Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I've tried a couple things and thought I'd circle back. First, I substituted the Schiit Modi for a Chord Qutest. I noticed a slight bit of added precision but not nearly enough to justify $1400 additional cost. It's possible I'd notice more improvement if I'd tried it in combination with the second piece i auditioned, a Mytek Brooklyn Amp run using my Sphinx v2 as the preamp. This was a fantastic combination to my ears. I loved the added space, substance, and detail of what I could hear. And the Brooklyn created a really black background compared to the Sphinx alone and allowed so much more detail to emerge. This is likely the way I'll go unless I hear a class ab amp in this role or a different integrated that performs better and isn't hatefully more money. I also compared a nice solid state integrated by Atoll IN100 that I loved when I test drove it against my old Marantz PM5004. But compared to the Sphinx I've had for the past year, it's just not as open or transparent sounding as I like now.
Upgrade from Rogue Audio Sphinx v2
My current system is Focal Aria 926s, BlueSound Node 2, and Rogue Audio Sphinx v2. I like the system a lot and enjoy the sound as a big step up from what I had before. But I've recently begun to notice that I feel like the sound is a bit veiled for lack of a better word. I can hear great detail, but it sounds like it's coming through a blanket or something. I suppose this is just my ears/mind adjusting over time. I also had the experience recently of hearing a substantially higher end system that made the music sound as if I could hear the air all the way around each note such that it was just so much more alive sounding. All that's to say, I'm think of upgrading and looking for suggestions. I figure the Sphinx is the place where I want to make a change, in part because I want to go to full solid state to avoid the power drain when my kids leave it on overnight. I've heard an Atoll IN200 that I loved in the shop but haven't compared side by side with my Rogue. I also got recommendations recently for a Musical Fidelity M6si or a Belles Aria, though I haven't found an Aria available recently. I'd rather not spend more than $2500 or so, and that only if it's going to be a significant improvement over what I have now. I'd be curious for folks' thoughts on how much I need to spend to notice a big difference and if there might be something out there that's not a whole lot more than the Sphinx but will give the clearer and more detailed sound I think I'm looking for. I also just like reading your comments in response to these kinds of posts to get a sense of how folks think about sound and various systems. Thanks!
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