i recommend considering only a dac that allows 24bit/196 Khz source processing, or at least is upgradable to these specs or higher. unfortunately, the units i believe best meet this requirement may be more costly than your system demands. they are the boulder 1012 dac/pre or the accuphase dp-75v. but then, you can rid yourself of a preamp with either choice. FWIW, the boulder retails for $15k and the accuphase $11k.
Replace my dac (NOW!)?
Gentlemen-i'm very pleased with my system, which retails for about 20k; Silverline sonatinas/v.a.c. triode tube amp/ AA dds.pro transport/AA dtipro.32 jitter filter/AA ddev3.0 dac hot-rodded by dusty vawters/m.p.s. power supply for digital. audio magic i2s digital dds.pro>dtipro>ddev3.0. shunyata viper v2&sidewinder power cords-xlo type 1.1 interconnects/silverline bi-wire speaker cables/f.t. audio passive line attenuator/api power wedge 116 mk II plc. should i pronto replace my AA ddev3.0 now? i realize that is the weakest link but wonder just how much its hurting my system. i'm considering a tubed dac Audio Note 1.1 thanks mike