Options to improve digital sound


Hi,

I am looking for some, hopefully, simple advice.  My current digital system is an M4 MacMini feeding a Holo May DAC into a PrimaLuna 400 preamp and amp.  My speakers are Devore Gibbon X.  I primarily listen to downloaded and ripped files with Roon and Audirvana.  I also use Qobuz, but not as often.

The sound quality is good, but I feel like it could be improved.  The options I'm considering are a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter i7 to replace the Mini, or a SGC UltraRendu to put between the Mini and the Holo May.

Which option would be better?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to keep the cost under around $2500.

Thanks

walt8489

@mswale

I feel it’s important I clarify what I mean by “decoupling” with regards to hifi music streaming. For Standard data networks or WiFi, this does not matter. 
 

I view the chain of devices + cabling that run from outside your home to your Dac as typically connected via a copper wire (especially shield cable). That wire carries data packets AND some amount of electrical line noise derived from EMI/ RFI and/ or noisy devices. Decoupling, to me, simply means breaking the copper wire transmission connection of electrical “noise” carried from device to device. This is when galvanic separation/ fiber optic comes into play. Let be clear, electrical noise is not imbedded in the data packets, it’s the potential hum or ground loop electrically charged through the copper wire. 
 

The less noise or electrical hash that enters your DAC the better. Less noise contributes to darker background/ lower noise floor. 
 

I hope this helps. 

Long time Audirvāna user on a PC usb out to Pontus 2 DAC 

Pontus DAC was a big upgrade for me

by the way Audirvāna by passes all the computers audio systems and talk directly to you DAC via usb

i have now replaced the Pc and Audirvāna for a Raspberry Pi with Moode Audio software powered by a PurePi 2 with signal out via  a Pi2aes hat providing I2s out put

this system is maxed out at 24/192

all my file are 16/44.1 and passed via I 2s to Pontus 2 DAC at the same level

this combination is significantly better than Audirvāna and PC

 

i still prefer the Audirvāna interface but more than happy to give it up for the upgrade in sound

 

The rest of my system includes a Schitt Audio Freya S ( non tube ) preamp out to a Decware Torii Jr amp the to La Scalas

 

 

 

Try a fiber optic USB cable to the Holo dac if you don't need power downstream, which I don't believe you do. When I used  a Mac with Audnirvana I also used a reclocker then I moved to a dedicated streamer 

Get rid of the Mamoise maker ,a dedicated streamer 

,good q quality Ethernet  cables , for sure from the router a LPS

and good Ethernet switch