I'd also consider upgrading your Preamp. You could sell your Line 1 for maybe just over $1K and get a Line 3 for about $2.1k. The improvement will not be subtle. Just another idea, but I also agree with some comments above on your front end being a weak link. Probably the best DAC for $1k would be an EVS Millenium II. I wouldn't spend much on the digital cable - a DH Labs D75 or so would be fine for $60 or so. Those two upgrades I mentioned would amount to about $2k. That's how I would spend $2k given your system. Good luck.
Help with Upgrade
I am ready to upgrade but not exactly sure where to start. I would like to get some ideas from some of you as to what you might do and what you would get. I have approx. $2000.00 to spend. Being as digital is main source of listening that is all I am working with for now. Thanks for any input. My equipment is as follows:
LLano Design A-300 Mono Amps (300 WPC)
Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Sony CDP-C701ES CD changer
DH Labs BL1 SII Interconnects
DH Labs Q10 Speaker Cables (Bi-wire)
VMPS ST/R Speakers
VansEvers Clean Line
LLano Design A-300 Mono Amps (300 WPC)
Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Sony CDP-C701ES CD changer
DH Labs BL1 SII Interconnects
DH Labs Q10 Speaker Cables (Bi-wire)
VMPS ST/R Speakers
VansEvers Clean Line