Where’s My Weakest Link?


Hi All,

I often find myself wondering where to put resources (money) to take my system to the next level. Over the years I have slowly acquired equipment and sometimes I am impressed with the “upgrade”, others I am disappointed with the change/cost ratio. I recently purchased Jim Smiths book, Get Better Sound and was blown away with the changes I was able to make with what I have but I am now back at crossroads of , whats next?

I am running a Bluesound Node 2i> Carver C-16 pre> Conrad Johnson Sonographe SA250> Thiel 1.2.

So what do you think the weakest link is / whats the smartest upgrade?

Thanks in advance!
otterbein

Showing 2 responses by mahler123

Nice dig, Otterbein (-:.
I’m new to the thread and after being turned off by some of the rants here from the Usual Suspects, haven’t read all the posts, but my answer to your OP would be the DAC.  The Node 2i canbe made to sound a lot better as you experiment with different DACs.  I didn’t see a budget so Would withhold a more specific recommendation pending that.
Otterbein 

I haven’t heard to many DACs in that range, but the Mytek Liberty and the Schiit DACs in that range would be high on my list.

if you buy used, perhaps a Benchmark or a Chord QTest.

All will be huge upgrade over the DAC in the Node2i.

I don’t know much about your speakers, and they may be an issue, but I can tell you for sure that your DAC could be significantly upgraded