OK, kinda off topic:
If capacitance is the main concern for interconnects, and impedance is the main issue for speaker cable, what do I need to worry about for headphone cables? Can I assume impedance like speaker cable?
A thoroughly HF-style first post: vague and full of assumptions based on HF "common knowledge." I'll throw you a bone by answering your questions to the best of my ability:
1st option: better source or amp
2nd option: almost anything
From what they told me, if you buy it new, you have to set up a couple things before you can use it as a standalone DAC. You would need a Mac for that initial setup.
Tubes don't necessitate tube-rolling, so they're only a hassle if your tubes go bad. Or if you're just super fiddly. Also, why bother with SAA?
Just get the WA5 and copy Mikey's tubes.
I'm fairly certain it's not the album itself. What I heard on that system was not as subtle as poor mastering; it was serious distortion. It's not like I've never heard the song on a variety of equipment before.