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Where to invest the most in the "digital chain"?

Dear All,

I'd love to get everyone's opinions on where best to invest/invest the most, in the "digital chain".

Using my current "basic" system as an example I have very good Internet service into a very good router with the stock PSU on a dedicated power conditioner strip with an ifi AC iPurifier. From there I have Audioquest Pearl Cat6 to a Cisco 2960G with an upgraded Russ Andrews Power Cable. There follows another AQ Pearl Cat6 to an English Electronics 8Switch with an ifi iPowerX. From there I have the Chord C-Stream Ethernet to my ifi Zen Stream with a 15V ifi iPowerX. Then a Wireworld Chroma 8 cable to an ifi iPurifier3 into a Zen DAC v2 also with ifi iPowerX. The EE8, Stream and DAC benefit from a power-conditioner/surge protector and a pair of AC iPurifiers.

I've got a SotM iSO-CAT7 on order which I am intending to put between the EE 8Switch and the network transport with a dCBL-CAT7u into the network transport.

Phew, that was a lot of words!

My question is, and this applies to all systems as a generic question, where is it best to invest the most? Should the best Ethernet cables and/or switches and/or isolators be first in the chain (i.e. from the Internet source) or at the end of the chain (into the DAC/Music Streamer/Network Transport)? Similarly, where should the best power supplies be placed? Or does it all matter equally?

This is purely about the digital chain, I'm well aware that great speakers and a great AMP with good power and speaker cables make all the difference too!

I'm interested in opinions and I will of course experiment for myself.

jabbaman

Showing 2 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

 

 

 

I was told by someone in the industry to spend the money on the DAC and AMP (electrical path) and that the output from various streamers was pretty much the same, assuming a properly implemented streamer like $400 plus, but even a few for less and assuming the dac has proper clocks/jitter control. For the streamer he said focus in reliability, interface, features, ongoing support, apps . . .

 

“Someone in the industry “ and there are many in the industry ​​​​​​, each with their own opinions and experiences. You’d find quite a few in the industry who strongly advocate the critical role a quality digital source provides.

Streaming is a very popular audio forum topic and many users have testified the significant improvement heard with insertion of a high quality streamer replacing entry level units. They will not represent everyone, but many who stream would acknowledge that quality matters.

Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

 

Yes , I believe a great DAC needs an equally good digital front end. I just ordered a streamer to go with my DAC. The Vault sounds good but I question the quality of its coax digital out. I will find out Thursday if this line of thinking is correct

@oddiofyl

Yes, it seems intuitive that a high quality streamer is a necessity as it’s the front end source of the digital signal path. How can that not matter? I believe you and @ghdprentice are on to something. Anyway you’ll find out for yourself in a few days and make direct comparisons between your 2 steamers. I look forward to the outcome of your listening.

Charles

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