2. digital
  3. 186628-20132

Upgrading my streaming/digital system- what would make the most sense?

Hello all,

I would like to improve my digital chain and I'd like to get your feedback on which component(s) are worth upgrading first.  I would like to get a more natural/organic sound and more naturally layered soundstage.  Don't get me wrong, it sounds good but there is a bit of digital haze ( I think the blacks could be blacker and spatial cues could be more present- thus the somewhat flat presentation), and at times the music sounds a little artificial, albeit very clean.
I use Roon to stream Tidal and Qobuz and the digital audio chain consists of ethernet  cable> switch (basic cisco)>  2 ethernet cables
> Macmini (roon core) 
> Moon 280d with Mind2 bridge (roon endpoint etc)
(The rest is Vinnie Rossi preamp in passive mode to Pass Labs xa60.5 mono's to Avantgarde duo's or Thiel 3.7's; cabling Nordost Heimdall 2; I also have an analogue set up).

I had always assumed that the most effective upgrade would be the dac, particularly because in this configuration the '"noisy" Macmini does no processing other than sending a stream of 1's and 0's as a Roon core/server to the Moon/Mind2 bridge as Roon endpoint/renderer.

But some have suggested that this is not the case ie the Macmini should be replaced with a Nucleus or Small Green Computer, or something else along these lines, rather than the Dac.  But would that really make such a noticeable improvement rather than a considerably better dac?
Or would something else yield a better improvement?
I would like to go in stages rather that doing a wholesale replacement of the entire chain so I need a bit of help to decide what the next step should be- many thx for your thoughts and feedback.



 

pgastone
jayrossi13's avatar
jayrossi13
183 posts
 

My personal experience: I found the biggest jump in sound quality was going from a Mac mini to a dedicated music server/streamer, which at the time was en entry level Aurender. My current server/streamer is an Innuos Zenith Mk 3, I'm using the Innuos Sense music app as I find it sounds better than Roon on the Zenith. 

I also have a Small Green Computer, which runs Roon for my Bluesound speakers around the house. 

The sound quality difference is noticeable between the Zenith/Sense and the Small Green Computer/Roon in my main system. 

 

 

 

 

 

soix
9,456 posts
 

the advantage of the Innos Zenith is that I would have it working as both a roon core/server AND as a streamer. This would mean being able to replace my Macmini and adding a streamer rather than having to upgrade the server as well and adding a streamer.

Given your specific situation this makes a helluva lotta sense, and I agree having the streamer and server in the same box is a relatively small compromise (if it even is a compromise, which I have my doubts all things considered) that comes with a big dose of convenience and simplicity. Seems like it very effectively solves all your issues in one box, and as mentioned their Sense app is highly regarded for both usability and sound quality and is continually being improved/upgraded even further, and to top it off their customer service is top notch if ever needed. Handwriting would seem to be on the wall here.

pgastone OP
79 posts
 

You may have just pushed me over the line!
I am very much leaning this way the more I think about it.

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,665 posts
 

+1 @soix 

As usual, soix has the best advice :)

I owned an Innuos Zenith MK3 and thoroughly enjoyed it. A used specimen goes for around $3200-3500 nowadays -- maybe even less since they have introduced the Pulsar line. Consider what you're getting for the money ...

- Built-in Roon Core server; can easily switch back and forth between Roon and their proprietary Sense software. No need to buy a separate Roon server.

- The SQ of their proprietary Sense software, IMO, is noticeably better than Roon.

- At least 1TB of SSD -- great for downloading hi-res or DSD music; no need for a separate NAS

- Built-in CD ripper which is fast and easy to use

Lastly, I know there are folks who are very skeptical of tweaks, but I can speak from experience that replacing the stock fuse with Synergistic Research Purple fuse was quite a shocker. The jump in SQ was phenomenal. It's only $200 and comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. Don't ask me how a mere fuse can do this, but you have to try it to believe it.

mg012
7 posts
 

Too many unneeded parts.  
 

get a dCS Bartok streaming dac.   You can go directly into the Pass power amp.  If you really want to hear analog sounding digital streams go listen to one of the dCS streamer dacs.   Be prepared to be pleased.  There are used Bartoks for reasonable prices.  Roon just gets in the way.  
 

michael

More to discover