Thanks all for your input. With redbook, sometimes my Sony sounds to "hard", which, if I understand correctly, is part of the house sound for a lot of their players. This might be why I find myself so often turning to vinyl for relief. So a softer sound might be just what I'm looking for.
I shot the seller an email, we'll see what happens.
Peter, iirc you have auditioned both the MKI and MKII versions of this DAC. Is there any visual way to determine which is which, so I can verify that the Aqvox pictured in the agon ad is indeed the MKII?