What's the AN Dac-1? The EMM stack is an incredible source, as is the NWO by all reports, but I would say more that they are the upper stratosphere of hi-fi, while the Lavry and Transporter are closer to the entry point. I guess everyone ranks things a different way, but I've always thought of mid-fi gear as the better consumer level stuff. Missing that level of resolution and refinement that makes a hi-fi piece of equipment.
I mean, I can appreciate a stellar source or amp, but just because there exists better stuff out there doesn't make our gear mid-fi.