2. digital
  3. 190834-171779

Start with Upgrade to DAC?

I am ready to set out on an upgrade cycle to my system, which consists of the following, over the next couple of years:

* Rogue Audio RP-7 Preamp (Upgrades: Rogue RP-9 or McIntosh C2800--C2800 includes Phono preamp and DAC)

* Odyssey Kismet Monobloc Amplifiers (Keepers!)

* Lounge Audio LCR Gold phono preamp (Keeper!)

* Fyne Audio F-702 Speakers (Keepers!)

* Definitive Tech Supercube 6000 (Vandersteen Sub Three or Paradigm XR11)

* Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC (Schiit Yggydraseil or ????)

* NAD C568 CD Player used as transport (Schiit Urd or ???)

* iFi Zen Stream

*iPad Pro for Apple Music

* Ice Age Audio OFC Power Cords

* Audioquest and mostly Morrow Interconnects (RCA & XLR)

* Performance Audio Speaker Cables, using Mogami W3104 Speaker Wire

  I am thinking that perhaps the best place to start would be the DAC, with the idea of moving from the Bifrost 2/64, which I like, to the Yggdrasil (model TBD) DAC, which has gotten superb reviews that speak to sound quality characteristics that are of concern to me.  Budget for DAC upgrade is about $2500.  OR, should I go for room correction capability?

I recently replaced a highly-rated 100 wpc tube amplifier with the Odyssey mono blocs, and I was stunned by the improvement in sound quality, definition, and imaging, but I think there still is some room for improvement.

Thoughts and recommendations most welcome.

mike4597
soix
9,456 posts
 

@mdalton There’s no “capeeshing” necessary.  You very sadly can’t hear differences in streamers, which makes your opinion on the topic no more useful than a deaf person’s opinion on speakers.  Capeesh?

Post removed 
tonydennison's avatar
tonydennison
408 posts
 

I believe @mdalton was one of several that were rude to me because I was using a MacMini. 

I took their advice and ditched my MacMini. I am so glad I did. The difference was big.

 

A couple months later I set the MacMini up again for confirmation....yuk !

Sometimes rudeness is what it takes and I'm thankful.

mulchy's avatar
mulchy
11 posts
 

It seems the continuation of this personal disagreement would be more appropriately held, well, personally between the interested parties in DM or what have you - unless you guys feel like steering it back to OP’s inquiry.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,985 posts
 

It’s very simple - anything in a signal path will affect sound quality. There are no exceptions to this rule. These components that are in a signal path…CD transports, Streamers, DACs., tubes, speaker cables, interconnects, digital cables .,all make a difference.
I believe we’ve established this in multiple discussions that people hear differences between streamers. There are a few who don’t believe it’s possible and they will fight tooth and nail to protect their point of view. So why bother arguing with them? Let them say their piece and move on. Just ignore. When you get into a pissing contest with someone like that you’re teaching a pig how to sing. And we all know how that ends. 

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