Hi Richard,
Yes, I believe it might be time to replace your ML-30.6 DAC, however your ML-31.5 might be a keeper even now. I used to own this combo at one time and always thought the DAC was the "weak" partner of the combo.
I'm a staff reviewer for hometheaterreview.com and have posted a review on the Concert Fidelity Battered power reference DAC there, along with a review here on Audiogon on the first generation CF DAC which has many comments along with information on the current battered power piece.
I also wrote a review for HTR on the Pass Labs-60.8 Mono Blocks and picked them as a product of the year.
If you only listen to Redbook CD's then you owe it to yourself to audition the CF battered power DAC. I now use the reference MBL transport in my system and this combo makes beautiful music, indeed. The ML-31.5 transport I'm sure is still a great piece and would mate very well with the CF DAC.
Take a look at the reviews for information/details on the CF DAC to get an idea of its sound. The ML-30.6 DAC has been surpassed a long time ago and would sound very "mechanical" compared to the tube based battered powered CF DAC. The CF DAC retails for $12,000.00 way below your budget limit. Hope this helps.
Yes, I believe it might be time to replace your ML-30.6 DAC, however your ML-31.5 might be a keeper even now. I used to own this combo at one time and always thought the DAC was the "weak" partner of the combo.
I'm a staff reviewer for hometheaterreview.com and have posted a review on the Concert Fidelity Battered power reference DAC there, along with a review here on Audiogon on the first generation CF DAC which has many comments along with information on the current battered power piece.
I also wrote a review for HTR on the Pass Labs-60.8 Mono Blocks and picked them as a product of the year.
If you only listen to Redbook CD's then you owe it to yourself to audition the CF battered power DAC. I now use the reference MBL transport in my system and this combo makes beautiful music, indeed. The ML-31.5 transport I'm sure is still a great piece and would mate very well with the CF DAC.
Take a look at the reviews for information/details on the CF DAC to get an idea of its sound. The ML-30.6 DAC has been surpassed a long time ago and would sound very "mechanical" compared to the tube based battered powered CF DAC. The CF DAC retails for $12,000.00 way below your budget limit. Hope this helps.