Not to hijack, but I too am interested in upgrading my source, but honestly don't know where to start. I have a Sony 5400es that has served me very well, but I don't know what I would have to spend on the used market on a dac to better it. I have ARC gear, so was thinking an ARC dac would be logical, but with all this new stuff out, not sure what to do. I'm sure at this point in time my 5400 can be bested on red book. I want balanced outputs, no more than ~2k new or used. Can it be done? Or should I just stick with what I've got?
