One thing to note, if you subscribe to Qobuz via a web browser rather than the Android App, it is £3 per month cheaper! There's obviously a Google Play Store tax there.
Advice for Streaming Newbies - Best Bang for Our Bucks
Hi All,
I'm currently building up my 'streaming only' system having read more reviews and forums in the last three weeks than in the preceding three months!
I'm a firm believer that I don't need to spend thousands upon thousands to get the best out of Tidal but conversely, there are good investments to be made to get the best sound.
I'd like to call on your collective wisdom for either general recommendations or specific product recommendations that give good "bang for the buck".
To start the ball rolling, my specific system looks like this:
Tidal Premium
5G Mobile Router with stock PSU (on separate extension lead)
Audioquest Pearl CAT6 Ethernet Cable to English Electric 8 Switch with stock PSU (on shared core extension lead with 2 x ifi AC iPurifiers)
Chord C Ethernet Cable to ifi Zen Stream with stock PSU (12v iPower 2) (on shared core extension)
Wireworld Chroma USB3.0 to ifi Zen DAC v2 with ifi iPower X (on shared core extension)
ifi 4.4mm Connector to ifi Zen Can with stock PSU (on shared core extension)
Topping PA5 with stock PSU (on separate extension lead)
Audioquest Rocket 11 Speaker Cable to Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Speakers
I have an ifi iPower Elite on Order and two more iPower X's
Possible upgrades I am considering:
Improved PSU for the Router
Improved Power Cable to the iPower Elite
More use of iPower Elite's
eno Ethernet Filter
Gigafoil v4
Improved Ethernet Cables
Improved USB Cable
Additional AC iPurifiers for other extensions
Starting from a basic system what areas of investment have yielded the best results? An improved PSU on the DAC or the Swtich? An ethernet filter? A better ethernet cable? etc.?
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- 51 posts total
I am a "boomer" (if you like) who built a system for classic rock and R&B. Although I have spent ~12k on my system, one simple upgrade this past week completely changed it. I replaced a more "budget minded" TEAC NT-505 network player/streamer/DAC with a Lumin T2. Amazing difference in soundstage and overall quality. Matched with my McIntosh MA8900 and a pair of JBL L100 Classics, my sound is so much better and the T2 balances well with the warmer McIntosh. I buy "quality" cables but would never dive into the real expensive cables or power supplies. Maybe you should evaluate that cost and use it towards your upgrades. I use Tidal and Qobuz. From my experience much of the quality lies in the original recording itself. I only keep both for more diverse Hi-Res music from specific artists. FYI: The T2 is being replaced by Lumin with the new T3. Buyers might find some really good deals out there on the T2 as it is slowly moved off the shelves for the T3, I sure did. |
Great advice @badger_erich and something I definitely have in mind as time goes on. I'm not far behind you on the age front as I am rapidly closing in on my half-century. I've heard many good things about Lumin and I'm certainly curious about the art of the possible with a better DAC (and Amp and Speakers!) |
@hickamore +1 Streamer is significantly important, the upstream of your system. |
- 51 posts total