I built the Audio Note Kit 4.1 LE and subbed in some VH Audio CuTf caps on the output, plus rolled all of the tubes a fair bit. It is a great DAC for the money IME, and it easily displaced my EAR Acute with greater body and "feel" of all instruments, more completely realized timbre, and a greater 3D soundstage. I still use this DAC in my second system.
In my principal system I use a Lampizator Golden Gate, and it is just so much better than the AN piece - - "shake your head real" many times. The Lampi gear has all of the strengths of the AN, just more so. The Lampi Big 7 I used before this was also clearly superior to the AN in my system (and it teased me into reaching for the GG). It might be worth your while giving the latest Lampi product a spin.
In my principal system I use a Lampizator Golden Gate, and it is just so much better than the AN piece - - "shake your head real" many times. The Lampi gear has all of the strengths of the AN, just more so. The Lampi Big 7 I used before this was also clearly superior to the AN in my system (and it teased me into reaching for the GG). It might be worth your while giving the latest Lampi product a spin.