No, more money does not mean better.
If you are paying for a name, no, depends on the name, (kind of)
the DNA 1 gold revision, will run circles around a huge swath of gear, and you said, you don’t have experience with high quality audio.
the Parasound JC2 Halo preamp is also top tier gear!
Those two pieces are higher quality, and will sound better than a lot of other gear.
what are your speakers,,,. ?
what is your source,,,?
cables, .??
What you have there is an amazing amp and preamp!
Sheeesh, keep the gear you have, maybe swap some cables, or speakers, need a change? Your source?
do you stream, use CD player,,,? , cd transport to cloud DAC,,?
Gold revision amps are not easy to come by, if your nervous or serious, the best way would be to contact Steve McCormack and Patrick, and send in for the platinum or similar, upgrade, or have a pair of monoblocks made around your existing DNA1 amp!
You will save a bunch of money by McCormack upgrading, or making monoblocks, instead of spending the 8K on a lower powered integrated,,,.?
The Halo JC2 is amazing, and will serve you with her amazing crystal clarity and reliability for many years, adding a upgraded DNA1 platinum Ed or higher will be WELL WORTH MORE THAN spending more $$$
call Steve or Patrick, and talk with them, you will save a ton of money, and come away with one of the best most,amazing stereo or monoblock pair You can afford through McCormack.
I wouldn’t even think twice, the SMC stuff is about as top shelf you can get.
but, if you “think” spending 7500$ on a low powered integrated, which will clip, and not give you the superior WALLOP, SILKY SOUND OF A MCCORMACK with the Halo JC2 combo, go ahead, …..don’t say it was worth it, when you hook it up, and it sounds like a sheet is covering your speakers.
Just being honest, as this is what I would want!
when I was on the fence about a big purchase I made several years ago,..I turned to the people at not just AG, but several forums, it was unanimous, I could not be happier with my amps.
I would ponder long and hard about giving Steve or Pat a call.
I know, I’m a broken record, but a setup like yours is totally worth upgrading through McCormack smc audio
hope this helps.
before you do anything, call and talk to Steve or Pat at smc audio
Keep us updated as to your progress
i look forward to your decision