What to do next . . .?


This is my first post, so I'm not sure if it belongs here.

I'v been what I call an audiophile for about 15+ years now, but the last 5 years I have been dormant. When I was into it on a day be day thing I really didn't have the money for it but what I ended up with (till this day) is a Conrad Johnson MF 2100 amp, California Audio Labs DX-1 CD player, Acurus LS 11 preamp and a pair of 2Ce Vandersteen speakers.

My question is what part of this setup should I upgrade to better my sound. My gut instinct is the CD player, but I've been so long "out of the game" of audio I'm not sure where to start?

Any help would be appreciated, and if this is in the wrong forum just let me know and I'll post it there.

On a side note I also own an Denon 2910 dvd/cd player and Im wondering which is better the DX-1 or 2910 - but maybe I should post this on the digital forum
last_lemming

Showing 1 response by minorl

Please do one change at a time and get confortable with that one change first. I would not get rid of the CD or DVD player. What I would do first is get a good DAC and use the CD player or CD player as a transport. The DACs that are in CD players or DVD players are typically (note I said typically, not always) not of great quality, because the power supplies are really not up to snuff and other things are not quite high-end quality in the internal DAC. Borrow a decent DAC, plug it in and you will hear a very marked difference in the sound quality. I guarantee. If you don't have the money for a new one, many used ones are available on Audiogon. For example, a Theta Gen V dac is wonderful for only a couple of hundred bucks. Heavy as a power amp with a power supply and internal circuitry that is high-end. Try it. I wouldn't change anything else until I add the DAC first. Don't change the pre-amp or power amp or speakers yet. One change at a time. Add the DAC first. Borrow and listen. If you can't borrow, then buy a used one inexpensive on Audiogon before investing large sums on something that you can't hear at home first.

enjoy