I have an AMR DP777 and if it were me, I would have it repaired and upgraded. I agree that for you, the answer should depend on whether you liked the DP777 before it failed. My understanding is that the SE primarily adds more bass slam/authority. If you don't mind my asking, please explain the "
usb->spdiff converter+coax cable" part. I use USB only and I wonder if I could get the upgrade done only on the power supply and any other circuitry that only pertain to USB for a lesser charge. Probably not. I have not heard the Schitt Yggy or the Metrum Onyx but you should be aware that the AMR is designed to sound very analogue and I can't help but suspect that the other options are going to sound more characteristically digital (more clarity, detail, and definition at the expense of some sharp edges to notes that some. like me, find irritating over time). Look at is this way; the better a DAC measures on JA's workbench, the more likely it is to sound "digital" rather than analogue. This is just my humble opinion which many here will ballyhoo.
Upgrade to AMR DP-777 SE or look elsewhere
My AMR DP-777 is broken, and I have the opportunity to fix it with an upgrade to DP-777 SE. The cost would be about $1400 (upgrade+usb->spdiff converter+coax cable).
However, DP-777 SE version is old: 2015. It might be a better idea trashing the AMR, and spend $2000-$3500 and get something modern, like Shitt Yggdrasil, some used DS Direcstream Jr+BridgeII, Metrum Onyx, etc,
What's your opinion?. Go the cheapest option (upgrade the AMR DP-777 to SE version and add a decent usb->spdif converter), or burning $2k-$3.5k to get a modern DAC?.
DAC's usage: 50% vocal jazz, 15% pop, 15% rock, 10% electronic, 10% all the rest. DSD is irrelevant for me, my library is 80% redbook and some high-res files 24/96, 24/192. The source is a laptop with files in a NAS, amp goes with valves, and I want nothing sounding digital or fatiguing after many hours of music in the background.
;-)