@hgeifman I'm in a similar situation. I just purchased the Bel Canto Ref600m monos and will be driving them directly with the PS Audio DirectStream Junior. The DSJ isn't quite the M1 DAC, but I hear they are both similar in the way they present more of an analog sense of ease and lack of digital glare. I'm excited to get my new setup running.
This setup is an upgrade to my previous pair of Cambridge Azur 851N DAC driving an Audio Research DSi200 which is a class D integrated using a linear analogue power supply. I was actually very happy with the ARC, but it had a passive pre section that couldn't be bypassed to use just the power section. I need a power amp that will allow me to control volume digitally elsewhere in the chain (and perhaps do some DSP/crossover stuff with a DEQX in the future). The ARC amp had awesome drive and really wide soundstage. Everything I read about it online was very positive from 6 Moons, Absolute Sound, etc., but ARC stopped making their class D line. I always wondered why. I can only speculate. It certainly wasn't from poor reviews.
This setup is an upgrade to my previous pair of Cambridge Azur 851N DAC driving an Audio Research DSi200 which is a class D integrated using a linear analogue power supply. I was actually very happy with the ARC, but it had a passive pre section that couldn't be bypassed to use just the power section. I need a power amp that will allow me to control volume digitally elsewhere in the chain (and perhaps do some DSP/crossover stuff with a DEQX in the future). The ARC amp had awesome drive and really wide soundstage. Everything I read about it online was very positive from 6 Moons, Absolute Sound, etc., but ARC stopped making their class D line. I always wondered why. I can only speculate. It certainly wasn't from poor reviews.