Thanks for the tip NF, I'll just look at the 545 then, supposedly the sound isn't much different just upgrade in features. Of course, one of the features is upsampling which could make a difference.

The T+A provides tons of detail but doesn't sound analytical in the way some criticize Krell, the T+A remains musical. The sound I would describe as a more robust Arcam style sound, the mentioned detail and wide frequency response with stunning bass. T+A is a difficult sound to describe because they aren't what one would call warm or analytical, they just do what they are supposed to do very well and the sound is sweet without lacking anything.

From people I've spoken to and reviews read the Creek Evo is consistently agreed "musical" but on the down side "lacks dynamics", said another way "lack of attack". I like that dark presentation as well but I still like my kick drum to have a kick.

The Primare 31.7 was an excellent preamp processor but I don't care for their CD playback. The sound stage seems comparatively smaller or more intimate which isn't always bad but there was a sound characteristic that annoyed me to the point I couldn't listen. It was like an edginess, or maybe what you said was overly dry.

Jack at Spearitsound thinks highly of the Shanling players but I have not heard one. Wasn't it Bernd who bought one of Shanling's all-in-one units? He seemed to like it pretty well. I've yet to hear any of those Chinese players yet.

I still have my Audio Note DAC if you'd be interested in trying that for tube playback. One down side to them is the lack of ample connectivity. They provide XLR & BNC digital inputs and the BNC can be adapted to coaxial which is what I do.