2. digital
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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
jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

@vonhelmholtz - I'm really pleased with the Zen Stream and the Zen DAC too. There are a lot of top-quality components in there and upgraded iPowerX and AC iPurifier's really make them shine.

I actually like the challenge of getting the best out of "budget" hardware (there is cheaper out there) by tweaking cables, power and switches - it appeals to the techie in me.

I highly recommend you try an iPurifier3 from the Stream to the DAC (you can get them on Amazon with free 30 day return) - I'd be interested to know what you hear but I'm hearing a marked improvement.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,907 posts
 

He dac fr sure since it’s the sourse that can make or break your audio system .

once the signal is lessened say by a lower expensive  dac the signal or fidelity cannot made up down stream, depending on budget I recommend $2-$6600 

i hav3 been a big Denafrips fan lately I bought the Aries 2 dac, then Pontus2, then The Excellent Terminator2 , I had the Top Terminator + in my system for 2 days .

that is worth the extra $2300 upgrade IMO better speck over control clocks, 

.005 ladder resistors ,and further better filtering  more inner detail low level 

detail lost in my other more expensive dacs and never harsh a Excellent piece of technology , the Pontus2 best value for $$ spent around $2k.

roadwhorerecords
257 posts
 

I would suggest the largest investment should be in the actual music. 

jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

@roadwhorerecords - whilst Tidal is more expensive than Spotify it's not a significant cost (compared to Roon!)

(I know what you mean though and I'd love to justify starting a Vinyl collection but I can't)

mahler123
3,085 posts
 

At the OP budget it would be very hard to beat the Cambridge Audio CXN 60. For about $1200 you get a vey good DAC and a great streamer. It has a much beefier Power supply than the Bluesound Node..  It does Chromecast and AirPlay, and Chromecast sounds spectacular.  It’s really good with Internet Radio and Podcasts.  And you won’t need a cable to connect the streamer to the DAC

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