Thanks for all your responses. I'm leaning on just keeping it and holding out with my upgrade on other components. I don't have a choice if I were to get the next gen processor anyways. But I'm readying myself as I am also hoping to pick up an SVS ultra sub and I need to replace my old center with either the studio 590 or 690 (leaning towards the 590 due to space).

Otto - I have looked around the web for direct comparisons from the Benchmark and CIAudio, but can't find much. I'm guessing they are comparable (especially with the added VAC-1). It would be interesting to see how they match up...

slbenz - Thanks for sharing. I may have to hang on to it and see what I find in the comparison. I may be testing it against the next gen processor though, but I don't anticipate that being much different for Stereo.

FAUguy - Very interesting.. I can't wait to do my own comparison now to my DAC. I really hope that there isn't much of a difference, could free up some funds....

Videodrome - Funny thing, I have not even tried my SB3 w/o the PS. I bought them together directly from CIAudio when they first released it this past winter. All I know is that I love the set up.

Come to think of it, since I got my Outlaw amp, I haven't tried my SB3 without the DAC. I know that Amps don't do the conversion, but that Amp was the one single upgrade that I have made over the years that blew me away. I was more impressed from that upgrade than the one I went from my Mini Monitors to my Studio 60's, but then again, I was using an old HK receiver at that time. I went from the HK Amp to a NAD Amp, which helped it fill the room, but the Outlaw 7500 took over the room.

I love this hobby - I thought my 5.1 Paradigm monitors were the best thing ever when I got them 6 years ago, but over a series of many upgrades (little by little), my system keeps blowing me away. It only gets better (but I really hope the case of upgrade-itis wheres off at some point).