Upgrading my digital system


Hey folks! I’m thinking about upgrading my digital system: northstar design model 192 transport and luxman da-06 dac. Few times I listen to cd but usually hi res files with an aurender linked to the dac. My budget is 8-9k euros. I’m not using tidal yet -  i don’t know if mqa option is worth and aurender can stream mqa with extra cost conductor  app). My first question is to keep the transport and go for a metronome le dac 2 or meitner ma3 or buy a cd player with dac like metronome le player 4 or ayon cd 35 signature. My last choice would be keep on saving and get a bartok or msb discrete. I’ve got spectral system matched with marten speakers. Any help would be appretiated. Thanks!!

vargtimmen

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

Nice looking system.

I first would mirror @kota1 ’s comments. There is an enormous opportunity for system tuning and improvements in the sound you get from your existing system.

But on your question. First, my streaming sounds the same as an equivalent CD or stored files. However high resolution albums through streaming sound better than a CD and on average streaming sounds the same as my vinyl rig. See my system.

So, if I were to upgrade from where you are I would skip the CD transport part. Assuming you want the largest bang for the buck.

Qobuz is the service to use not Tidal. Qobuz has over half a million high resolution albums. You mention Aurender, I definitely recommend Aurender I have two. The Conductor app is free.

I quickly reviewed the DACs you are looking at and a couple reviews. I don’t feel I know enough about the DACs and your tastes to help there. I will say that at this time in the technological advancement you can get an outstanding DAC for around $10K and an outstanding streamer for $10K and that allocation of funds in about equal proportion is about right. My streamer is about 20% more than my DAC… a well worth it investment.