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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 wheezer1

wheezer1
12 posts
 

Greetings r,

Power supply and then room treatment/acoustics. The order is not important.

I've rebuilt/redesigned  the PS in my amps and preamp including custom wound tranny and chokes. Fortunately, I have the technical skills. Huge improvement and a rather expensive proposition to undertake.

I also applied room treatments courtesy Acoustics First many years ago. Corner traps, flat panels and deflection curve panels. Once done, the improvement is profount; I've not had the desire to swap gear 'monthly'. lol

I've JUST gone digital in my small solid state system with a Wiim Ultra. I'm not the guy to comment on DACs or streamers, other than power supply is important.

If you have the skills go for the soldering iron otherwise do the best you can with room treatments.

 

Cheers,

-W

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