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Best significant upgrade? Dac? Preamp?

Hi guys!

Im hoping some of you with knowledge of my system can help me make a good decision about my next upgrade.
I would like a surprising and obvious difference not hard to spot subtle change.
From my research i think the next move should be the Dac.
I would like to explore DSD,i have some SACDs now.
my system:
Mark Levinson 320s preamp
(Would i see a difference with a ML no.52?) I am also looking at the no.52 ,would i see a big difference compared to the 320s? Worth the extra $$ ?
interconnects: Acoustic Research master series silver high definition RG6
ML 431 amp
XLR: +bo ? +ba ? Only info on them

Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 5.1 speakers (serie 7 tweeters) +transparent music wave plus cables
Arcam rdac (wifi) with Teddy Pardo power supply.
Running on mac air (usb) ,Tidal HIFI
(i currently listen most of the time to this vs rarely SACD).
Thanks!



128x128nicsaudio
nicsaudio's avatar
nicsaudio OP
3 posts
 
I know PS Audio ,nice design and i heard good reviews,will look into that!

I must have looked at DACs for at least 10 hours and its getting confusing as to what i should buy.  :-/
Its a risky investment due to high purchase price and quick depreciation because of technologie advances.

Should get a TUBE to warm up my sound a bit?

Budget around $1000-$1500 looking for a deal worth more since i tend to be able to keep a few years and sale at purchase price without losing.

I have a Monster 3600 MK II power filter.
How important is it to pay more? 
I always thought my power filter was doing a good enough job.



nicsaudio's avatar
nicsaudio OP
3 posts
 
I meant "get a TUBE DAC*"
nicsaudio's avatar
nicsaudio OP
3 posts
 
Concerning DACs inhave seen good reviews on Lampi and Chord but they are really expensive !
emailists
923 posts
 
I'm Cleary biased since I now sell PS audio gear, but the new torreys operating system that is in beta right now takes the DS dac to another new even higher level.  The direct stream Jr is lower cost and uses the same OS.    
I also agree power conditioning makes a huge difference.    I'll make a post about the new one from audioquest I just got in. 
marktomaras
544 posts
 
 The previous incarnation of the PS audio top-of-the-line DAC doesn't do DSD, but it is an amazing performer. And it is in your price range. I recommend looking at the perfect wave DAC Mark two, wIth bridge Mark two if you can find it. If not you can always  upgrade the bridge directly through PS audio.   Best of all, with this type of investment which is already greatly depreciated, you can sell it for nearly what you paid for it if you decide to move on. The other option for you in the future is to upgrade this unit for the newer DSD model by replacing the internals which are available  from PS audio. 
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