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Identify System Bottleneck - Digital Front End or Preamp

Need some opinions on whether to upgrade my digital front end or preamp first.

System:
Speakers:  Wilson Sabrina
Amp:  VTL ST-150
Preamp:  Hovland HP-100
Digital Front:  Mac Mini w/ Audirvana3+ & Ayre QB-9
Cables:  Cardas GR

I'm trying to decide between upgrading the Hovland HP-100 to VTL TL2.5i, or upgrading the digital front end to a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge.  The Hovland HP-100 has been updated (twice) to the latest production specifications right before Hovland went out of business.  I've also recently retubed with super low noise pre-war yugoslavian 12ax7s and super low noise telefunken 12at7s from RAM-labs.  My concern with upgrading the preamp:  Will the VTL tl2.5i actually surpass the Hovland's performance or will I actually loose sound quality?

Regarding upgrading the digital front end:  I can only see benefits, but not sure if this is the bottleneck, or the preamp.

Room is highly treated so there is absolutely no need to address room treatment at this point.
cbl117

Showing 2 responses by audiotroy

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,875 posts
 
Phantom av the Hovland pre was designed as a reference preamp by the guys who bullt the hoviand capacitors.

This was an exceptional preamp.

We sell lumin and Mytek the T2 is just better.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Mytek and Lumin dealers
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,875 posts
 
Honestly the difference in preamps would not be better the hovland preamp was a reference grade pre.

The ayre was a good dac but is showing its age.

Also a mac mini or laptop is not designed as a music transport so your path to the dac is compromised.


We would recomend a lumin t2 to replace the dac and Mac mini

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Lumin dealers
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