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Upgrading your system three options DAC, Cartridge or speaker cables???

Got the urge to do a little unexpensive upgrade. With a budget up to $1000 give or take I pondered where to target my next upgrade. First my system:

Linn TT well upgraded.   5-6 yr old Ortofon 2M Black

Bells Virtuoso dual amp

Audible Illusion 3M- A pre

Vandys 2CE Sig - Kimber 12tc

Bluesound Node 2I. Qobuz.  Red River interconnect

I mostly (80%) listening to streaming since I'm new to the technology and love discovering new artists. I bought the Bluesound in 3/21. The SQ, I believe is good or even better than CD. I'm reasonable pleased but it's not Vinyl quality. Classic rock, jazz, prog rock are my favorite tunes. 

Considering: investing in Canare 4S 11 cables to replace Kimbers. Or Rocket 33 since I need bi wire. OR Invest in a DAC like the Gustard, Denafrip or Shiit. OR replace the cartridge with a Hanna SL (I'll need to add a phono setup) 

Someaudiophiles recommend starting with the input, Cartridge/ DAC, then working toward the output, cables. Others recommend just cables (Vandys recommend Audioquests) and enjoy the system until next upgrade!

As you can see the options are many, but what I'm interested is members suggestions as to where to start, input or output. Suggestions for equipment, cables, cartridge are also welcome. Thanks

 

128x128lobinero

Showing 1 response by mrklas

mrklas
441 posts
 

My initial thought is DAC given your 80% streaming.

Speaker cables may not be the first choice but given I owned Canare 4S11 and did testing of speaker cables.  Here's my experiences....I tested Rocket 33, Kimber Kable 12 TC and Kimber Kable Bifocal as upgrades over the Canare 4S11.  The Bifocal's are over $1k and I preferred their sound significantly over the others.  I preferred the Canare 4S11 over the 12TCs and Rocket 33s - and they were ~$100 from Blue Jean Cables.

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