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Help Please:Upgrade Coax cable between Node 2i and Chord Qutest..?

Hi,

I have a Bluesound Node 2i going to a Chord Qutest (with Teddy Pardo LPS) feeding a Belles Aria Signature Int amp driving Dynaudio S-40s.

I use a DH Labs digital Coax/SPDIF cable between Node and Qutest.
It is .5M and was $120 new.

MY QUESTION: 

Sticking to a budget of $300-$500 new or used, would I expect to hear sonic benefits from an "upgraded" coax cable?
If so, what would you suggest I look at?

(Not looking for a USB v Optical v Coax rabbit hole please...;-)

Thanks,
Ian
ianrmack

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,718 posts
 
If you want to "upgrade" something, save your money and replace the Node 2i.  
big_greg
6,718 posts
 

Appreciate the responses - even the snarky ones. LOVE all these guys who think that Tidal sounds better if you spend more $$ on a "better" streamer.

Have you tried it?  If not, then you're the one "who thinks" and is being "snarky".  I'm not trying to be snarky, I was just trying to be as nice as I could in how I said it's dumb to spend $300 for a cable on a $500 mass produced streamer. 

You "think" that all digital sounds the same?  OK.

I tried all kinds of upgrades to the Node 2 - external DAC, power supply, better cables, etc.  It is capable of small improvements, but you can only take it so far and at some point you've spent as much or more as it would cost to have a much better digital front end. 

My initial move was from the Node 2 and a nice external DAC to a TEAC NT-505.  That was a nice step up in performance.  Currently I'm running a Roon Nucleus and an Aqua La Voce S3 in my main system and it rivals my analog setup.  Of course that's a significant step up in terms of cost from Bluesound, but the NT-505 isn't after you factor in all those cables, external DAC, power supply, etc.  I'd also look at the Lumin products.

It's your money though, carry on... however, if you'd like to spend your money more wisely and realize more significant improvements, then be open to suggestions from people that have actually gone through what you're contemplating.

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