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Weakest Link in my system... Power Supply, DAC, or...

Hello fantastic Audiogon Community,

 

I am wondering what you all think is the next highest impact upgrade to my system. I have spent the past 8 months upgrading my entire main system to the following:

 

  • SPEAKERS: Pure Audio Project Duet 15 Horn (Mundorf Silver Gold Oil Cap upgrade and high pass filter, Duelund 16 internal wiring and speaker cables to amp)
  • AMP: PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated (Gold Lion KT77 power tubes, Briar and Mullard NOS gain tubes)
  • DAC: HoloAudio Spring 2 Level 3 Kitsune edition
  • PHONO: Music Hall MMF-9 and McIntosh MP 100 Preamp (but I’m focusing on the digital for this thread)
  • INTERCONNECTS: Duelund 16 (Perfection interconnect)
  • STREAMER: Nagra Streamer (Nordost Blue Haven Coax)

 

I listen to Roon / Qubuz when streaming.

 

I was wondering what you all think would be my next upgrade with the biggest impact. Some thoughts:

  1. DAC: The Holo Audio is from 2019. I enjoy the sound, but haven’t compared with any other modern DAC’s in my system. I imagine DAC progress has been significant since the 2019 release of this DAC?
  2. POWER SUPPLY: I hear over and over that the power supply for the amp, DAC, and Streamer may matter quite a bit. I am curious about this…. Would this be the biggest gain of performance for my system? All power is stock presently.
  3. PRIMA LUNA UPGRADES: I hear a lot about capacitor and resistor upgrades to my amp.... 
  4. ROOM TREATMENT: Since my main system is in my living room, I am a little constrained on room treatment. It is about 12’ x 16’ with an 8’ ceiling, hardwood floors and rugs and sofas about. I could build book shelves for the corners of the room where speakers reside, but that is about the only thing I could add to this particular room at this time. (Bass traps are likely out of the question due to aesthetics)

 

Looking forward to your advice on my last big moves before I surrender my wallet to the joy of music.

 

Till next,

r.

whyrichard

Showing 1 response by namrider1

namrider1
6 posts
 

Clean power is important.  If you're using stock power cords w/o a conditioner, I think spending a little is warranted.  For me, I saw large improvements by going to all Audioquest NRG-Y3 (or better) power chords and something as inexpensive as an Audioquest Powerquest 303 or 505. Better clarity, tighter bass.

Better DAC helped get tone, clarity, and bass extension for me.

Don't sell the house or modify such WAF gets affected!

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