Opinion on audio note kit dac 5.1 or 4.1

I built an AN Kits 4.1LE some years back, subbing in some VH Audio Copper/Teflon caps.  It sounds much like others have described.  Decent detail, but certainly not digging in as deeply as my Lampi Pacific.  Warmer, rounder, kinder to the music - - just a pure joy to listen to in my second system.  More "analog" sounding than a lot of ss DACS.  It does respond to different tubes, to be sure, and really likes a rectifier upgrade.  I think its a pretty good DAC for the money, if your systems needs a source that is not "in your face" - - then it's a good match.

I find that a Bendix 5852 Redbank manufacture is the primo rectifier in the ANK DAC.  Just more of everything compared to the tube supplied with the kit.  And I run Philips JAN 5687WE's, too.

I hate to say it, but the Lampi Pacific is quite a bit better than the ANK DAC - - I don't know how to characterize these things as percentages.  I've gone up the chain of Big 7, Golden Gate, and finally Pacific, and even the Big 7 clearly offers more information while staying very musical.  The others just get better and better.  That said, I have kept the ANK for my second system, rather than move the Big 7 into it, so that says something about value for the ANK.

I have never heard the 5.1, so I can't comment on that.

Maybe it's the DHT tubes, but regardless, all Lampi's I have owned present a large, fairly 3D soundstage.  As I went up their range of DAC's, the stage got a little bigger, but the biggest difference is in the increase in musical information and details, which provide more of the "you are there" presentation and feel to the music reproduction.  I have the Pacific now paired with the Taiko Audio Extreme server, and the results are pretty great, as close to "live" as a system has sounded to me.

It is a great hobby all life long.  At 30 I had Vandersteen 2C's with some Counterpoint gear and a SOTA Deluxe Star with SME V tt as the only source.  It's been a joy the whole way to my early 60's.  I just kept plowing about $3k - $4k in my system per year (I have an understanding bride who let's me play with some bonus money).  

I have read that those standard Kron 242's are killer in the DAC's.  I would like to try a pair, but I fear they may be too detailed and neutral in my system.

The Big 7 at its retail, I don't know.  I sold mine for only half of what I paid after two years, as digital depreciates fast.  Now, used, sure!

I am running the RK 300B's, and have PX4's, Psvane WE101D "replicas", and KR T-100's to try, as well.  My system needs the robust and warmer sonic tilt of the 300B's to be right.  I am running the D'Ag S250 amp and HD pre into some TAD CR-1's (the TAD's needing the "warming"!).  Kids all through college, house paid off, I have been indulging in my audio passion pretty strongly in the last few years...and enjoying it very, very much!