Which component to upgrade 1st ?
Hey folks here is my dilemma I have a budget of about 6K for a new component. I currently have Martin Logan Vantage speakers, Audio Research Ref75 amp, Audio Research LS17SE preamp, Rega P6 turntable, and a bluesound node (makes my ears hurt but you have to start somewhere) and a Chord Qutest dac. My wishlist includes Lumin T2, (sell Qutest and node), Audio Research Ref 5 used ( sell LS17SE), used Phono tube dac (currently have Mofi), or used Weiss 502 dac with either a Lumin U2 mini or Bricasti M5. I know start with source first but I can’t wrap my head around which toy first. Thoughts and be kind.
Good suggestion on Node mods. I am curious if you have auditioned and compared any of the offerings from Lumin or Aurender with your modified Node. Given the OP speakers, I would replace Chord Qutest with a good tube DAC before replacing the Node. I would try either MHDT Orchid or Border Patrol DAC. |
Border Patrol DAC is sold with a 14-days return policy, no restocking fee. Unfortunately, MHDT DAC carries a 10% restocking fee. I would defer to @hilde45 sane (no BS) advise on MHDT Orchid DAC as his setup include both Node 2 and Orchid. It’s all about synergy, sometimes it takes few auditions with multiple components to find that perfect blend within the context of your system. And please don’t go on changing everything at once, bringing in a DAC, live with it and then plan your next move. In this hobby, decisions made in haste can cost you a pretty penny :-) |
I can’t speak for anyone else but in my system, the audible difference between a BS Vault and Aurender N100 were far from subtle. I won’t pity BS Node or Vault against Aurender N20 or W20SE cause that wouldn’t be a fair comparison. One important distinction during these comparisons, I always used a very high quality DAC. So I can only recommend an audition in your system to find out :-) |
“the better the quality of speakers , the more they simply faithfully amplify the signal (Quality) fed to them.” @charles1dad …..Exactly, I rebuild my current system around my Canterbury’s:-) |
