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Upgrade decision, power conditioner or music server

I am an old audiophile starting my journey in the 70s. I have been a member since 2010 but this is my first post and ask. However, I have enjoyed your back and fourth for years in the weekly review email and I learned from the experience.  I recently changed some of my account parameters and for some reason my account says member from '23.  I am currently building my end-game system within my economic means for retirement.,  Most of the system was purchased pre-owned.  

The room and shelving look worst than they are.  A photo is in the virtual systems tab. The living room is 20'x12'X8' and vents to the left to a 12'X14'X8' L-shaped dining room and to the right to hall and stair case to the second floor. I listen on the width about 7' from the speakers.  Frequency response if fairly flat and standing wave reinforcements or cancellations are not evident due to venting.  The WAF set-up is mitigated by diligent vibration control tools. Besides my room and WAF shelving in a wall unit, which cannot change, I see the weakest links in my system as my power conditioners and music server.  The budget is $3K plus anything for trade in which will only be about $400 or less for conditioning or $900 for the server.  I can only do one or the other.  

I am looking for assistance in determining the greatest benefit/investment ratio.  For conditioning upgrades I am looking at a preowned Shunyata Denali or Audience AR T3.  For a server upgrade, I am looking at the Aurender N10.  My system is listed below and described on the virtual systems tab. If you see another weak link that you feel better to upgrade than conditioning or the server, let me know. I look forward to any assistance from the community in making this  decision.  

Vivid Audio Giya G3 Series 1 Speakers, Krell KSA 300s Amplifier, Krell KRC HR Preamplifier, with KPE Phono Board, VPI TNT 3.0 Turntable upgraded with current platter/bearing, JM Memorial 12.5 Tone Arm, Benz Micro Ruby Cartridge with SoundSmity Boron Cantilever and Tip,  Audiolab 8000T Tuner, Wired 4 Sound 10th Anniversary DAC, Aurender N100H Server, Shunyata Hydra 6 Conditioner (Pre and Power Amp), Audience AR2 Conditioner (Digital), WyWires Platinum Power Cords, Interconnects, and USB Cable, Audio Art Statement Bi-Wire Speaker Cable. 

Look forward to your comments.  Yes, you can have your fun grilling me on the WAF setup.  I know it is bad.  Perhaps when my wife retires and if we decide to move out of NY with its insane taxes, real estate cost, and general COL, I will get to have a room designed for my system.  Look forward to your assistance.  

jsalerno277

Showing 12 responses by jsalerno277

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

PS Sorry for some typos

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

Thank you.  No, I cannot do any of your recommendations.  Moving speakers will block flow patterns,  the wall unit is a WAF requirement, the wall unit glass reflections is possible where I can buy a panel and put it in place for serious listing, I never thought of that.  There is no artwork.  Between the speakers is the massive wall unit.  Doors were open for photographs.  For serious listening, doors are closed.  The door for the preamp shelves is left open just a crack.  The Krell IR remote woks well with minimum opening.  

Thanks for the suggestion on the acoustic panel.  

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

ddrave44 and Willgolf

Thank you.  I am a firm believer in clean power and I am siding on moving to the Denali vs improving the server to the Aurender N10.  However, reviews also indicate a big difference in the N10 vs the N100H.  

Thank you.

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

WillGolf,

I will look into the QSA Jitter Conditioner.  Thanks for the recommendation.  

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

GDHPRENTICE

Changing albums is a challenge.  My wife only hears noise.  At least my son understands and comments on clarity approaching reality.  System setup is non negotiable no matter what expense is invested on her , unless in retirement we move out of the NYC suburbs to a more retirement friendly state and I get a dedicated room.   N200 new would be over budget than preowned N10.  It is published to out perform the N10.  I really enjoyed your response.  

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

BlissHiFi

Thank you.  Would love the N200 but it puts me over budget to a preowned N10.  

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

Baylinor 

Yes.  Depth is not optimal but all Vivid’s are known for their holographic effects and I still get depth and palpable imaging. The speakers are known to be forgiving of room placement.  I am not doing them justice but it’s the best I can do. Thanks.   

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

Lots and Curiousjim.  
I have a deal in writing from a dealer.  My N100H for a preowned N10.  $3k.  Reviews say N10 much better. Still personally siding with improving conditioner to preowned Denali based on feedback I have received. 

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

Maxwave

Room with L-dinning room and hall venting actually does not affect frequency response.  Speaker technology makes them not room sensitive.  Depth is reduced by wall units but still perceptible.  My goal is determining best ROI for general sound improvement.  Besides room technology improvements in power conditioning and music server make these current weak links.  I cannot do much with room.  Thanks for your feedback. 

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

PS Baylinor.  
 I forgot to add speakers are like me at 68…unusual, fat, and funny looking.
Go on the Vivid website to see other angles.  Really an intelligent design.  Also like me in old age. Design of drivers  and cabinet to cancel rear waves, reflection, and vibration for clarity.   No parallel surfaces.  

🤪

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

Thank you all for your feedback.  I will go with my original gut feel and the consensus of the group in improving power conditioning to a pre owned Shunyata Denali or Audience Adept Response T4 or TS0X rather than improving the server.  Clean power = Clear sound.  The T4 will be over budget but I may go for it.  
Thanks  again for your assistance.  

jsalerno277 OP
108 posts
 

I know it’s been a while but I would like to thank all that recommended clean power over improvements to the DAC/Server.  I just installed a preowned Shunyata Denali V1.  I use WyWires Platinum Power Cords throughout.  No change there. Shout out to Ryan T at The Music Room Audio.  As always delivered on time, well packaged, and in excellent condition as described.  Compared to my Hydra, the most prominent changes are accurate timber, improved dynamics, and improved image density.  There is a high frequency glaze or scrim around performers and instruments that has been removed.  This has lowered background noise, made images more three dimensional, locked in on accurate timber, and improved leading edge, micro dynamics, and macro dynamics.  These changes over the Hydra are substantial.  The biggest change is that I am sitting here trying to stay in analytical mode to articulate the changes to you but keep getting forced out of that mode and getting lost in the performance. At that is biggest compliment I can give to this piece of gear.  Thank all for guiding me to cleaner power   Now to save my pennies for my last improvement for my retirement system … a better DAC   

 

 

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