RCA digital I/O without a BNC adapter - I am not sure how badly the adapter degrades the signal. Be sure to get the I2Se interface if pairing with a 3 series DAC. While TPC has a standard $100 off special when purchased with their DAC, they also have a moving sale going on this weekend, and they've been known to cut some generous deals on packages.

The Saturday sale Sat March 17 is a good time to buy gear.I live five minutes from the factory and will be there to see what goodies are up for grabs.Call and ask for Frank he will cut you a good deal.

Tried the 3.1 for about 100 hours. Through my B&W802's(North Creek Mod), the 3.1 was noticably too bright-compared to my EAD. Am using an Assemblage D2D upsampler in the chain and never tried the 3.1 without the D2D(why would I want to?) The 3.1 never achieved the soothness of the EAD. Sent it back for full refund. Parts Connection very good and professional company to deal with.

Amazing that I also am running the 3.1 into B&W 802's with North Creek outboard Xovers, and I find it very musical, with not a hint of brightness. I upgraded the cheapo standard opamps to the far more expensive model (part of the PLATINUM upgrade package), and the sound improved greatly. I am using my CAL Icon MkII as a transport, run the 3.1 balanced to a Bryston BP-25 preamp and BAT VK-200 amp. Sounds like beautiful music to me!

Thanks Madisonears for your comments. The 3.1 that I auditioned was the Platinum package which is all the more reason that I was so disappointed. My transport is a Theta
Basic II feeding the EAD 7000III DAC. 802 Series II are modified by North Creek and I've added Golden Flutes which make a substantial difference in the bottom end. All interconnects are Gamut. Speaker cable is the new Silver Sonic Q-10. My reference point is my ears-I constantly go to live concerts, especially chamber. What one hears typically is the mellow and wonderful resonance of the wooden bodied instruments-that's what is missing with the 3.1 Who knows, maybe I received a defective unit-but after 100 hours of music still sounded like the cello player was on vacation...and it was even more pronounced on larger classical pieces. I imagine that these differences are what keep us interested in the pursuit of excellence.