System Advice required please

Rogue Audio RP-1 Pre-Amp ??

@greenmac 

Just looking over your setup (I like the looks of your amp btw- clean lines) and wondering what your trying to get the most improvement from. Are you using the NUC just for ripping and network playback or coming that with streaming as well?

I used an integrated amp for years before moving up to what I use now- nothing wrong with that as long as it fits your needs. At the time I used a separates- a disk player and music server but no streaming. What are your highest priorities when it comes to your system?

"even used these are more expensive than you want to spend."

How about the Quicksilver linestage, or a Schiit Freya+?

I and many other like tubed preamps. They usually have a more musical and natural sound. Maybe a used Rogue? I would normally recommend a used Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, or VAC… but even used these are more expensive than you want to spend.

That’s really useful thank you looking at :

Kinki Audio EX-P7

Sparkos Aries

Well, as I said your system is pretty well balance. Given your budget it would be easy to invest it and simple exchange one pretty good sound with a different pretty good sound. So, I had two paths.
 

I think to increase the sound quality I would not invest any more in PC/Data clean up. When you decide you want to move up in sound quality on the front end, then go to a dedicated streamer. Maybe something like a used Aurender N100… or better yet N200.  So, I guess that is my first thought. If you want to improve the front end… you should spend more. So, if you want one step and done… I would do a N200. 

Let me explain my strategy towards upgrades. To get the very most out of an upgrade cycle you want start with a balanced system… where no one component is really inferior or greatly superior. I think you are there. Then to upgrade, you choose the first step … in this case I would guess the best step would be the preamp. Then over time bring up all the other components. 

So, if you want to build a much better system over time, I think I would start by getting a high quality preamp and continue to use the amp part of your integrated amp. Then over time upgrade the amp, then front end with a good streamer. 
 

Hopefully, you sense that this os a hard call. Small rooms can be great if you don’t get carried away with huge speakers and amps… sounds like you are thinking the right thoughts and doing the right things.

Hmm, what preamp? I would go used and save up to the 2.5K maybe. I’ll have to do some research to come up with a recommendation. 

Thanks ghdprentice

i thought the Singxer su6 was highly regarded so surprised 

what pre-amp would you consider ?

speakers are Proac db1 as the room is quite small

With just a quick look over your system it looks like it is pretty well balanced. If there is a weakness I would look at the Singxer SU6 DDC. I would recommend a good preamp first. You have a good DAC, you need a good sounding preamp… the heart of the sound.

What are your speakers?

My rule of thumb in upgrading should be no less than a 2x expenditure in any component.

I recommend getting a replacement for the NUC with a preamp that bundles streaming and room correction software like the Paradigm PW Link or the NAD C658.