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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
cwatters0
20 posts
 

@oddiofyl 

i have a Vault too. Going into Aesthetix Romulus DAC   The USB input in the Romulus is supposed to be the optimal connection but the Vault is only spdif. I’ve been considering Node 130, Innuos Zen III, Auralic Aries and other used higher end streamers. I’d be very interested to now your impressions of you new streamer once you’ve had a chance to listen to it in your system. 

hankk's avatar
hankk
23 posts
 

Currently I’m using a wired Bluesound Node 2, with filtered power from a Shunyata Hydra 6. The Bluesound is feeding Qobuz to a Schiit Yggdrasil GS via a Harmonic Tech Truth Link digital coaxial cable. Then, single ended Truth Links to Rogue 99 preamp with Truth Links to Rogue m120 monos feeding Totem Forests with H/T biwires. My dedicated basement room is 12x14x6’-6” with GIK 244 and 6 ASC tube traps,(ASCs’ are wonderful). I’m trying to resist the urge to upgrade streamer and focus on just tweaks, such as cables and isolating components. I feel my system, albeit modest, could possibly be nearing its peak performance capabilities. I must say, as a testament to my Forests, they have revealed almost all changes I’ve made, which has kept me impressed with them. 
  I guess, keeping a system balanced is something to aspire to. I think we need to prepare ourselves for the consequences of changing a major component such as streamer, dac etc. For now, I’ll keep resisting the urge and focus on the details.

kraftwerkturbo-tt225
7 posts
 

Invest the most (for max bang-for-buck) in: the ANALOG parts of your sytem (including your room)!

larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 

I own a BlueSound Node 2i.  I am using a Synergistic Research Level One power cord an a Synergistic Research Level One digital cable.  I was thinking about upgrading my BlueSound to a better streamer such as a Aurender.  Are you saying you should buy a high end DAC instead?  If this is the case, it seems like the DAC inside the stream that creates the sound difference.  I hope this isn’t a dumb question to ask.

jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

I think there is a mixture of opinion. Some are saying that the DAC is all that matters and others are saying that DAC and Streamer / Transport are equally important. 

Note, I'm deliberately not discussing the analogue chain as it is well known that you need great speakers and a capable amp. 

On which note, I really like the look of the Lumin U2 Mini!

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