Best way to spend my income tax refund


Ok guys, I'm jumping the gun and already pondering the best way to spend my income tax refund. I'm considering 2 totally different options and want to put them up for your opinion.

1. Upgrade McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe to Rev A. I really like this amp and I'm curious to see how far the mods take it. Seems like the general opinion is favorable with this upgrade. How does it compare to a totally different ~$2k (sale of amp plus cost of upgrade) new/used amp?

2. VPI Aries Scout. I admit I'm a digital guy with hundreds of CDs and not a single record. However hearing this turntable made an impression. Was it the Hovland Saphire/Audio Research (SS model not sure which)/Maggie 3.6Qr system that made it sound this good? Would my Musical Fidelity A3cr phono stage do it justice?

Current system, ARC CD1, Musical Fidelity A3cr, McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe, Von Schweikert VR2s, RGPC 400s.

Thanks!
-Dan
dlwask
1. Are you married? With Kids? Then spend it to your family.

2. At school? Tuition fees my friend, tuition fees!

3. Renting? Save for downpayment for a house.

If any of the three mentioned above does not apply to you,
then go ahead. Blow it on analog!!! The Scout is a very good table. Might want to look at Teres tables as well, they on the otherhand are "lifer" system additions.

...my 2 cents....
You will never regret going to the REV A, infact, spring for the extra $ and get the soft recovery diode bridge as well. IMO.
Never spend more than half of your refund. You can keep it all for a year and then use half of next year's refund to complete the upgrade.

If you use this strategy and continue to do this regardless of your other savings/investment plans, you will be shocked at how much you will have, and by spending half you will still be able to play with your refund.

Trust me.
I guess I could have been more specific and said that I'm going to use part of my income tax refund supplemented by extra cash I already had planned to go into my system for a new purchase. Every year a portion of our refund goes to my wife and I for toys, travel, whatever and the rest is invested. Details, details...

Swampwalker, I was actually thinking Rev A or maybe Rev B with the transformer upgrade, any experience with these? I plan on calling Steve to get his opinion and advice as well. I guess option 1b could be a DNA 225.