Help Scratch My Itch

[The Expanding Man]

I have been so good for so long - no new purchases.

However, now I feel that itch for an upgrade / new product.

Here is my current set ups:

Speaker System

Denon 3910

Thorens TD160S with ATML440

Muscial Fidelity X-LPS

Aksa GK-1 Preamp

Aksa Power Amp

Speakers

Main Headphone Rig

Denon 2910

RSA Raptor (no flames, I like it!!)

Headphones

HD580 with Cardas

AKG701

HD590 with SAA cable (ditto the Raptor).

Desktop Computer Rig

Monica11 USB DAC

M^3 diy job

Work Setup

Bithead with the HD590's

These are the options I am considering:

(1) A Pico. I am finally ripping my CDs to Flac on a laptop for portability.

Pros - should be a great portable/work set up.

(2) DIY'ing a Beta 22. I am thinking real kick ass balanced. This will lead to the need for a balanced source - possibly a twisted pear opus DAC.

Cons - I do like my Raptor, have found some tubes I love. I prefer the sound of tubes to my SS M^3. No chance of auditioning a Beta 22 where I live (the remotest city in the world, people).

(3) Finishing a project to build a plinth for a Garrard 401 turntable (will be paired with a RB300 and Denon 103R).

Pros - It frees up my current turntable in my speaker set up to place it in my main headphone set up.

Pros & Cons - I will need a second phono stage. I had my eye on the DIY Hifi Cole kit, but I see it is no longer listed, just the prebuilt LCR version.

(4) Taking advantage of all my Flac ripping and getting a Squeezebox.

Pros - I can get fatter by not getting up to change discs

Cons - I do like my high rez formats.

(5) Doing some upgrades to my digital sources - thinking zap filters to start with.

Suggestions/sarcasm/totally off-topic replies welcome.

[The Expanding Man]

Forgot to add - zap filters would give me a balanced output option.

[Beefy]

I can't really help with your questions unfortunately, but........

No chance of auditioning a Beta 22 where I live (the remotest city in the world, people).

A fellow Perth-ite? Honolulu perhaps? Or somewhere else?

[The Expanding Man]

I can't really help with your questions unfortunately, but........

A fellow Perth-ite? Honolulu perhaps? Or somewhere else?

Mullaloo, not Honolulu.

Nice to meet a neighbor.

[Beefy]

Mullaloo, not Honolulu.

Nice to meet a neighbor.

Indeed! I'm not aware of any β22's in the area to try out, unfortunately

[luvdunhill]

Pros & Cons - I will need a second phono stage. I had my eye on the DIY Hifi Cole kit, but I see it is no longer listed, just the prebuilt LCR version.

have you heard the LCR version? What's not to like? price?

I'd sorta like to compare it to a good solid state design. (LCR transformers in general, not necessarily this design, but it would be a good start).

[The Expanding Man]

have you heard the LCR version? What's not to like? price?

I'd sorta like to compare it to a good solid state design. (LCR transformers in general, not necessarily this design, but it would be a good start).

Price of itself is not the issue - rather that I have no chance to audition it and would take a big loss if I decide to resell.