2. digital
  3. 195708-188932

upgrade question regarding DAC and streamer

I want to improve my system's imaging after having carefully placed my speakers and done some room treatment to reduce reflections.

My system includes a McIntosh MA8950 integrated amplifier, Sonus faber Olympica Nova III speakers, a Silent Angel Bonn 8 network switch and its LPU, and an Innuos Zen Mini Mark III with its LPU. I use the Mini with its Sense app to stream Qobuz to the McIntosh's DA2 DAC.

I am considering a DAC+streamer such as the MSB Discrete (with render/streamer add-on, and its separate single LPU) and the dCS Lina (with built-in power supply). My budget is about 15K.

In the future, I will get a separate preamp and amp, perhaps using the MA8950 as the preamp for a while.

The dealer with whom I have a great relationship carries MSB, dCS, and Innuos (their Stream3 may also be a good option when it comes out). Of course, I will listen to the DAC+streamer options with the same/similar integrated amp and speakers at the dealer's.

For the purpose of improving imaging with my system/room/good speaker placement, does upgrading the DAC and streamer make sense, or should I upgrade to separates first? Or something else?

jrdavisphd

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
8,274 posts
 

Let me also recommend Robert Harley's book: The Complete Guide to High End Audio. It lays out the principles of putting together a great system, what each component contributes, terminology etc. It is a must read for folks upgrading their systems.

ghdprentice
8,274 posts
 

Wow, that is a really challenging question... complex. 

I have owned Sonus Faber Olympica for many years, I upgraded to Sonus Faber Amati Traditional a few years ago. 

After some thought. I would recommend spending some time planning where you want  your system to go, then slowly replacing one component at a time. 

Imaging is the result of your whole system. The heart of your system is the preamp. Your streamer isn’t too bad... so it really does not make sense to replace that until you have the permanent "core system sound". That would come from your preamp, amp, and speakers. Then you would upgrade your front end. 

Your speakers can support the sound you want... and be a bit forgiving and musical. Good that you chose those first. 

The first thing you want to do is to identify your target sound. One way of looking at different sound types...1)  highly detailed / analytical / a bit dry... but holographic... Burmeister, Luxman, on this side, 2) Middle of the road, MacIntosh... warm, bassy, but lacking in detail (important for imaging), and 3) highly musical, natural sounding, for instance, Audio Rearch, Conrad Johnson. 

Outstanding imaging can easily come from any, but the first and last are the most easily achieved. It is critical at your stage to decide where you want to go. Be very careful with treble... excessive treble gives the impression of great detail and imaging... but can be fatiguing or lack musicality... by having an attenuated midrange. Midrange is the key to the emotional connection with music. 

I recommend a lot of auditioning to determine what camp your tastes are in. The first component would be recommend searching for would be a great preamp... consider used to get as high up the audio chain you can get. I favor Audio Research and Conrad Johnson. Then amp... then finally DAC and then streamer. 

If I was doing this, it could easily take a couple years to slowly choose and upgrade all the components. But when done, you will have an incredible system. 

In between auditioning (consider travel)  different systems, try mix in some real acoustic music... symphony, small jazz group, and/ or individual instruments. Calibrating yourself with real music will be really advantageous in the long run. 

If you are interested, my systems are shown under my userID. 

More to discover